Savory Slow-Cooked Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand simple, mouthwatering solutions that satisfy without stress.

The tender balsamic chicken crock pot recipe delivers pure comfort in every bite.

Succulent chicken bathes in a rich, tangy sauce that promises restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

Slow cooking transforms basic ingredients into a meal that draws everyone to the table.

Each forkful brings deep, caramelized notes that dance between sweet and savory.

The aroma fills your kitchen, signaling a delicious meal is just hours away.

You’ll want to have crusty bread ready to soak up every last drop of this incredible sauce.

Tips To Boost Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe Flavor

• Tender Chicken Rescue: Remove chicken breasts carefully to prevent breaking; use two forks for gentle shredding.
• Flavor Boosting Hack: Let the balsamic sauce marinate chicken for 30 minutes before slow cooking to enhance depth of taste.
• Diet-Friendly Swaps: Replace honey with maple syrup for vegan option; use gluten-free tamari instead of regular sauces to make recipe celiac-friendly.
• Sauce Consistency Magic: For extra thick sauce, reduce liquid by 1/4 cup and add additional cornstarch if needed; whisk thoroughly to prevent clumping.
• Leftover Transformation: Transform remaining chicken into salads, sandwiches, or quick quesadillas within 3-4 days of original cooking for maximum freshness.

Ways To Serve Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

• Flavor-Packed Plate Partners: Serve this succulent balsamic chicken over fluffy jasmine rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the rich sauce.
• Freshness Boost: Top with chopped fresh parsley, crumbled feta cheese, or toasted pine nuts to add texture and bright flavor profiles that complement the tangy balsamic notes.
• Veggie Companions: Pair with roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts to create a complete and nutritious meal that balances the chicken's deep flavors.
• Wine Pairing Wonder: Enjoy alongside a crisp pinot grigio or light-bodied red wine like Beaujolais to enhance the dish's complex balsamic and herbal undertones.

Store Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe The Right Way

• Smart Meal Planning Strategies
• Batch Cooking Magic: Prepare multiple chicken batches and store in individual containers for quick weekday lunches and dinners. Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
• Flexible Serving Options: Transform leftovers into chicken salads, wraps, or sandwiches by shredding the meat and mixing with light mayo or greek yogurt.
• Advance Prep Technique: Combine sauce ingredients and store in sealed container in refrigerator 2 days before cooking. This reduces morning preparation time and intensifies flavor profiles.
• Portion Control Wisdom: Divide cooked chicken into 4-6 ounce servings for balanced meal planning. Use meal prep containers with compartments to separate chicken from side dishes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything For Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

• Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender protein that absorbs the balsamic marinade beautifully, perfect for slow cooking and easy shredding.

• Balsamic Vinegar: Rich, tangy liquid that provides deep, complex flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
• Olive Oil: Adds smooth richness and helps bind the marinade ingredients.
• Honey: Balances the vinegar's acidity with natural sweetness and creates a glossy sauce.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile.

• Basil: Fresh herb that brings a bright, peppery note to the dish.
• Oregano: Earthy herb that complements the Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
• Thyme: Delicate herb with subtle minty undertones that enhance the chicken's taste.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that heightens all other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle kick of spiciness.

• Onion: Adds sweetness and creates a savory base for the sauce.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides moisture and a slight acidic brightness.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a silky, glossy sauce consistency.
• Water: Helps dissolve and activate the cornstarch.

• Fresh Basil or Parsley: Adds a final fresh, green accent and visual appeal.

Tools To Cook Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

• Slow Cooker/Crock Pot: Essential for slow-cooking the chicken until tender and flavorful.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining balsamic sauce ingredients.
• Fork: Helps shred the cooked chicken and check its tenderness.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Small Whisk or Spoon: Useful for mixing sauce ingredients and cornstarch slurry.
• Cutting Board and Knife: Needed for slicing onions and preparing garnish.

Steps To Make Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe Tender

• Prepare The Chicken

Nestle juicy chicken breasts into your trusty slow cooker, creating a cozy base for a mouthwatering meal.

• Craft The Flavor Explosion

Whisk together a tantalizing blend of balsamic vinegar, golden honey, fragrant garlic, and a sprinkle of herbs that will make your taste buds dance.

• Layer The Magic

Shower the chicken with your zesty sauce, then crown it with sweet sliced onions and sun-ripened tomatoes for extra depth and excitement.

• Slow And Low Transformation

Let your crock pot work its culinary wizardry, gently cooking the chicken until it’s so tender it falls apart with the lightest touch of a fork.

• Final Touch

Optional sauce thickening trick: quickly stir in a cornstarch slurry to create a luscious, clingy sauce that hugs every morsel of chicken.

• Plate And Enjoy

Scatter fresh herbs on top and serve this flavor bomb over fluffy rice, twirly pasta, or roasted veggies for a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tender Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent balsamic chicken crock pot recipe offers a rich, tangy dinner solution for busy households. Home chefs can savor tender chicken infused with deep Mediterranean flavors, complemented by simple ingredients you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken breasts (or thighs), boneless, skinless
• ½ cup (120 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
• 14.5 oz (411 g) diced tomatoes, canned, drained
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (optional, for thickening)
• Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position whole chicken breasts in the ceramic slow cooker, ensuring they lay flat without overlapping.
2. Marinade Creation: Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes into a vibrant, glossy mixture.
3. Seasoning: Pour marinade over chicken, thoroughly coating each piece, then scatter sliced onions and drained diced tomatoes across the surface.
4. Slow Cooking: Cover and simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours (or high heat for 3-4 hours) until chicken becomes supremely tender and easily shreddable.
5. Sauce Enhancement: For a richer consistency, blend cornstarch with water to create a quick slurry, incorporating it into the cooking liquid and heating for an additional 15 minutes until sauce thickens elegantly.
6. Finishing Touches: Gently shred chicken using two forks, allowing it to absorb the remaining aromatic sauce, then garnish with fresh herbs.
7. Serving: Plate alongside fluffy rice, perfectly cooked pasta, or roasted seasonal vegetables for a complete, mouthwatering culinary experience.

Notes

• Optimize Chicken Placement: Ensure chicken breasts are arranged in a single layer without overlapping to guarantee even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Marinade Mixing Technique: Whisk balsamic ingredients thoroughly to create a well-emulsified sauce that will evenly coat and penetrate the chicken, enhancing overall taste profile.
• Sauce Thickening Hack: Use cornstarch slurry carefully to prevent lumps, adding gradually to achieve the perfect sauce consistency without compromising the dish’s delicate texture.
• Diet-Friendly Adaptations: Easily modify recipe for low-carb diets by replacing honey with sugar-free alternative, or make it gluten-free by using certified gluten-free cornstarch for thickening.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg