Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Shredded Chicken

📝Shopping list

To get started on this easy recipe, you need these simple ingredients:

• boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• marinara sauce - homemade or jarred
• canned diced tomatoes
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt
• dried basil
• full-fat coconut milk
• fresh basil 
• salt and black pepper - to taste
• Parmesan cheese - optional garnish

🔪Instructions

This great recipe just involves a few simple steps:

Preparing your slow cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Cooking

🍅Start by placing raw chicken breast(s) into a greased slow cooker.   

🍅Next, add in all remaining ingredients except fresh basil and coconut milk.  

🍅Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.  

🍅After cooking, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and set aside. 

🍅Temper your coconut milk by stirring some of the hot liquid from your slow cooker into it.  This will bring up the temperature of the coconut milk and help to avoid curdling when you stir it back into the hot slow cooker.  

🍅Add coarsely chopped cilantro and tempered coconut milk into the liquid in your  and stir to fully combine.

🍅Shred chicken and stir it into your creamy sauce.  Your easy slow cooker recipe is now ready to serve!!

🍽Serving suggestions

This is one of our favorite slow cooker meals.  It is full of flavor and extremely versatile.  

Spaghetti noodles are the perfect plating partner.  Veggie noodles such as zucchini or hearts of palm noodles (pictured) are great as well. Top with a heaping serving of some yummy freshly grated parmesan cheese for extra deliciousness!

The creamy tomato sauce in this dish is great served over cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes, or mashed cauliflower.  My personal favorite is to serve it on a brioche-style bun topped with a slice of a sharp provolone cheese.

This easy slow cooker chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.  All you need to add is a side salad and your perfect easy dinner recipe is ready to serve.  Top with red pepper flakes to spice it up.  

🔁Substitution ideas

1.  If you prefer a less creamy chicken dish, broth-based tomato basil chicken may be for you!
2. Substitute fresh minced garlic and onion in place of dried in this delicious meal recipe.
3. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs (dark meat) in place of breasts
4. Use heavy cream in place of coconut milk for a dairy version of this crockpot creamy tomato basil chicken
5. For a richer tomato flavor, add a small can of tomato paste at the start of cooking.   

Storing

Store leftovers of this crockpot creamy tomato basil shredded chicken recipe in an airtight container or zip-top bag.   Leftovers will store perfectly in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Allow frozen chicken to defrost overnight in the refrigerator.  Stir ingredients together fully before cooking and again before serving.  This will offset any separation that may have occurred during freezing. 

😉Hints & hacks

1. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
2. Use a meat thermometer to confirm crockpot chicken breasts are cooked all the way through. Chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
3. There are a lot of different opinions regarding the best way to shred chicken. Some people prefer to use a potato masher while others use the beaters of a handheld mixer. This chicken will be so tender it will be very easy to shred with two forks. I like to keep it simple 😉
4. The perfect way to store leftovers of this slow cooker recipe is in individual serving-sized containers.  This makes for easy grab-and-go meals on busy nights.
5. Using slow cooker liners is an optional step. I purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
6. Always double-check to make sure your slow cooker is on and plugged in!!! Coming home to a cold slow cooker is the worst!