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.
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Chicken again? Yep! But this one isn't boring or overdone. It is full of flavor and yet still light and healthy. It is a great warm meal in the winter, but light enough to serve on a hot summer day.
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📝Shopping list
For this easy crockpot meal you will need:
- Chicken - chicken tenders are my go to, but thighs work well too and will stay more moist
- 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 type seasonings already added are great.
- Green pepper - one small, diced pepper
🥣Assembly
This is one of those super easy dump and go recipes. Everything can be added directly to your slow cooker, mixed together and then forgotten for a few hours while your crockpot works it's magic. BUT (there is always a but!), if you like your broccoli a little more on the al dente side, hold it out and add in for the last 45 minutes or so of the total cooking time. This will allow it to remain more firm and lightly cooked.
Prep in advance option
This chicken tender dish a great one to assemble before hand 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.
🍽Serving suggestions
Slow cooker Italian chicken tenders are great served over pasta (as shown in the pictures). It is also wonderful over rice, riced cauliflower or my personal favorite: mashed cauliflower! Mashed potatoes are also a great side kick. 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.
Storing leftovers
Leftovers will store perfectly in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for several months. They can be easily reheated in the microwave. Storing in single serving sized containers or bags makes for easy reheat and eat future meals.
😉Hints and hacks
- Chicken is considered safe to eat by the FDA when it reaches in internal temperature of 165ºF. I recommend using a meat thermometer to confirm when that your chicken is fully cooked and to help avoid over cooking.
- This dish works well with chicken tenders and thighs. It can also be made with chicken breasts, but it would recommend cutting them up into smaller pieces either before or after cooking.
- 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.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? Here is my current favorite.
❓FAQ's
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 165ºF.
If your tenders accidentally become a little more dried out than you like then, use two forks to pull them into shreds and mix thoroughly with the sauce in this recipe. That can often make a difference and help to rescue over cooked chicken,
🍗More great chicken dishes
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📖 Recipe
Lazy Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- 4 quart or larger slow cooker
- Knife and cutting board
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs chicken tenders This dish is also great with chicken thighs
- 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
Instructions
- add all ingredients other than broccoli to slow cooker
- stir to combine, cover and cook for 4-6 hours on low.
- add broccoli florets to slow cooker for last 45 minutes or so of cooking and stir to combine.
- Salt and pepper to taste prior to serving
Notes
Nutrition
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Have you tried this recipe? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!
karen eastwood says
can you freeze this dish as i am batch cooking as there is only one of me 🙂
The Lazy Slow Cooker says
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!