Lazy Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Tenders

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.

Jump to:

• 📝Shopping list
• 🥣Assembly
• Prep in advance option
• 🍽Serving suggestions
• Storing leftovers
• 😉Hints and hacks
• ❓FAQ's
• 🍗More great chicken dishes
• 📖 Recipe

📝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

exact quantities can be found here

🥣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

1. 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.
2. 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.
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? Here is my current favorite.

❓FAQ's

🍗More great chicken dishes

*This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps to offset the costs of running this website. **Please note that all nutritional, serving size and calorie information is estimated and based solely on the ingredients used, not the offered replacement options or any other substitutions.

📖 Recipe

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