Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken
Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken is an easy Italian-inspired dinner made with tender chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce with garlic and aromatic herbs. This comforting crockpot meal is perfect for busy days and delivers authentic Mediterranean flavor with minimal effort.
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- slow cooker
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and black pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- Spread the chopped onion in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes over the vegetables and herbs.
- Place the browned chicken on top of the tomato sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, or until the chicken is tender.
- Shred the chicken using two forks.
- Stir the shredded chicken into the tomato sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes & Wine Advice
Recipe Notes
Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds extra depth of flavor to the finished dish. Chicken thighs remain especially juicy, but chicken breasts also work well if you prefer leaner meat. Serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, pasta, or creamy polenta for a satisfying meal. Leftovers taste even better the next day as the herbs continue to develop in the tomato sauce.Wine Advice
A classic Chianti Classico pairs beautifully with the tomato and herb sauce. A smooth Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is another excellent Italian pairing.Nutrition values
Calories: 325 kcal | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Protein: 36 g | Fat: 16 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Sodium: 430 mg | Sugar: 6 g