Crockpot Italian Chicken Recipe | The Gracious Pantry | Chicken Dinner (2024)

This crockpot Italian chicken recipe takes just 5 minutes to prep for the freezer, and then you dump it frozen into your slow cooker so dinner is ready when you get home!

As I type this, I’m knee-deep in the school semester and basically burning the candle at both ends. So I need dinners that can cook for a good portion of the day while I study.

I try hard to come up with meals that I can prep in minutes, and I have found over the years, that the best way to do that is to prep meals using frozen ingredients. They are already peeled and chopped and they make life so much easier.

What Size Crockpot Do You Need?

For this recipe, you’ll want a crock pot that holds 5-6 quarts. You can go a little smaller, but I wouldn’t go less than 3- 4 quarts. Basically, you want your crock to be at least half full, but you don’t want to totally overflow when things defrost either.

Should You Cook On High Or Low Temperature?

Technically, you can cook at either temperature. It just depends on how fast you want this meal to cook. For this specific recipe, you have two choices.

Low temperature – 6 to 8 hours

High temperature – 4 to 5 hours

Is It Better To Cook Chicken On High Or Low In A Crockpot?

It’s not about which setting is best for cooking chicken, it’s how fast you need it done. You can cook chicken on high or low in a slow cooker, and it will turn out wonderfully every time.

How Long Does Chicken Cook In A Crockpot?

Generally speaking, chicken breasts will cook fully in about 4 to 6 hours in a slow cooker, if the chicken is raw. If it’s frozen it will cook from 6 to 8 hours and sometimes longer depending on what else is in the crock with the chicken.

Can You Put Raw Chicken In A Slow Cooker?

Absolutely! In fact, it’s one of the best ways to cook chicken because the moist cooking environment makes very tender chicken.

Creamy Italian Chicken

If you prefer this to be creamy, you can stir in a block of cream cheese after cooking and stir until it dissolves. And if it ends up being a bit too thick, thin with a splash of milk. Also, make sure you at least double up on the chicken if you go this route or there just won’t be enough.

Optional Additions

You can round this out even more by adding frozen versions of the following:

• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Broccoli
• Fresh parsley – for garnish after cooking

Crockpot Italian Chicken Recipe Ingredients

(Print the recipe from the recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Combine For Freezer

Frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts– This is approximately 2 large breasts. This is not a ton of chicken, and this ends up having a lot more of the other ingredients than chicken. So feel free to add up to 4 or 6 chicken breasts, depending on their size, to make this recipe meatier. I just had to work with what I had on hand, which happened to be two chicken breasts.

Frozen chopped onions – Purchase these pre-chopped. Avoid the small, whole, pearl onions.

Frozen bell peppers – This can be a tri-color package or single color. Up to you.

Frozen, peas and carrots – If you hate one, you can purchase a package of just peas or just carrots.

Canned tomato sauce– Make sure there is no sugar added. Low sodium is best.

Canned diced tomatoes– Again, make sure there is no sugar added. You can use a can that has added basil if that’s what you have, but avoid fire-roasted tomatoes for this recipe.

Italian seasoning– to make your own, try this Italian Seasoning recipe. It takes only minutes to throw it together from spices you probably already have in your spice cabinet.

Garlic powder – You can also use garlic granules.

Add For Cooking

Note that these are optional. Adding vinegar or Italian dressing will add some tang to this recipe. If you like that Italian, tomato-y tang, you can add one or both!

Balsamic vinegar – I used red, but you could also use apple cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar.

Italian dressing – You can use store-bought or make your own. I use this Italian Dressing recipe. It’s made in minutes in a blender.

Chicken broth – Only necessary if cooking this in an Instant Pot. Omit for slow cooker cooking.

How To Make Crockpot Italian Chicken

Freezer Bag Instructions

Set up your bag holders, attach your bags, and add two chicken breasts to the bags.

Pour the frozen chopped onions into the bags over the chicken.

Pour the bell peppers into the bag.

Pour the peas and carrots into the bag.

Add the diced tomatoes.

Add the tomato sauce.

Add the Italian seasoning.

Add the garlic granules (or powder).

Zip the bag closed and moosh the bag around a bit to distribute the tomato sauce around the other ingredients.

Lay flat and freeze until ready to cook. Remember that if you want to cook this in an Instant Pot, you’ll need to either thaw it a bit or freeze it in round containers instead of a bad so that the frozen food fits into the Instant Pot insert.

Slow Cooker Instructions

Thaw the bag in the fridge overnight, then pour all the contents of the bag into a slow cooker. Your slow cooker should be sized so that the food fills at least half of the crock, otherwise, your chicken could end up dry.

If using, add the Italian dressing and/or balsamic vinegar.

Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and set the temperature to low. Cook for 6-8 hours.

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Pour the contents of the bag into your IP insert.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, and stir a bit.
3. Secure the IP lid and close the vent valve.
4. Press the “Manual” button and adjust cook time to 30 minutes. Note that because you are cooking from frozen, it can take much longer for your IP to come to pressure. Sometimes up to 20 minutes.
5. When cooking is done, allow for a 10-minute natural release. Open the valve to release any remaining steam. You can now serve as is or shred your chicken to serve over pasta.

What To Serve With Crockpot Italian Chicken

To round out the meal, you can serve this over pasta, rice, or quinoa. But if you need additional sides, I recommend one or both of the following:

• Crusty garlic bread
• Italian Chopped Salad

Recipe Cost

These prices were true at the time I purchased my groceries. Prices vary from region to region and store to store. Price does not include any taxes.

KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Qt. Slow Cooker with Standard Lid – Stainless Steel

Baggy Rack -Sandwich Bag Racks Holder，Food Storage Bags Clip， For Food Prep Bag/plastic Freezer Bag/Ziploc Bag Holder Stand, Meal Planning/prep Bag Holders（6pcs)

Ziploc Gallon Food Storage Bags, Grip ‘n Seal Technology for Easier Grip, Open, and Close, 75 Count, Pack of 2 (150 Total Bags)

See Also

19 Deeply Satisfying Ground Beef Recipes

More Healthy Chicken Dinner Recipes

• Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore
• Carolina Gold BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (Instant Pot Recipe)
• Southwest Chicken Crockpot Recipe

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Easy Crockpot Italian Chicken Dinner Recipe