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Are you craving Italian flavors but only cooking for one? Our Slow Cooker Italian Chicken recipe is just what you need. Combining classic Italian seasonings with the ease of a slow cooker, this dish is perfect for anyone, especially if you’re new to cooking or love single serving meals. It’s a fuss-free way to bring a little bit of Italy right to your kitchen, with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
This flavorful Slow Cooker Italian Chicken pairs beautifully with many of our side dish recipes like golden-roasted Brussels Sprouts or a crisp Caesar salad. For a more substantial meal, consider serving it over creamy Buttered Noodles or rich, velvety Risotto. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be a delightful dining experience – Buon appetito!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple to prepare: With basic ingredients and a small slow cooker, this recipe is simple and easy.
- Flexible: Adjust seasonings or add extras like olives or capers to personalize the dish.
- Healthy: Lean chicken and antioxidant-rich tomatoes make this a nutritious choice.
- Delicious: The slow cooker allows flavors to meld beautifully, creating a tasty Italian experience.
Single Serving Italian Chicken: Easy And Flavorful
Italian chicken is a classic dish bursting with the flavors of tomatoes, herbs, and tender chicken. Our single serving slow cooker recipe lets you savor all that deliciousness without any leftovers. It’s easy, satisfying, and perfect for busy individuals – just set it and forget it! This recipe is ideal for anyone who wants a flavorful, comforting meal without waste or excessive effort.
Check out our other Mini Slow Cooker Meal ideas!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small slow cooker recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Chicken: Choose either 1 or 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, depending on your preference or what you have available. If you’re looking for more chicken thigh recipes, consider making Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl, Chicken and Rice Casserole or Chicken Stew.
- Olive Oil: In this recipe, and all others on One Dish Kitchen where olive oil is needed, I use extra virgin olive oil. This type is less processed, retaining a more authentic olive flavor and richer in vitamins and minerals found in olives. However, you can substitute it with a lighter olive oil if desired.
- Balsamic Vinegar: This is a key ingredient for adding a robust flavor to the sauce.
- Seasonings: I recommend using kosher salt, black pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, and garlic powder for a well-rounded Italian flavor.
- Marinara or Tomato Sauce: You can use either store-bought or homemade tomato sauce, whichever is more convenient or to your liking.
RELATED: How To Cook Small Meals In A Large Slow Cooker
How To Make Crockpot Italian Chicken
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
To make this easy Italian Chicken, start by spraying your slow cooker to prevent sticking. Add your chicken, then whisk olive oil and vinegar and pour it over the top. Season with salt, pepper, marinara sauce, and a sprinkle of basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4, then serve with your favorite pasta, potatoes, or rice.
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Expert Tips
- Stocking Up on Chicken: I purchase large bags of frozen boneless, skinless chicken thighs from the grocery store. This way, I can simply take out the amount I need for each meal. It’s a convenient way to have chicken on hand without frequent trips to the store.
- Defrosting Chicken: Ensure you defrost the chicken before adding it to the crockpot. You can do this by placing the needed amount in the refrigerator overnight to thaw or by quickly defrosting a few pieces in the microwave just before you add them to the slow cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this slow cooker boneless chicken thigh recipe, a 1.5-quart slow cooker is ideal. Using a slow cooker or crockpot of a similar size will yield the best results.
To keep the chicken moist, opt for chicken thighs as they contain more fat and are less likely to dry out compared to chicken breasts. Adhering to the cooking time specified in this recipe will ensure your chicken stays tender and juicy.
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but be mindful of the cooking time as breasts can dry out faster than thighs.
It’s recommended to use thawed chicken in slow cooking. This practice guarantees that the chicken cooks evenly and reaches a safe internal temperature.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove for a quick meal.
More Mini Crockpot Chicken Recipes
Find more delicious single serving slow cooker recipes in our collection! Here are some favorites:
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 Crockpot Italian Chicken For One 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!
Slow Cooker 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
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker with an oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the chicken on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and the vinegar and pour over the chicken.
- Top with salt and pepper.
- Pour the Marinara sauce over the chicken.
- Top with the dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder.
- Cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4. Serve with pasta, potatoes or rice.
Notes
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.
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.
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!