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A light and easy crock pot balsamic chicken recipe perfect for weeknight dinners! This flavorful balsamic chicken is cooked in the slow cooker to tender perfection with vegetables, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar.
5 Star Review
“I loved it! I could NOT stop eating it. Made it as a part of my meal prep for a cut I’m doing. I was supposed to save some and portion it out, but I had to share with my family, and after tasting it, they wanted a plate, so how could I tell them no! Yummy.” – Sabrina
Delicious Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken
Ditch the complex recipes and get ready for an easy, flavorful explosion. This crockpot balsamic chicken is a game-changer for weeknight dinners and even game days. Delicious, easy, and packed with flavor, the tender chicken and veggies slow-cooked in balsamic vinegar with brown sugar will have your taste buds dancing.
The beauty of this dish is that once you shred the chicken, it’s versatile enough for sandwiches, salads, or just devoured straight from the pot—my personal favorite approach, especially when you’re aiming for a low-carb meal and fewer dishes to clean up. served with cauliflower rice.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chicken Recipe
- Easy Preparation: Just set it in the crock pot and let it do all the work, freeing up your time.
- Versatile: Once shredded, it’s perfect for using in all your favorite chicken recipes.
- Low-Carb Friendly: A great option for those watching their carb intake without compromising on taste.
- Minimal Cleanup: One-pot cooking means fewer dishes to wash, making post-dinner cleanup a breeze.
- Budget-Friendly: This balsamic chicken recipe utilizes simple, inexpensive ingredients you might already have on hand.
How To Make Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken
- Preparation: Lightly grease the crock pot with olive oil, and sprinkle in the minced garlic.
- Chicken Prep: Generously season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and arrange the chicken in the crock pot in a single layer.
- Balsamic Sauce: Whisk the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar in a small bowl until combined. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the crock pot.
- Veggies: Layer the sliced veggies over the chicken. Finish with a sprinkle of Italian Seasoning.
- Cooking: Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or choose LOW for 5 to 6 hours.
- Shredding: After cooking, move the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Shred them using two forks, then stir the shredded chicken back into the crock pot.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. For a bit of heat, garnish with red pepper flakes.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Chicken: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and convenient, you can also use chicken thighs for a juicier result due to their higher fat content.
- Balsamic Quality: Invest in a good-quality balsamic vinegar, as it’ll be a primary flavor in your dish. The better the quality, the richer and more robust the flavor.
- Veggie Variations: While bell peppers and onions are used in this recipe, consider adding sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes for added taste and texture.
- Avoid Overcooking: Chicken can become dry if overcooked, even in a crock pot. Make sure to check the chicken around the 3-hour mark if cooking on HIGH. Use an Instant Read Meat Thermometer – chicken is done when its internal temperature registers at 165˚F.
What To Serve with Balsamic Chicken
Perhaps the best part of this dish is that you can stuff the shredded chicken into burgers, chicken wraps, or tacos, or serve it over a crisp salad. It’s also delicious tucked into these chicken flautas or tossed into my walnut chicken salad for a fresh twist! It’s also fantastic served over cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower!
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for 2-3 months. The chicken often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded further.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
- Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
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Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar of Modena
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prep. Grease the sides and bottom of the crock pot insert with olive oil, then sprinkle minced garlic on the bottom.
- Prepare the chicken. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and transfer the chicken to the crock pot, arranging it in one single layer.
- Make the balsamic sauce. In a small mixing bowl combine balsamic vinegar and brown sugar; whisk until thoroughly combined and pour it over the chicken.
- Add the veggies and seasoning. Top with sliced vegetables and Italian Seasoning.
- Cook. Cover with a lid and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.
- Finish and serve. Remove the lid and transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board; using two forks, shred the chicken. Stir the shredded chicken back into the crock pot, taste for seasonings, and adjust accordingly. Serve.
Notes
- Chicken: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but you can also use chicken thighs; just adjust the cooking time.
- Veggie Options: Feel free to add mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes for variety.
- Cooking Time: Monitor the chicken to avoid overcooking, especially if on HIGH. Chicken is cooked through when its internal temperature registers at 165˚F on a meat thermometer.
- Fresh Herbs: Garnish with chopped basil or parsley for a fresh touch.
- Add Heat: For a spicy kick, toss in some red pepper flakes.
- Storing: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Another easy, delicious recipe. Thank you 🙂
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I loved it! I could NOT stop eating it. Made it as a part of my meal prep for a cut I’m doing. I was supposed to save some and portion it out, but I HAD to share with my family and after tasting it they wanted a plate so how could I tell them No! Yummy.
That’s great to hear! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