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    Home » Entrees

    Published: Jul 16, 2021 · Modified: Sep 30, 2022 · By Susan

    Lazy Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Tenders

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    slow cooker Italian chicken tenders served on a plate over pasta
    slow cooker Italian chicken tenders served on a plate over pasta

    Slow cooker Italian chicken tenders are an easy one pot crockpot meal that has something for everyone. Classic Italian flavoring, diced tomatoes and tender broccoli make for a light but flavorful treat.

    Jump to Recipe

    Chicken again? Yep! But this easy recipe is full of flavor yet still light and healthy. It is a great warm meal in the winter, but light enough to serve on a hot summer day.  

    This yummy dish, made with chicken tenderloins, is perfect for busy weeknights. It is a super easy crockpot recipe that the whole family will love. And, even better - this delicious meal is a true one-pot wonder!

    Jump to:
    • 📝Shopping list
    • 🥣Assembly
    • Meal prep option
    • 🍽Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • 😉Hints and hacks
    • ❓FAQ's
    • 📖 Recipe

    📝Shopping list

    Italian chicken tenders ingredients with labels

    For this easy crock pot meal you will need:

    • Chicken - chicken tenders are my go-to, but breasts and thighs work well too.
    • Onion - a small diced red onion is perfect, but any onion will do
    • Broccoli - fresh, cut into florets
    • Garlic - minced
    • Italian seasoning
    • Diced tomatoes - Canned, diced tomatoes with all the liquid works best. For extra flavor, those with Italian seasonings already added are great.
    • Green pepper - diced
    • Salt and black pepper - optional, to taste

    🥣Assembly

    Raw broccoli on top of remaining cooked ingredients

    This is one of those super easy dinner recipes that slow cookers are famous for. All main ingredients, other than broccoli, can be added directly to your slow cooker at one time. Just turn to low heat and you are ready to walk away for several hours.

    To keep your broccoli al dente, add it in for the last 45 minutes of slow cooking time. This will allow it to remain more firm and lightly cooked.

    If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!

    Meal prep option

    This slow cooker chicken recipe is a great one to assemble beforehand and store in your refrigerator. Mix all ingredients other than broccoli together in a fridge-safe container or bag. When you are ready, pop the mixture into your crockpot and cook on the low setting.  

    All ingredients in slow cooker before cooking

    🍽Serving suggestions

    Slow cooker Italian chicken tenders are great served over pasta (as shown in the pictures). It is also wonderful over rice, cauliflower rice or my personal favorite: mashed cauliflower! Mashed potatoes are also a great sidekick.

    Topping your Italian chicken & broccoli with fresh shredded or shaved parmesan cheese is the perfect finishing touch. And, of course, a crusty Italian loaf is always a welcome accompaniment as is a crisp green salad.

    .

    Storing leftovers

    Leftovers will store perfectly in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for several months. Storing in single-serving-sized airtight containers or bags is an easy way to prep future reheat-and-eat meals. Leftovers are also delicious served cold on top of a salad or as a sandwich.

    Finished dish plated on pasta topped with parmesan

    😉Hints and hacks

    1. Chicken is considered safe to eat by the FDA when it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. I recommend using a meat thermometer to confirm when your chicken is fully cooked and to help avoid overcooking.
    2. All slow cookers are different and may have slightly different cook times. The first time you make this dish note how long it takes for your chicken to reach 165℉. This will make your timing for subsequent chicken dishes easier to gauge.
    3. Slow cooker liners are an optional but helpful hack whenever using a crockpot. They allow you to cook with little to no cleanup. I like to buy mine in bulk for a better per-piece price. 
    4. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
    Finished dish plated with some bread

    ❓FAQ's

    Can I cook raw chicken in my slow cooker

    Yes! Raw chicken can be safely cooked in a slow cooker. The best way to confirm it is safe to eat is to use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165 degrees f.

    My chicken tenders are dry and rubbery. Can they be saved?

    White meat chicken can dry out quickly. If your tenders are more dried out than you like, use two forks to pull them into shreds. Thoroughly mix shredded chicken in with the sauce in your slow cooker. That can often make a difference and help to rescue over cooked chicken. 

    Do I have to use tenderloins?

    Nope! You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into chicken strips.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and affiliate links.

    📖 Recipe

    Close up of finished dish topped with chopped parsley

    Lazy Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Tenders

    Italian chicken & broccoli is an easy one pot crockpot meal that has something for everyone. Classic Italian flavoring, diced tomatoes and tender broccoli make for a light but flavorful meal.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 174kcal
    Author: The Lazy slow cooker
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    Equipment

    • 4 quart or larger slow cooker
    • Knife and cutting board
    • measuring spoons
    • whisk
    • slow cooker liner (optional)

    Ingredients

    • 1½ lbs chicken tenders This dish is also great with chicken thighs or breasts cut into strips
    • 29 oz diced tomatoes Italian flavored canned tomatoes are best
    • 1 small onion diced
    • 1 small green pepper diced
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
    • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 2 cups broccoli florets
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • add all ingredients other than broccoli to slow cooker
      1½ lbs chicken tenders, 29 oz diced tomatoes, 1 small onion, 1 small green pepper, 1 tablespoon garlic, 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper
    • stir to combine, cover and cook for 3-5 hours on low.
    • add broccoli florets to slow cooker for last 45 minutes or so of cooking and stir to combine.
      2 cups broccoli florets
    • Salt and pepper to taste prior to serving

    Notes

    serving suggestion:  Serve over pasta, rice, or riced cauliflower and top with shredded parmesan cheese (optional)
    see above for prep in advance instructions.  
    *Calorie information includes recipe ingredients only, not pasta, rice or cauliflower, or parmesan cheese 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 825mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 441IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Have you tried this recipe? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!

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    More Chicken

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    • Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros
    • Lazy Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
    • Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken
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      Recipe Rating




    1. karen eastwood says

      March 18, 2022 at 6:16 am

      can you freeze this dish as i am batch cooking as there is only one of me 🙂

      Reply
      • The Lazy Slow Cooker says

        March 18, 2022 at 10:17 am

        Hi Karen! Yes! You can definitely freeze this dish after it has been cooked. I like to freeze leftovers in individual serving sizes so we have easy grab-and-reheat meals. Sometimes I will toss some fresh broccoli florets in when I am reheating this dish. This is optional, but broccoli can get a bit mushy during the freezing and reheating process. It is still delicious, though. I feel like adding some fresh broccoli helps to perk things us a bit. I hope this helps and that you enjoy the dish! Thanks for asking!

    2. Cindy Williams says

      October 03, 2022 at 7:36 am

      Hi is the nutrition info for the whole recipe or for serving? Thank you

      Reply
      • The Lazy Slow Cooker says

        October 04, 2022 at 9:32 am

        Hi Cindy,
        The nutrition information is for one serving and it includes the items in the recipe only (not the pasta in the picture). Thanks for asking so I could clarify for everyone!

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    Welcome to The Lazy Slow Cooker. I am so happy you are here! My name is Susan (yep - I am Lazy Susan!) and I am the recipe developer/blogger behind these posts. I am the mom of three amazing but super busy kids and the wife of one awesome and also super busy guy. All 5 of us have very different schedules and I would not survive mealtime without my crockpot. Read More…

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