Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil is easy, fresh, and flavorful with only five main ingredients. You can make it a hearty comfort food meal by serving it over pasta. Or keep it light, gluten free, and low carb with cauliflower rice. It’s also a great healthy crock pot recipe for busy nights!
Orignally published in July 2014.
A while back, I showed you how I “roast” an entire chicken in my crock pot, when I shared this Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Roast Chicken recipe. At the same time, I told you about the garden my kiddo wanted to plant. With my history of, well, killing plants, I was fearful things would not turn out well.
However, I was totally wrong.
Our three tomato plants, each in their own giant pot, went crazy! It was like a tomato plant jungle. I actually think I could have lost my kids in them.
Day after day I could fill larger and larger bowls. I was putting them in Tomato Feta Cucumber Salad and Tomato Spinach Feta Frittata. We were scooping them up with chips in my Mango Salsa.
If you want more fresh tomato recipes, here are 15 of the Best Low-Carb and Gluten-Free Tomato Recipes You Need This Summer!
And, of course, the little guy was shoveling fistfuls into his mouth.
I even roasted big batches with oregano, basil, onion, red wine, and balsamic vinegar, then blended it down to make sauce with I stuck in my freezer. And this was just tons and tons of wee little tomatoes from two plants!
Total tomato success! Well, except for the fact that my big guy still won’t eat a tomato. Oh well, his loss. It’s also the reason I keep reading him this book.
One day, I pulled another big bowl of those tomatoes off of the bushes and snipped some basil. Then with literally like five minutes of prep work, I made this slow cooker chicken recipe…
Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
Crockpot chicken recipes don’t have to be heavy and rich. This pulled chicken is a light and healthy dish that is super versatile with flavors everyone in the family loves. It is a fabulous way to use up garden tomatoes and the summer abundance of fresh basil. Or it can add a bit of brightness to a cold winter day.
Just toss everything in the slow cooker and come home to delicious aromas through the house. Right before you serve it, shred the chicken and toss in basil to add that freshness!
Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- Balsamic vinegar
- Garlic
- Grape or cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Optional balsamic reduction for serving
Equipment
- Slow cooker – I have made this often in my larger Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker because it was the only one I had. But an inexpensive 4-quart slow cooker will be fine too.
- Garlic press – with so few ingredients, I definitely recommend using fresh garlic for the best flavor. A garlic press ensures you don’t end up with any big chunks of garlic.
- Tongs – these are very helpful for shredding the chicken and serving it.
Directions overview – scroll to the recipe card for the full set of instructions
- Coat the bottom of your slow cooker with olive oil.
- Add chicken, salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and tomatoes.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Shred chicken.
- Stir in basil.
Side dishes
Based on your side dish choice, you can decide if you want to enjoy this slow cooker chicken as a hearty comfort food dish, or a keto or even Whole 30 meal.
- We enjoyed it over polenta, but it would be equally tasty over pasta or rice.
- You can even spoon it onto regular or gluten free ciabatta rolls and melt some fresh mozzarella for a fabulous sandwich.
- If you have two crockpots, try it with Slow Cooker Parmesan Quinoa.
- For a low carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice or whipped cauliflower.
- Enjoy it alongside Greek Zoodles Salad.
More crockpot chicken recipes
- Orange Saffron Slow Cooker Roast Chicken brings exotic flavors to classic comfort food.
- Start Slow Cooker Orange Sesame Chicken and you won’t have to wait for takeout, plus it’s healthier.
- Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is a classic dish that you can cook without even being home.
- It’s Indian food made easy with Lightened Up Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken and Black Beans makes Taco Tuesday super easy.
- Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken from Family Food on the Table has intoxicating sweet-savory flavors and aromas.
- Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken with Artichokes from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen is also a flavor-packed option.
Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe with Tomatoes, Basil, and Balsamic
Stewing this crockpot pulled chicken in balsamic vinegar infuses it with moisture and sweet, bold flavor. The addition of the tomatoes plus a sprinkling of basil just before serving makes this comforting dish light and fresh. Then, just for a little more punch, drizzle with syrupy reduced balsamic at the end.
I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a review on Pinterest or photo on Instagram!
Tag me @cupcakekalechip and use #cupcakesandkalechips!
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic crushed or finely minced
- 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes left whole
- 1/4 cup basil leaves cut into chiffonade (fine ribbons)
- Homemade or store-bought balsamic reduction if desired.
