Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken
User Reviews
4.8
-
Prep Time
5 mins
-
Cook Time
6 hrs
-
Total Time
6 hrs 5 mins
-
Servings
4
-
Calories
343 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken
Description
Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken combines bone-in or boneless chicken breasts (or thighs) with a tangy and mildly sweet balsamic marinade enriched by chicken stock, garlic, and a mix of dried herbs including basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, and rosemary. The addition of brown sugar softens the vinegar’s acidity, creating a harmonious sauce that slowly infuses the chicken as it cooks. The herbs and red pepper flakes add depth and a gentle warmth without overwhelming the dish.
The chicken is seasoned on both sides with the herb mixture before being placed in the slow cooker with the balsamic broth and butter. Cooking low and slow for several hours results in tender, juicy chicken coated in a glossy sauce. The sauce can be spooned over the chicken for serving. The texture will be soft but intact, suitable for slicing or shredding. The balance of sweet, tangy, and herbal flavors makes this a versatile main course.
This dish can be served with steamed vegetables, pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to complement the rich sauce. Garnishing with fresh chopped parsley brightens the appearance and flavor. Using different cuts of chicken allows adaptation based on preference or availability, and the included herbs give it a layered flavor profile without complexity.
The recipe allows flexibility such as substituting fresh herbs adjusted in quantity or adapting to an Instant Pot pressure cooker version for speed. Checking that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees ensures safe doneness. The slow cooking method makes it convenient to prepare ahead and have a ready meal at the end of the day.
Ingredients
- 3-4 chicken breast bone in or boneless, skin on or skin off, or chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar loosely packed
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon basil dried
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon parsley dried
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried, fresh, minced
- 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper fresh ground
- 2 tablespoons parsley optional for garnish, fresh, chopped
Instructions
- Add chicken breasts to a crock pot or Instant pot.
- In a small bowl, mix together the basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Season chicken breasts with half of the mixture. Flip chicken with tongs and season the other side.
- In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar and garlic and then add to the chicken in the crock pot. Add butter to crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours or until chicken is fully cooked when internal temperature is 165 degrees.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Use any preferred chicken cuts; bone-in or boneless, breasts or thighs all work well.
- If substituting fresh herbs for dried, use three times the amount of fresh to dried.
- For an Instant Pot method, cook on pressure cook mode for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 343 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 343kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 37g | 74% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 124mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 882mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 755mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 19g | 38% |
| Vitamin A | 465IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 54mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
You'll Also Love
