If your weeknights feel like a blur of meetings, errands, and “what’s for dinner?” panic, Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken is about to become your new best friend. This is the kind of meal that feels fancy enough for company but is secretly doing all the work while you live your life. And honestly? That’s my favorite kind of cooking.
This creamy, slow-cooked chicken is rich, tangy, and wrapped in a velvety sauce that tastes like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did. It’s cozy, comforting, and exactly what busy home cooks need when energy is low but cravings are high.
As someone who truly believes cooking should bring comfort—not stress—this recipe hits all the right notes. Toss everything into the crockpot, walk away, and come back to a house that smells like a warm hug.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken
Let’s be real—this recipe checks a lot of boxes:
- Set-it-and-forget-it easy (because standing over a stove at 6 p.m. is overrated)
- Creamy without being heavy
- Family-friendly, yet elegant enough for guests
- Flexible (chicken breasts or thighs both work beautifully)
- Perfect for leftovers—if there are any
The sun-dried tomatoes bring that bold, tangy punch, the creamy sauce wraps everything in comfort, and the slow cooker works its magic until the chicken is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this cozy classic. Nothing fancy—just simple ingredients doing big things together.
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers (my little twist—and trust me, it’s worth it)
For serving:
- Cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta
How to Make Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken
This recipe is as low-effort as it gets. No browning. No extra pans. Just layer, stir, and relax.
Step 1: Add the Chicken
Place the chicken in your crockpot in a single layer. No need to fuss—just make sure it’s sitting comfortably at the bottom.
Step 2: Build the Sauce
Add the sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk or heavy cream, parmesan, garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and chopped roasted red peppers. Give everything a gentle stir so the chicken is coated in all that creamy goodness.
Step 3: Let the Slow Cooker Do Its Thing
Cover and cook:
- Low: 6–7 hours
- High: 3–4 hours
The chicken should be fork-tender and practically begging to be eaten.
Step 4: Shred or Keep Whole
Remove the chicken and shred it if you like it extra cozy, or leave it whole for a more polished look. Both are delicious—go with your mood.
Step 5: Finish the Sauce
Stir the lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh basil into the sauce. This little splash of brightness balances the creaminess beautifully.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Return the chicken to the crockpot and stir until everything is coated in that dreamy sauce.
Step 7: Serve and Swoon
Serve hot over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Finish with extra fresh basil, and maybe take a moment to admire how effortless dinner was tonight.
Helpful Cooking Tips (Because Life Happens)
- Sauce too thick? Add a splash of chicken broth or milk. No stress—extra sauce is never a problem.
- Want more heat? Add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Using coconut milk? The flavor is subtle and adds richness without tasting tropical.
- Chicken breasts drying out? Thighs are more forgiving if your slow cooker runs hot.
And remember—slow cookers vary. If your kitchen starts smelling amazing early, that’s usually a good sign.
A Little Personal Note from My Kitchen
This Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken saved me during a week that felt like one long to-do list. You know the kind—laundry piling up, emails unanswered, and dinner creeping up way too fast.
I tossed everything into the slow cooker before noon, and by dinnertime, the house smelled incredible. My family thought I’d been cooking all day. I didn’t correct them.
That’s the beauty of slow cooking—it gives you back your time while still delivering something that feels homemade and comforting.
FAQs About Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely. Thighs are juicy and hold up beautifully in the slow cooker.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use coconut milk and skip the parmesan or replace it with a dairy-free alternative.
How should I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors get even better overnight.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes. Let it cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
What’s the best way to serve it?
Rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta are all perfect. Even crusty bread works when you want to soak up every last drop of sauce.
Why This Recipe Belongs in Your Weekly Rotation
This Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken is one of those recipes that feels like comfort food but fits perfectly into real life. It’s rich without being overwhelming, simple without being boring, and flexible enough to suit picky eaters and busy schedules alike.
If you’ve been craving a meal that makes dinnertime feel calm again—something warm, creamy, and deeply satisfying—this is it. Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting, and enjoy a dinner that feels like a win.
From my kitchen to yours, I hope this recipe brings a little more ease, a little more comfort, and a whole lot of flavor to your table.
More Cozy Recipes You Might Love Next
If this Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken hit the spot, here are a few other comforting, slow-cooker favorites that readers often enjoy next. They’re perfect for keeping dinner stress low and flavor high—because once you’re in a cozy cooking groove, why stop?
- Craving another creamy, swoon-worthy chicken dinner? Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Rich Creamy Sauce is a longtime reader favorite for good reason.
- If you love tomato-based sauces with comforting vibes, Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a natural next recipe to try.
- For nights when you want a complete meal in one pot, Crock Pot No-Peek Chicken with Rice keeps things simple and satisfying.
- Looking for something a little more elegant but still easy? Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Marsala delivers cozy, restaurant-style comfort at home.
- And if you enjoy seeing how other home cooks put their own spin on sun-dried tomato chicken, this Crockpot Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Inspiration is a lovely read for extra ideas and flavor inspiration.
Bookmark a couple of these, rotate them through your week, and dinner will keep feeling warm, easy, and something to look forward to.
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Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Sun-Dried Tomato Crockpot Chicken is a cozy, slow-cooked dinner made with tender chicken simmered in a creamy, savory sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers
Instructions
Place the chicken in the crockpot in a single layer.
Add sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk or cream, parmesan, garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and roasted red peppers. Stir gently to coat the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
Remove the chicken and shred it or leave it whole, depending on preference.
Stir lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh basil into the sauce.
Return the chicken to the crockpot and mix until well coated.
Serve warm over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Chicken thighs stay extra juicy if your slow cooker runs hot.
Add a splash of broth or milk if the sauce thickens too much.
Leftovers taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg