Slow Cooked Italian Chicken
A flavorful slow-cooked Italian chicken dish with tomatoes, peppers, and herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or entertaining guests with bold, savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can stewed tomatoes, cut up
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 green onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove, minced ⓘ
- 3 tsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 1 tsp. ground mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. garlic salt or garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion salt or onion powder ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cold water ⓘ
- hot, cooked noodles ⓘ
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker.
- In a bowl, combine chicken broth, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped green pepper, chopped green onion, minced garlic, chili powder, ground mustard, garlic salt, onion salt, and pepper.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until chicken juices run clear.
- Remove the chicken pieces and keep warm.
- Pour the cooking juices into a saucepan and skim off the fat.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour and cold water until smooth.
- Stir the flour mixture into the cooking juices and bring to a boil.
- Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
- Serve the chicken over hot cooked noodles with the sauce.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the broth and spices overnight. If you prefer a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes. You can substitute chicken thighs for the breasts to enhance tenderness. For a gluten-free option, use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish over hot cooked noodles for a satisfying meal. A side of steamed vegetables or a fresh garden salad complements the flavors beautifully. You can also pair it with garlic bread for a hearty Italian-inspired dinner. For variety, try serving it with rice or polenta as an alternative base.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat or microwave in short intervals until heated through. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Slow Cooked Italian Chicken contains roughly 395 calories, with 9g protein, 86g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (86% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (36% of the Daily Value), and iron (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 672mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but make sure to extend the cooking time by an hour. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety. Thawing beforehand will allow for more even cooking, but it's not necessary.
What can I do if the sauce is too thin?
If the sauce turns out too thin, mix an additional tablespoon of flour with a bit of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce while it’s boiling. Cook for a few more minutes until thickened to your desired consistency.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dish a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it a great option for meal prep or entertaining guests.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).