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This mini crock pot Italian chicken recipe features tender chicken cooked in a savory tomato and herb sauce. Scaled for one, it’s an easy slow cooker meal that’s flavorful, comforting, and perfect for a simple dinner.
Featured Comment
“This is a really delicious, easy, and versatile recipe.”
– Leona
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Crock Pot Meal: A true dump-and-go recipe where the slow cooker does all the work, making dinner simple and stress-free.
- Works with Different Cuts of Chicken: Use chicken thighs for juicy, tender results or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Rich Italian Flavor: Slow cooking creates tender shredded chicken in a creamy, flavorful Italian-seasoned sauce.
I’ve been making slow cooker Italian chicken for years, and it’s always been a family favorite. In this single serving version, I’ve scaled it down so you can enjoy the same tender chicken simmered in a rich tomato and herb sauce without having too much left over. It’s an easy crockpot recipe that delivers a comforting, flavorful dinner with very little prep.
This easy chicken dinner pairs well with our single serve side dish recipes like roasted small batch Brussels sprouts, rice for one, or a Caesar salad for one. For a heartier meal, serve it over buttered noodles for one or creamy single serve risotto.
Whatever you choose, it’s a satisfying and flavorful dish. Interested in more 1.5 or 2-quart crock pot recipes? Check out our collection of single serving mini crock pot recipes for one for more easy and delicious meals.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this slow cooker chicken thighs recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Chicken: Use 1 or 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Extra chicken? Use it in a slow cooker chicken burrito bowl, small chicken and rice casserole or chicken stew for one.
- Olive Oil: I use extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor, but a lighter olive oil works too.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Adds depth and a slight sweetness to the sauce.
- Seasonings: A blend of kosher salt, black pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, and garlic powder gives the dish classic Italian flavors.
- Marinara or Tomato Sauce: Use store-bought or homemade tomato sauce.
RELATED: How To Cook Small Meals In A Large Slow Cooker
How To Make Crock Pot Italian Chicken
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
To make slow cooker chicken thighs with an Italian twist, start by spraying a small crock pot to prevent sticking. Place the chicken inside, whisk together olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and pour it over the top. Season with salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and garlic powder, then add marinara sauce. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4 hours until the chicken is tender. Serve with pasta, potatoes, or rice for a flavorful and easy meal.
RELATED: 20 Single Serving Breakfast Recipes Worth Waking Up To
Expert Tips
- Stocking Up on Chicken: I keep a large bag of frozen boneless, skinless chicken thighs in my freezer, so I can grab what I need without extra trips to the store.
- Defrosting Chicken: Always thaw chicken before slow cooking. Let it defrost in the fridge overnight or use the microwave for a quick thaw before adding it to the slow cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a 1.5 to 2-quart slow cooker for the best results.
Yes, double the ingredient amounts and use a 3 to 4-quart slow cooker.
Yes, bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms make great additions.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Slow Cooker Italian Chicken recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serve slow cooker Italian chicken recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Mini Crock Pot Italian Chicken For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 (4-ounce) boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless, skinless breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 cup Marinara sauce or tomato sauce
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Lightly spray the slow cooker with oil and place the chicken inside.
- Whisk olive oil and vinegar in a small bowl, then pour over the chicken.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Pour marinara sauce over the chicken.
- Sprinkle with basil, oregano, and garlic powder.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4 hours.
Notes
-
- Stocking Up on Chicken: I keep a large bag of frozen boneless, skinless chicken thighs in my freezer, so I can grab what I need without extra trips to the store.
- Defrosting Chicken: Always thaw chicken before slow cooking. Let it defrost in the fridge overnight or use the microwave for a quick thaw before adding it to the slow cooker.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This recipe is so easy and fabulous! The sauce is wonderful with pasta. It’s my new favorite chicken recipe. I love it.
Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
The balsamic gives a nice flavor. I’ve made it a few times. Once w pasta, another over mashed potatoes, and once with veggies. cooks up nicely.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe.
I just bought the small slow cooker, I can’t wait to try the pot roast.
All of your recipes I have tried are wonderful.
Thank you.
That’s so nice to hear. I think you’ll really enjoy the pot roast in the small slow cooker. I’m so glad the recipes you’ve tried have worked well for you, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to share this.
Thank you for this slow cooker recipe. This chicken recipe was really easy to make and really taste, left over reheated for lunch also great.
Chicken was moist and tender.
Hi, I am excited about giving some of these recipes to my best friend. I wondered if you have a cookbook with recipes for one dedicated to the 2qt crock pot? That is what I am really looking for.
Thank you.
Thank you for your question! We don’t have a dedicated cookbook for slow cooker recipes, but all of our recipes for a small slow cooker are available on our website.
I would like to absolutely second Joyce’s comment, and let you know that I would love it if you would create a slow cooker cookbook with recipes for one. I am grateful for the recipes on your website, but I would still love to buy a paper version, and some copies to give as gifts to friends and family as well. Your recipes do not disappoint. Five star all the way. You also seem to be five star in your integrity as a beautiful human gracing our lives. Thank you for bringing deliciousness to single empty nesters (who love to cook) like me, Joanie.
This truly means so much to me. Thank you for such a thoughtful and generous comment. I love hearing how the recipes have been helpful, especially for empty nesters who still enjoy cooking. A slow cooker cookbook for one is definitely something we’re thinking about. I really appreciate your support and kind words.
This is a really delicious, easy, and versatile recipe. Thank you, Joanie!
