Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Delight
This Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Delight is the perfect solution for busy weeknights or meal prep. Found in a bargain cookbook, this dish is both budget-friendly and utterly satisfying, making it ideal for feeding a hungry crowd at the firehouse or a family dinner. Just toss the ingredients into your crock pot in the morning, and by dinner time, you'll have a flavorful, tender chicken dish simmered in Italian-style tomatoes and spices. Serve it alongside crusty bread, pasta, or a refreshing salad for an effortless, wholesome meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
skinless chicken thighs
3 lbs (Trim any excess fat)
Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 can (14 oz) (Undrained)
tomato paste
1 can (6 oz) (No preparation needed)
white onion
1 medium (Chopped)
bottled minced garlic
1 tablespoon (Alternatively, use 4 cloves through a press)
dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Instructions
1
Start by placing the skinless chicken thighs in a 4-quart crock pot, ensuring they are evenly spread out.
2
In a separate bowl, combine the undrained Italian-style diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped white onion, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix them together until well blended.
3
Once the sauce mixture is ready, pour it evenly over the chicken in the crock pot, making sure the chicken is fully covered.
4
Cover the crock pot and cook the mixture on high for 1 hour. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for an additional 4 to 5 hours or until the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
5
Once cooked, gently shred the chicken using two forks or serve the thighs whole with the sauce spooned over the top. Pair with your choice of pasta, fresh bread, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
25g
Carbs
30g
Protein
2.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Delight?
It is a budget-friendly, flavorful chicken dish where skinless thighs are simmered in a slow cooker with Italian-style tomatoes, garlic, and spices.
What are the primary ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients include 3 lbs of skinless chicken thighs, Italian-style diced tomatoes, tomato paste, white onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning.
How long does it take to cook Italian Chicken Delight?
The dish is cooked on high for 1 hour, followed by 4 to 5 hours on low heat.
What size slow cooker is recommended?
A 4-quart crock pot or slow cooker is the recommended size for this recipe.
Should I drain the Italian-style diced tomatoes?
No, you should use the 14 oz can of diced tomatoes undrained to provide moisture for the sauce.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe provides 30g of protein per serving.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of bottled minced garlic?
Yes, you can substitute the 1 tablespoon of bottled garlic with 4 fresh cloves passed through a press.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as an excellent solution for busy weeknights or meal prep.
What are some recommended side dishes?
This chicken pairs well with crusty bread, pasta, or a refreshing green salad.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 15g of fat per serving.
What kind of onion should I use?
The recipe specifies using one medium white onion, chopped.
Do I need to brown the chicken before putting it in the crock pot?
No, you can place the skinless chicken thighs directly into the crock pot without prior browning.
How much chicken is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 lbs of skinless chicken thighs with excess fat trimmed.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 25g of carbohydrates per serving.
How do I know when the chicken is finished cooking?
The chicken is done when it is tender and can be easily pulled apart with a fork.
Should I shred the chicken or serve it whole?
You can do either; you can gently shred it using two forks or serve the thighs whole with the sauce spooned over them.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe uses one 6 oz can of tomato paste.
Is this a budget-friendly recipe?
Yes, it was found in a bargain cookbook and is designed to be a budget-friendly way to feed a crowd.
How much salt and pepper are added?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
What makes it a 'firehouse meal'?
It is categorized as a firehouse meal because it is satisfying, easy to prepare, and ideal for feeding large, hungry groups of people.
How much fiber does this dish contain?
It contains 2.5g of fiber per serving.
Do I mix the sauce ingredients inside the crock pot?
The instructions recommend combining the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl before pouring them over the chicken.
How much Italian seasoning is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning.
Is this a slow-cooking recipe?
Yes, it is specifically designed for a slow cooker or crock pot.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include slow cooker, chicken, italian, crock pot, easy recipe, budget friendly, firehouse meal, and comfort food.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
While the recipe specifies thighs for tenderness, you can use breasts, though they may cook faster and be less moist.
How many ingredients are in the ingredient list?
There are a total of 8 ingredients required for this recipe.
Is there any preparation needed for the tomato paste?
No preparation is needed for the tomato paste; it is mixed directly with the other sauce ingredients.
Does the recipe include nutritional information for sodium or cholesterol?
No, the sodium and cholesterol values are not specified in the current nutrition data.