This Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken is one of the easiest slow cooker dishes we have. There is no pre-cooking involved, you just put onions, chicken and a fresh tomato, herb and balsamic mix in to the slow cooker and let it cook for 3 hours. Serve with spaghetti, rice or with a fresh green salad for a delicious and light meal.
The flavours in this dish are so simple, with just a few ingredients, but super tasty. Chopped fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic are mixed with some good quality balsamic vinegar and then poured over sliced onion and chicken breasts to make an easy meal that can be served so many different ways. Tomato and balsamic are a classic summer combination and this is a delicious way to enjoy it.
The slow cooker doesn't have to get put away during the warmer months of the year, you just have to find delicious summer recipes that can be cooked in it like this one. We love using our slow cooker in the summer, because who wants to have the oven or hob on when it is that hot outside! That doesn't mean that this isn't a comforting winter dish too though.
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Why should you try it?
- No prep - just dump it all in and turn it on
- A delicious way to enjoy chicken
- A great way to use up lots of tomatoes
- Perfect for using the slow cooker in the summer
What you will need
- Chicken - Skinless and boneless chicken breasts are what make this a lean and protein packed meal. You could swap them for chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Oil - We used olive oil, as we find this has a nicer flavour.
- Balsamic vinegar - This is the star of the dish, so try to buy the best quality you can as you will really taste the difference. Cheap balsamic tends to be really runny too, which makes for a watery finished dish.
- Garlic - This balsamic chicken is garlic heavy, and that's just how like it. If you aren't a huge garlic fan, then feel free to reduce the amount used.
- Onion - We used red onion, however you could swap it for a brown onion, or even shallots.
- Tomato - The key to having a really delicious dish is to use fresh and ripe tomatoes.
- Basil - Fresh basil is always best in this dish.
Step by step
One: Put the sliced onion at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Two: Put the chicken breasts on top with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
Three: Add the tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil.
Four: Pour the balsamic vinegar on top.
Five: Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 3 hours.
Six: Serve on spaghetti and with a salad.
Balsamic sauce
By looking at the ingredients, it doesn't look like there is much of a sauce to this. But that is the beauty of this dish - its simplicity. There are no thick and heavy sauces, just the juices from the chicken and tomatoes, mixed with the balsamic, garlic and basil.
There is a fair amount of liquid in the slow cooker bowl once it is cooked, but I find that once it is all mixed in to the spaghetti and the chicken on top it is just the right amount. You can always use less of the liquid if you find it too much. I wouldn't recommend using a tin of tomatoes, as they are too juicy, so fresh is best.
What to serve it with
We served ours on top of spaghetti with a green salad on the side, but you could have so many different things with it. For a low carb option, serve it with courgette (zucchini) spaghetti or for more of a comforting dish then mashed potato is the way to go. You can serve it with spaghetti squash, udon noodles, couscous and of course just a big pile of vegetables or on a green salad.
We also like to crumble some feta on top just before serving, because the creaminess goes really well with the sweetness of the balsamic.
Leftovers are delicious on rice or a baked potato, or even just on a big green salad.
FAQs
We used chicken breasts in this dish, so it makes it a lean and protein packed meal. There are very few ingredients, and the focus is on fresh ingredients like tomatoes and basil and the sauce is made mainly of balsamic vinegar. This dish is low in fat and there is less than 250 calories per portion (without sides).
Yes, you could make this slow cooker balsamic chicken with boneless and skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast. It would change the nutritional information, but the chicken would be much juicier.
If you don't have a slow cooker, then this can be cooked in the oven. You can put everything on a pan with some extra vegetables like par-boil potatoes, peppers, mushrooms and asparagus and put in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
You can keep this in the fridge for 2-3 days, but it also freezes well. Just make sure it is completely cooled before freezing and then fully defrosted before reheating.
If you don't want to freeze this, but you have some leftovers to use, then chop the chicken up and either mix it with a green salad or put in to a wrap or sandwich with a slice of your favourite cheese.
Extra tips
- We serve the chicken breasts up whole, but you could shred them before serving and that would soak up a lot of the liquid too.
- We used skinless and boneless chicken breasts to make this dish, but you can use thighs or legs instead, but cooking times will vary.
- Either serve with with spaghetti, mashed potato, rice or on top of a green salad.
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Recipe
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
- 6 tomatoes diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 8 basil leaves diced
- 60 ml balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Put the sliced onion at the bottom of the slow cooker and then put the chicken breasts on top and then add the olive oil and season with the salt and pepper.500 g chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium red onion, 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- Add the tomatoes, garlic and basil and then pour the balsamic vinegar on top.6 tomatoes, 2 garlic cloves, 8 basil leaves, 60 ml balsamic vinegar
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
Notes
- We serve the chicken breasts up whole, but you could shred them before serving and that would soak up a lot of the liquid too.
- We used skinless and boneless chicken breasts to make this dish, but you can use thighs or legs instead, but cooking times will vary.
- Either serve with with spaghetti, mashed potato, rice or on top of a green salad.
Becky Sneddon
I have an allergy to onions is there an alternative I could use as the base?
Cynthia May
This is awesome. It looks so tasty and mouthwatering. I've got to try this too.
Natalie
Looks so delicious! I love chicken and balsamic vinegar together - such a delicious combo.
Danielle Wolter
This looks just incredible! Love that you added tomatoes. balsamic vinegar adds such a great flavor!
Cindy @ A Uniquely Edible Magic
This is so tasty!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
Sometimes the most simple of ingredients can make a truly tasty meal, and using the slow cooker is so easy. Perfect for those busy days, knowing you can look forward to a delicious supper when all is done.
Michelle Miller
I love a good balsamic chicken recipe. This one looks absolutely amazing!
David
perfect timing! was just thinking I'd like to try a new slow cooker chicken recipe. I like your ideas for using the leftovers, too.
Alison
A good slow cooker recipe makes weeknight meals so much easier. Love the fresh flavors.
Alison
I love a simple slow cooker recipe. It makes weeknight meals a breeze! Yummy fresh flavors.
Tatiana
What a gorgeous and easy chicken dinner!!! Love that it’s made in the slow cooker, so easy! Your photos always amaze me!!!
Jess
Yum yum YUM! This chicken and flavors looks and sounds delicious!