Description
A comforting and easy crockpot dish featuring tender chicken simmered in tomato sauce and Italian herbs for a cozy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5–2 lbs chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup tomato sauce or marinara
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: sliced bell peppers, sliced onions, sliced mushrooms, fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Optionally, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the tenderloins 1 minute per side until lightly golden.
- Place tenderloins in the bottom of the crockpot in a single layer. Scatter the minced garlic and any optional sliced veggies over the chicken.
- Pour the tomato sauce or marinara over the chicken to coat. Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes if using. Twist the lid on.
- Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours until the chicken reaches 165°F and is fork-tender. Check doneness toward the lower end of the time range.
- Stir in chopped fresh parsley or basil just before serving for a bright finish. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Notes
Searing is optional but adds flavor; use similar-sized tenderloins for even cooking. Adjust the sauce quantity according to preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg