Tomato Coconut Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This crockpot chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken with a creamy, flavorful tomato sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, and parmesan. It’s an effortless dish that’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal served over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the crockpot.
2. Step 2: Add the sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk or heavy cream, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper.
3. Step 3: Stir everything together until the chicken is well coated with the sauce ingredients.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5. Step 5: Once cooked, remove the chicken and shred it or leave it whole, depending on your preference.
6. Step 6: Stir the lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh chopped basil into the sauce in the crockpot.
7. Step 7: Return the chicken to the crockpot and toss to coat it with the creamy tomato sauce.
8. Step 8: Serve the chicken and sauce over cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Garnish with additional fresh basil.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for a more moist and flavorful result, or chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat.
• For a dairy-free version, stick with full-fat coconut milk and omit the parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
• Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms halfway through cooking for extra nutrition and flavor.
• If you like more heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken in the crockpot?

While it’s generally safer to use thawed chicken to ensure even cooking, you can use frozen chicken in the crockpot if you increase the cooking time and verify that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

What can I serve with this crockpot chicken?

This creamy tomato chicken pairs wonderfully with cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. You can also serve it with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Tomato Coconut Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 69 reviews

This creamy crockpot chicken recipe features tender boneless chicken breasts or thighs slow-cooked in a luscious sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk or heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and aromatic spices. Enhanced with fresh basil and a hint of lemon, this comforting dish is perfect served over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for an easy and flavorful meal.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Sauce

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Finishing Touches

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

To Serve

• Cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta

Instructions

1. Prepare the crockpot: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs in the crockpot, ensuring they are in a single layer for even cooking.
2. Add the sauce ingredients: Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk or heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce ingredients.
3. Cook the chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
4. Shred or leave chicken whole: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot. You may shred it using two forks or leave the pieces whole, based on your preference.
5. Enhance the sauce: Stir the lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped fresh basil directly into the sauce remaining in the crockpot, blending the flavors well.
6. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the shredded or whole chicken to the crockpot and toss gently to coat the chicken thoroughly with the creamy tomato sauce.
7. Serve and garnish: Serve the creamy chicken over your choice of cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Garnish generously with additional fresh basil leaves for a fragrant finish.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker meat; thighs tend to stay juicier during slow cooking.
• If you want a dairy-free version, use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream and omit the parmesan or replace with a vegan cheese alternative.
• Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
• This dish pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: crockpot chicken, slow cooker chicken recipe, creamy chicken, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy crockpot meals