Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken slow-cooked in a savory-sweet balsamic glaze with garlic and herbs for an effortless weeknight meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Condiments
04 - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
05 - 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
06 - 2 tablespoons honey
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
→ Spices & Seasoning
09 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
# How To Make:
01 - Scatter the thinly sliced onions and minced garlic evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
02 - Lay the chicken breasts in a single layer on top of the onion and garlic bed.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour the balsamic mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Transfer the chicken and onions to a serving platter. For a thicker sauce, pour the remaining liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until reduced.
07 - Spoon the onions and sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce practically builds itself while you are gone all day, and it tastes like you spent hours stirring.
- It uses pantry staples you probably already have, which means no emergency grocery runs.
- Cleanup is almost embarrassingly easy since everything happens in one pot.
02 -
- Do not lift the lid during cooking to check on it, because every peek adds roughly 30 minutes to the cook time.
- If your sauce seems too thin at the end, that quick saucepan simmer transforms it completely in just five minutes.
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before adding it so the glaze clings better and the sauce does not get watered down.
- Taste the balsamic mixture before pouring it in and adjust the honey if your vinegar is especially sharp.