This chicken came about when I had tons of fresh basil to use, but didn’t really have much time to put a dinner together. I remembered an easy slow cooker chicken I had made previously, and added the basil and sun-dried tomatoes to that recipe. Chicken with Basil & Sun Dried Tomatoes is the delicious result, and even though it takes only minutes to put together, it’s attractive, and tastes good enough to serve company.

One of the worst food crimes on the grocers’ shelves today is bottled Alfredo sauce – it’s absolutely scary when used as is over pasta or as a pizza sauce - but it can be used successfully in dishes such as this to make a cream base, as long as other ingredients are added for flavoring. It doesn’t curdle in the slow cooker like cream or milk, so for a creamy sauce, it’s acceptable. You’ll have to ignore the list of not-so-healthy ingredients; sometimes it’s necessary to make the choice between healthy and saving time.

This chicken is great served over any kind of pasta or rice, and just may become a go-to recipe because it’s so easy and yummy.

6 Servings

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 6 serving-size pieces
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup drained sun-dried tomato strips, (oil packed),
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 14-16 oz. jar Alfredo Sauce
1/2 pound bacon, chopped, cooked until crisp, and drained

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Place the chicken in the bottom of a 3-5 quart slow cooker; sprinkle with pepper.
2. Arrange the basil and sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken.
3. Cover with the mushrooms.
4. Spoon the Alfredo sauce over the mushrooms and sprinkle with the bacon.
5. Cover, set the slow cooker to low, and let cook 4-6 hours or until the chicken is just cooked through.
6. Mix the cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into the hot sauce.
7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and serve over pasta or rice.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 459 Calories from Fat 249
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 54% Protein 40% Carb. 5%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 28 g
Saturated Fat 11 g
Cholesterol 151 mg
Sodium 945 mg
Total Carbohydrate 1 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 1 g
Protein 46 g

Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 12% Calcium 0% Iron 13%