If you crave a comforting meal that basically cooks itself and tastes like it came straight from a cozy farmhouse kitchen, Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is about to become your new best friend. This dish wraps juicy chicken breasts in a luscious, velvety tomato-basil sauce with just the right whisper of garlic and Parmesan, then lets all those magical flavors mingle together in your trusty slow cooker. It’s the kind of weeknight hero you can assemble in minutes, then come home to the most inviting aroma and a dinner that feels special without any fuss.

Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the absolute joys of making Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is the way a handful of easy-to-find ingredients come together into something truly mouthwatering. Each component adds its own little punch of flavor or texture, so don’t skip the small things — they really count!

Chicken breasts: These act as the tender, protein-rich base that soaks up every drop of sauce; boneless, skinless saves you time.
Crushed tomatoes: Offer a hearty, rich tomato flavor and help create that signature creamy sauce.
Chicken broth: Adds depth and keeps everything moist as it slow cooks for hours.
Garlic: Three cloves might sound bold, but they become perfectly mellow and flavorful when slow-cooked.
Onion powder: Gives subtle sweetness and a savory background note, balancing the tomato’s acidity.
Dried basil: Infuses the sauce with that earthy, classic Italian herb flavor.
Dried oregano: A hint brings an extra layer of warmth and a touch of Mediterranean charm.
Salt: Helps all the other flavors shine; don’t forget to taste and adjust at the end.
Black pepper: Adds a gentle kick and rounds out the tomato and creaminess.
Heavy cream: This is your secret to that dreamy, rich texture everyone will swoon over.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce, lending saltiness and irresistibly nutty notes.
Fresh spinach or chopped fresh basil: These go in right at the end for a pop of color, nutrition, and freshness — choose whichever you love.
Red pepper flakes (optional): If you like a little heat, a pinch here will wake up your taste buds.
Chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional): Totally elevates your dinner into restaurant territory.

How to Make Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

Step 1: Layer the Chicken

Start by arranging your boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the very bottom of your slow cooker. This simple step makes sure your chicken cooks evenly and drinks up all those amazing flavors as everything simmers away. If you prefer chicken thighs for extra juiciness, swap them in without hesitation.

Step 2: Mix the Saucy Base

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, minced garlic, onion powder, dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. You’re basically building a warm hug in a bowl here, and the aroma is already droolworthy! Once mixed, pour this irresistible sauce directly over the chicken in your slow cooker.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Pop the lid on your slow cooker, then cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours. The chicken will turn beautifully tender, and the sauce will become fragrant and flavorful. (If you’re prepping before work, the low setting makes this a perfect “set it and forget it” meal.)

Step 4: Creamy Magic Time

About 20 minutes before you’re ready to eat, briefly lift out the chicken and, using two forks, gently shred or thickly slice it — whichever you and your family enjoy most. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes rich and creamy, then return the chicken to the slow cooker. Add your fresh spinach (or extra basil) and give it all a good stir. Let it cook another 10–15 minutes, just until the greens are wilted and everything is heated through.

Step 5: Serve It Up

Ladle the Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken (best keyphrase ever, right?) and sauce over your favorite rice, pasta, or even creamy mashed potatoes. Top it all off with a sprinkle of fresh basil, and dinner feels like a gift to yourself.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

Garnishes

The best finishing touch for Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or even freshly grated Parmesan. This brightens the flavor, makes the plate pop with color, and gives off that “I went the extra mile” vibe with almost zero effort. A light dusting of red pepper flakes adds a gentle heat if you’re a fan of spice.

Side Dishes

This dreamy, saucy chicken is practically begging to be soaked up by something! Fluffy white rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or a swirl of pasta are all ideal for catching the creamy tomato sauce. Consider tossing together a crisp green salad with balsamic vinaigrette or a loaf of rustic bread if you want the full comfort-food experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to make your Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken a showstopper? Try serving it family-style in a big, shallow dish topped with more vibrant greens and a scatter of basil ribbons. Or, pile the chicken on toasted ciabatta for a rustic open-faced sandwich, or spoon it onto creamy polenta for a beautiful Italian-inspired twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3–4 days, and the flavors actually deepen over time, making lunch the next day extra enticing!

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully — just let it cool fully, then pour it into freezer-safe bags or containers. Label and date, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to enjoy; this makes meal prep on a busy week an absolute breeze.

Reheating

Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave in short bursts, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir often to prevent sticking, and always check that the chicken is piping hot all the way through.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are delightfully juicy and soak up the creamy sauce just as well, making your Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken even richer. Simply adjust the cooking time as needed since thighs may cook slightly faster than thicker breasts.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can replace the heavy cream with coconut cream and omit or use a dairy-free Parmesan substitute. The sauce will still be rich and creamy, though you’ll detect a slightly different, but delicious, flavor profile.

Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?

Definitely! Sliced mushrooms, diced zucchini, or bell peppers make wonderful additions. Just add them in with the chicken and sauce at the beginning, and they’ll become tender as everything cooks together.

What pasta shapes work best for serving?

Short, sauce-catching pastas like penne, rigatoni, or even rotini are perfect partners for Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken because all that creamy sauce clings beautifully to every bite. Of course, you can’t go wrong with classic spaghetti or fettuccine either!

Is this recipe gluten free?

Yes — as long as you serve it over gluten-free pasta, rice, potatoes, or polenta. Just double-check your chicken broth label to ensure it doesn’t contain hidden gluten if you’re cooking for someone with celiac or a gluten sensitivity.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like coming home to the inviting aroma and unbeatable comfort of Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken. Whether you’re cooking for picky kids, impressing a dinner guest, or just treating yourself, this easy recipe delivers huge flavor with very little work. Give it a try this week, and there’s a very good chance it’ll become a regular star at your table!

Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich flavors of this Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken, a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken simmered in a luscious tomato cream sauce with aromatic basil and garlic is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce:

1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Additional:

2 cups fresh spinach or 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Chopped fresh basil for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours until chicken is cooked through.
Shred the Chicken: Remove chicken, shred or slice, then return to slow cooker.
Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Mix in spinach or basil until wilted.
Heat Through: Let everything warm through for 10–15 minutes. Serve hot over rice, pasta, or potatoes, garnished with basil.