Instructions
- Coat the bottom of your slow cooker with oil. Add the chicken, salt, pepper, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and tomatoes.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and falls apart easily.
- Gently shred the chicken with two forks, add the basil, and toss together to gently combine the chicken, tomatoes, juices and basil.
- Serve over pasta, polenta, or rice, or alongside roasted vegetables and drizzle with balsamic reduction, if desired.
Nutrition
Enjoy!
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Paul says
Congrats on your growing success!
Recipe looks really yummy 🙂
Thanks Paul
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you, Paul!
Ushmana Rai says
Ok, I think I have an issue here. I’m seeing all kinds of recipes made using a slow cooker and still don’t have one. I know what I’m adding on my shopping list… As for the recipe itself, tomatoes and basil will automatically add some flavor to anything. If it’s pulled chicken, you definitely have a winner!
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I hope you’re able to get a slow cooker soon. I think you will love how convenient it is for making meals… especially on busy days!
Eleanor says
This was a great dish. Didn’t use any sugar at all and still came out great. Even for a bunch of picky eaters!
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I’m so happy to hear that your family of picky eaters enjoyed the pulled chicken, Eleanor!
plasterers bristol says
Hmm these look delicious, thanks for posting up this recipe, looks quite simple to make.
Simon
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
It’s really easy!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
This looks absolutely wonderful! I need to go get some chicken!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
You do! Thanks!
Cindys+Recipes+and+Writings says
This sounds perfect over polenta! Yum!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yes, it absolutely is!
Amee says
Sounds delicious Brianne. I love the idea of shredding it and serving over polenta. I’ll have to try this for my GF hubs!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Amee! I love using polenta where people would typically use pasta.
SHERRY says
I think in your instructions you meant to say add – lol
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Ooops!
[email protected] Tastes Good says
That is so exciting about your ‘mater plants! I bet the kids loved watching them grow. Tomatoes and basil make such a classic flavor combo. What a great idea to pair it with the pulled chicken. It sounds absolutely delicious!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yes, the kids enjoyed playing in the tomato jungle 🙂
MealDivA says
What a yummy garden-to-table recipe! Mmmmm
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yes, I was quite proud to actually have something from my garden to bring to my table!
Wendy T says
How do we “ass the chicken” in the first instruction?
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Ugh! Typing too late at night. Who put the “d” next to the “s”?!
Lisa says
Pork shoulder is on sale this week, and I have an empty slow cooker just waiting to go to work!
Nichole says
I love finding new combos for chicken to shred in the slow-cooker. This is a wonderful combo! I can’t wait to try this!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yes, can never have enough chicken or slow cooker recipes. Combining the two is even better!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
What’s your secret? I can’t get tomatoes to grow to save my life! Luckily most of my kids love tomatoes and I know they’ll love this dish! Pinned! oxox
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I wish I had a secret – we are all still in shock 🙂
katie says
in yiur tomato basil pulled chicken.. in the directions you say ass chicken instead of add chicken. might wanna change that
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Who put the d and s next to each other on the keyboard? Sorry! Fixed!
Tara says
Huh, great minds think alike as I did a tomato basil themed recipe also. This looks amazing and with a few ingredients it is a winner of a recipe!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Tomatoes and basil is always a winning combination in any form!
Liz says
I would happily take Bug’s share of your tomato crop…lucky you! Your pulled chicken looks divine…can’t wait to make it for the family!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
He’d be thrilled to “share” 😉
Tracy Guida says
I must make this tonight! I am drooling over the pictures.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
YUM! What a great crockpot idea. I also had a fabulous tomato season this year and still have some beautiful tomatoes to use. And even though my basil plant went through a hail-acious hail storm a couple of weeks ago, there’s still some leaves. Reading the title of this recipe made me instantly hungry, thanks for sharing and nice cooking with you for #SS.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I hope your basil resuscitates a bit! And it is nice to still have a little summer produce in the fall.
Renee says
Congrats on your tomato growing success! And glad you got to use them for this great recipe.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Renee. I’m proud of us!
Hezzi-D says
Thsi sounds like a delicious and healthy entree to cook in the slow cooker. Love the addition of tomatoes and basil.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Heather. It really is a lighter flavor than many slow cooker comfort food recipes.