Joanie, this was absolutely delicious. I’ve learned that I can always count on you for the appropriate spicing to get the authentic taste I’m looking for. Also you leave plenty of flexibility on how much spice to use depending on one’s taste. Like me, there’s no such thing as too much garlic. LOL I had several chicken thighs I needed to use up after having lost our power from Hurricane Helena. I always use bone-in skin on for the extra flavor they bring. I stacked four of them around the sides of my one and a half quart Crock-Pot standing up skin side out like you do your spare ribs. I shoved a whole onion down in the center to hold them in place. Very easy and turned out great. I just had one now and I’ll get three more meals to warm up. Served it up on tricolor rotini. Thank you for a great recipe.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I love hearing how you make the recipes your own, and I’m so glad this one worked out for you—especially after the challenges from Hurricane Helena. Using bone-in, skin-on thighs and arranging them like you described sounds perfect for maximizing flavor. And yes, there’s definitely no such thing as too much garlic! I’m happy to hear it made enough for several meals, too. Thanks again for sharing, and I always look forward to hearing about your kitchen adventures!
Hello Joanie, happy I found your site. I am an older woman living alone and been looking for single serve recipes . You have some most inviting recipes. But I was wondering if you had a recipe for lasagna. I’m Italian and sure love good lasagna . I’m making your Italian chicken today.
Thank you and God Bless
Gina
Hello Gina,
Thank you so much for your kind words, and I’m delighted that you’re enjoying the recipes! It’s wonderful to hear from someone with a love for Italian cuisine. Yes, indeed, I do have a lasagna recipe that’s perfectly sized for one. It’s layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, all tailored to fit nicely into a small baking dish just for you. You can find the recipe here: https://onedishkitchen.com/lasagna-for-one/
I hope you find this lasagna just as comforting and delicious as the larger versions. It’s always a pleasure to provide recipes that fit just right for one. Enjoy your Italian chicken today, and I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
Since my wife has died last November, thanks to your site I have not missed out on tasty nourishing meals. This one was excellent and so easy to put together. I loaded the one and a half quart Crock-Pot the night before turned it on early this morning and had a great meal at noon. Your recipes are so easy and not complicated and are so adaptable to different spices if I desire. Thank you for being there.
Thank you, Gerard! It’s wonderful to hear that you find our recipes useful.
What size crockpot?
With all of our slow cooker recipes, we recommend using either a 1.5-quart or a 2-quart slow cooker.
Delicious! I had on hand two small chicken breasts, so I used those in my new mini-slow cooker. The chicken turned out moist and fork-tender, and the marinara sauce gave it a great flavor. I served it over spaghetti, and next time will try it with rice. It’s so easy to make I know it will become a favorite. I will be checking your site often, as I cook for just myself and as I’m getting older my motto is “The simpler, the better.” 😉
So good and simple. I made this recipe as a result of my friend Pat Potts adding it to her favorite recipes for 2021. It was a worthy recommendation. Thanks for sharing this nice keeper.
Delicious, I used chicken thighs and for the marinara sauce I used a spicy pepper pasta sauce and added a heap of vegetables for make as a one pot low carb meal. I spooned some of the sauce over the chicken and then piled the vegetables on top and spread the rest of the sauce on top of that and there was heaps of sauce with the finished dish more than I needed and all was cooked in 7 hours on low and the chicken just flaked with the fork and was very tender. Thank you for a great recipe made for What’s On The Menu tag game at FF&F.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it and I love the addition of vegetables – great idea!
That blue pot, that looks like it’s sitting on it’s own heating pedastal is killing me! Where can I find it?
Hi LeeAnn,
It’s a Hamilton Beach Party Crock and I love it. It’s 1.5 quarts and I use it as a slow cooker sometimes. I did a quick check on Amazon and didn’t see it listed so I’m thinking it may be discontinued.
Joanie
I love your site. Do you have any cook books out. I want these recipes for my college age granddaughter. We gave her a crockpot for Christmas and she loves it.
I am going to make the pasta and shrimp salad this week. Can’t wait!
Hi Joey,
Thank you so much, I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes and I hope your granddaughter loves the slow cooker recipes!
We are currently working on our cookbook and it should be released later this year (in time for Christmas!). We’re so excited about it and will keep our readers updated when we have an exact publication date.
Have a wonderful week!
Joanie
Great recipe served “drippings” over rice using the microwave individual rice servings – the meal couldn’t have been simpler or tastier.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for letting me know.
Nice to have a site dedicated to cooking for one. I live alone and it just makes it easier then recalculating recipes for one. So thanks for this site
Thank you, Jakub. I’m glad you are enjoying the recipes!
What a delicious looking recipe and so easy! I love dinners that I can set and forget so I don’t have to worry about rushing around in the evening making sure I put something on the table. This would work well for my husband and I by just doubling the recipe.
Total comfort food right here! Delicious flavors.
I’m always on the lookout for new slow cooker recipes and this one looks delish. Going to try it asap!
This looks so good. I have never seen a baby slow cooker, but this is perfection for single meals. I totally am going to need to check this out.
Omg looks so yummy and super simple to make!
I’m all about slow cooked meals, and this is no exception! Looks delicous!
Mmm this looks so good! That mini crock is the neatest idea! I need one.
Oh, Joanie! I absolutely ADORE your “new” site niche. My mom is always on me to make scaled down recipes for 1 or 2 because she lives alone, and my family style recipes for 6 make way too much for her. I’m sending her your URL right now! She will love this chicken!
Thank you so much, Kirsten. I really appreciate you sending your mom the link to our site, I hope she loves the chicken and the other recipes!
This looks delicious! and super simple. I have a hard time cooking smaller portions for just myself or me and one other person, so this is a wonderful recipe to have on hand for that! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love that you have for 1 recipes. My husband and I eat very differently so there’s a lot of for 1 meals!
Yum! This is perfect for when my husband is out of town and I have the house to myself. 🙂