Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

4.7 from 15 votes
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Easy, fresh, and flavorful Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken is a healthy and versatile dinner option. With only five main ingredients, you can toss it together in just minutes. When you come home you’ll be ready to serve it with your favorite sides. It’s a great crockpot recipe for busy nights!

Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken – Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipe!

Crockpot chicken recipes don’t have to be heavy and rich. This pulled chicken is a light and healthy dish 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.

And when you use your slow cooker, it’s super fast and easy to make. The crockpot truly does most of the work. Just toss everything in and come home to delicious aromas throughout the house. Right before you serve it, shred the chicken and toss in basil to add that freshness!

Stewing the chicken in balsamic vinegar infuses it with moisture and sweet, bold flavor. And the addition of the tomatoes and basil makes this comforting dish light and bright. If you want a little more punch, drizzle it with syrupy reduced balsamic just before serving.

Speaking of serving, you have every option from hearty pasta or sandwiches to light salads or cauliflower rice. You can truly make it your own!

Shredded slow cooker chicken with tomatoes and basil on a white plate on top of a red placemat with silver salt and pepper shakers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is not your mama’s crockpot chicken recipe. Well, it’s not MY mama’s crockpot chicken recipe, since hers usually include canned cream of mushroom soup or a box of stuffing mix or cream cheese. I love this tomato basil chicken because it’s MY type of slow cooker chicken recipe, and I think you’ll love it too. Here’s why…

  • Fresh flavors. So many crockpot recipes are weighed down with heavy ingredients. Not this one! Everything is fresh, simple, and healthy.
  • Dump and go. Even though this isn’t an old school slow cooker meal, it’s still one where you just have to toss everything right into the crockpot and let it cook. No fussy prepping or pre-cooking anything.
  • Super versatile. The recipe itself is naturally gluten free, low carb, and paleo. So your choice of sides can make it super light, keep it keto, or even turn it into a comfort food meal. Keep ready for my Make it a Meal ideas.
Shredded Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes and a sprig of Basil on a white rectangular plate on top of a red placemat.

Crockpot Chicken Ingredients

With only five main ingredients, you can throw this together even on the busiest mornings and still come home to a fabulous dinner. Here is a quick list of what you’ll need. See the recipe card for the full amounts.

  • Olive oil. Just a little for the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can keep them whole, but if they are really large, you may want to cut them into chunks.
  • Salt and pepper.
  • Balsamic vinegar. Use a good quality balsamic, and make sure it is gluten free.
  • Garlic. I like to use a clove of fresh, but you can use the kind from a jar.
  • Grape or cherry tomatoes. Keep them whole – no need to take the time to cut them since that will make them turn to mush.
  • Fresh basil. Here, fresh truly is best for that bright flavor. You can use dried in a pinch, but you’ll need to add it before cooking.
A plate of raw chicken and bowls of olive oil, grape tomatoes, olive oil and one with salt, pepper, garlic cloves, and a sprig of basil.

How to Make Tomato Basil Chicken

Add, cook, shred, enjoy! That’s really all there is to it. Let’s briefly go over the steps.

Add the ingredients. Drizzle the olive oil into the bottom or the slow cooker. Add the chicken, salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and tomatoes.

Cover and cook. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily.

A hand placing a lid on top of a filled crockpot with tomatoes in it.

Shred and stir. Remove the cooked chicken to a plate. Use forks or tongs and shred it. Then return it to the crockpot with the fresh basil, and gently toss everything together, trying not to crush all of the tomatoes.

Make it a Meal

Based on your side dish choice, you can decide if you want to enjoy this slow cooker tomato basil chicken as a hearty comfort food dish, or a keto or even Whole 30 meal. We often enjoy it with Parmesan Polenta, but it would be equally tasty over over pasta or rice. You can also get more creative with these ideas.

Closeup of slow cooker chicken with fresh tomatoes and basil on a plate.

Things You’ll Need

  • 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. I have multiple sizes on my kitchen.
Shredded slow cooker chicken with tomatoes and basil on a white plate on top of a red placemat with silver salt and pepper shakers.
4.7 from 15 votes

Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken

Easy, fresh, and flavorful Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken is a healthy and versatile dinner option. With only five main ingredients, you can toss it together in just minutes. When you come home you'll be ready to serve it with your favorite sides. It's a great crockpot recipe for busy nights!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 6 hours
Total: 6 hours 15 minutes

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 Facts
Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken
Amount Per Serving (6 oz)
Calories 269 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 107mg36%
Sodium 381mg16%
Potassium 751mg21%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 38g76%
Vitamin A 350IU7%
Vitamin C 5.4mg7%
Calcium 21mg2%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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42 Comments
  1. Jessy R

    5 stars
    Made this today and I’m happy to report there are ZERO leftovers. The kids ate theirs over noodles, I ate mine with a salad. I did make a balsamic reduction and I loved it (the kids preferred without it). Easy to make, delicious to eat. Thanks for posting.

  2. 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!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      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!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so happy to hear that your family of picky eaters enjoyed the pulled chicken, Eleanor!

  3. 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!

  4. Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily

    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

  5. katie

    in yiur tomato basil pulled chicken.. in the directions you say ass chicken instead of add chicken. might wanna change that

  6. 5 stars
    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!!

  7. 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!

  8. 5 stars
    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.

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