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Cozy Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Thighs Recipe with San Marzano Tomatoes for Easy Dinners

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A comforting and easy slow cooker Italian chicken thighs recipe featuring San Marzano tomatoes, perfect for cozy dinners with tender, flavorful chicken and a rich tomato sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds / 1.4 kg)
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) San Marzano tomatoes, whole peeled or crushed
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend (or mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) low sodium chicken broth
  • Handful of fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels (about 5 minutes). Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and brown the other side for 3 minutes. Work in batches if needed.
  3. Remove chicken to a plate. In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  4. Place the browned chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Pour the sautéed onions and garlic on top.
  5. Crush the San Marzano tomatoes by hand or with a spoon, then add them to the slow cooker along with the chicken broth and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir gently to combine and coat the chicken.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily pulls away from the bone. Check at 5 hours if your slow cooker runs hot to avoid overcooking.
  7. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley over the top. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds extra flavor and texture but can be skipped if short on time. If the sauce is too thin after cooking, remove the chicken and cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken. Keep an eye on cooking time to avoid drying out the chicken, especially on the high setting. Let the chicken rest in the sauce for a few minutes before serving to soak up more flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, Italian chicken thighs, San Marzano tomatoes, easy dinner, comfort food, crockpot chicken, cozy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/cozy-slow-cooker-italian-chicken-thighs-recipe-with-san-marzano-tomatoes-for-easy-dinners/