These Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches have a fresh tomato flavor even when tomatoes aren’t in season. Slow cooked Italian-flavored chicken is piled high on toasty garlic bread with melted Provolone cheese and fresh chopped basil.
I think I was on strike from fixing chicken for dinner for a while. I’ve been finding all kinds of inspiration for chicken dinners on Pinterest lately though and my family’s current favorite dinner is Chicken Burrito Bowls so I think it’s safe to say that my strike is over. For sure these Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches will be making a repeat performance on our dinner table – and not just in the colder months.
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Speaking of cold our Springtime here in Ohio seems to be one false start after another. As I type this post I’m wearing a fleece jacket and snuggled up under a fuzzy blanket on a cold morning… in April. It’s not that I’m complaining necessarily because I’m really not a fan of the super hot and humid weather we get during the Summer. The weather is just so weird that it’s throwing me off – like my brain just doesn’t know what to plan for and I’m having a hard time adjusting.
Anyway the plan for these chicken sandwiches at least worked. They turned out better than I could have ever possibly hoped, actually. I don’t know if I was just craving a good sandwich but these really hit the spot. The fresh basil stirred into the chicken right before serving is the “secret” ingredient to these scrumptious sandwiches. For slow cooked chicken I was really surprised by how truly lively and bright the taste is!
Tips for making Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches:
- Look for sales on chicken breasts – purchase extra and freeze for future recipes
- A 6-quart slow cooker is plenty big for this recipe
- I use this brand of garlic bread for my sandwich bread
- Make open-faced sandwiches to save on calories
- Add the chopped, fresh basil right before serving – otherwise it will turn black and look unappealing
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Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup good Italian dressing I used Newman's Own brand
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 15 oz can petite cut diced tomatoes drained
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
- 4 slices Provolone cheese
- 8 slices frozen garlic bread
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the drained tomatoes on top of the chicken.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, tomato paste, sugar, salt and red pepper flakes. Pour the mixture over the chicken and tomatoes.
- Put the lid on and cook on LOW for 6 hours. Shred the chicken and turn the slow cooker to WARM.
- Bake the garlic bread according to package directions. Place one piece of provolone cheese on each of four slices of bread during the last minute of baking time so the cheese can melt.
- Stir the fresh chopped basil into the shredded Italian chicken. Pile the chicken on top of the cheesy garlic bread slices. Top with the remaining garlic bread slices to make four sandwiches and serve.
Nutrition
More must-make chicken recipes:
- Grilled Lemon Chicken Alfredo
- Chicken Soft Tacos
- Chicken Piccata Casserole
- Chicken Marsala Casserole
- Chicken Cacciatore Stew
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
OMG what a great idea to use garlic bread for a sammy. My kids gobble that stuff up like nobody’s business. The chicken looks super tender and I’m sure this baby is packed with flavor. Comfort food!!
foodtasticmom says
The chicken is so tender – I hope you try them!
Beth says
This sandwich looks and sounds so delicious! I love slow cooked chicken! It will be great on this sandwich!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
traci says
This looks super delish and I can’t wait to try it out! Just pinned…and I know it’s gonna be a hit. Thanks for the recipe inspiration!
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome and thank you so much for the pin!
Kushi says
One of the best sandwich that I have seen so far. Love the recipe. Saving it for later.
foodtasticmom says
I’m flattered – thank you!
Dana says
This looks and sounds SO good. You see so many recipe like this that are BBQ-centric, and that’s cool and all, but I’m love the Italian flare here.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Dana 🙂
Lisa Bryan says
I’m loving all those flavors with the chicken and the fact that it’s made in the slow cooker. Definitely need to make this recipe!
foodtasticmom says
Yes you do!
Camila says
Love that you use garlic bread here!! Absolutely delicious!! My family would go crazy if I made this with my delicious garlic toasts made with my sourdough bread!
foodtasticmom says
Oooh, garlic toasts with homemade sourdough bread? That sounds amazing!
Veena Azmanov says
I can not wait to try this Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches. It looks very tasty! I love slow cooked chicken! One of the BEST sandwich that I have seen so far. Thank you for sharing this great recipe! YUM!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you 🙂
Tanny says
I am having this for dinner tonight. The house smells amazing and I took a little sample bite while shredding. Excellent! Super excited to put it on the garlic bread and enjoy!
foodtasticmom says
Oh yay! So happy you are enjoying the chicken. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, I appreciate it!
Carrie says
I loooove the sound of this, comfort food made in the slow cooker is my kinda food!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Carrie!
Julia says
Wish I was there when you made these sandwiches! 🙂 They look delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Julia 🙂
Janet says
Made this today for dinner and OMG!!!! Delicious!!! I mean like absolutely amazing!! The flavors were so great together and the garlic bread just added the icing to the cake!!!
foodtasticmom says
I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks so much for leaving the positive review. I appreciate it!
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
Oh wow – this recipe looks amazing! I never would have thought to make an Italian chicken sandwich OR use garlic bread – just brilliant!
foodtasticmom says
I’m blushing – thank you 🙂
Danielle says
That looks like a hearty and delicious sandwich. Even better that you can use your slow cooker too.
foodtasticmom says
Exactly. So easy with a tasty pay-off!
Edyta at Eating European says
Oh man, this looks so delicious and comforting. I’d like to have it for dinner tonight. I need to go get my slow cooker ready!
foodtasticmom says
Yay! Glad you are wanting to make these!
kim says
This has such amazing flavors and makes for the most perfect lunch!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Kim!
Jess says
I pit ALOT of red pepper flakes in it by accident. Is it ruined?!
foodtasticmom says
Red pepper flakes are pretty strong – very spicy. So it might be, unfortunately. Sorry that happened to you!
Colleen says
Made for dinner. Added more salt and garlic (my family’s preference). Was a hit! Made my life easier love the crockpot. Made a side of Alfredo and my husband put his chicken over the alfredo and had garlic bread on side!!! it was delicious
foodtasticmom says
Loving the Alfredo addition. Thanks for taking the time to write and review!
JB says
Would this be good served cold for sandwiches at a picnic?
foodtasticmom says
I haven’t tried that. I think maybe it could be… like an Italian chicken salad? If you try it, please let me know what you think! Everyone’s tastes are different. So if you think it sounds good, go for it!
Michelle says
Does the red pepper flakes make it spicy? I’m not a fan of spicy, can something else be substituted for flavor vs spice?
foodtasticmom says
A little bit. You can just leave the red pepper flakes out. It doesn’t affect the rest of the flavor, just adds a bit of spice.