Crockpot Italian Chicken

Crockpot Italian Chicken is a delightful and effortless dish that brings the robust flavors of Italian cuisine right to your dinner table with minimal effort. This recipe combines tender, juicy chicken with a medley of tomatoes, Italian herbs, and a splash of white wine, all slowly cooked to perfection. The result is a savory, aromatic meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. Simply set it in the morning, and by dinnertime, you’ll have a hearty, flavorful dish that pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.

Ingredients:

• Chicken:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Garnish:
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
   2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. (Browning is optional but adds flavor.)
2. Assemble in Crockpot:
   1. Place the sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of the crockpot.
   2. Arrange the browned chicken breasts on top of the onions and garlic.
   3. Pour the diced tomatoes and their juices, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and white wine (if using) over the chicken.
   4. Sprinkle with dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
3. Cook:
   1. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
4. Finish:
   1. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the sliced black olives (if using) and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
   2. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
5. Serve:
   1. Serve the Crockpot Italian Chicken over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
   2. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy your Crockpot Italian Chicken, a dish that’s bursting with Italian flavors and cooked to perfection with minimal effort!