Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives
Tender chicken thighs slow-cooked in a savory tomato sauce with olives and Italian herbs for an effortless comforting meal. This italian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 165 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pitted and sliced black olives
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then add 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 4-5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup sliced black olives, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook for 3 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 3: Pour tomato and olive mixture over chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or high for 2.5 hours until chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving with crusty bread or pasta.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (15 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives?
Italian slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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