Slow cooker balsamic chicken is a high-protein, low-carb, and naturally gluten-free dinner you can feel good about. Juicy chicken simmers in a tangy balsamic sauce with onion and tomatoes until it's fall-apart tender-healthy comfort food made simple in the slow cooker.

Jump to:
- The backstory.
- It's a must-make.
- Let's talk texture and flavor.
- What you'll need.
- Customize it your way.
- Flexible dietary swaps.
- How to make this balsamic chicken slow cooker recipe.
- How to serve it.
- Kori's tips.
- FAQ's
- 📖 The recipe.
- Crockpot Balsamic Chicken
- More Keto Crockpot Chicken Recipes
- More Recipes You Will Love
- 💬 What readers are saying.
The backstory.
This recipe started as one of my "pantry challenge" dinners. I had chicken in the freezer, canned tomatoes on the shelf, and a bottle of balsamic vinegar that I only ever seemed to use for salad dressing. Into the slow cooker it all went-and the result was a saucy, cozy chicken dish that tasted way fancier than the effort required. I've been making it ever since because it's simple, budget-friendly, and always a crowd-pleaser.
xoxo Kori
It's a must-make.
This slow cooker balsamic chicken recipe is a must make because it's healthy, hands-off cooking that delivers serious flavor with minimal effort.
- Easy dump-and-go slow cooker recipe
- High protein and naturally low carb
- Pantry-friendly ingredients you already have on hand
- Tender chicken in a tangy, savory balsamic sauce
When life gets busy, I love letting my slow cooker do the work-this balsamic chicken proves that simple ingredients can make something truly crave-worthy.
Let's talk texture and flavor.
Every bite of this balsamic chicken slow cooker recipe balances sweet, tangy, and savory. The balsamic vinegar and tomatoes meld into a rich sauce that clings to juicy, fall-apart chicken. Onion and garlic add warmth, while Italian herbs keep it bright. The sauce is velvety, spoonable, and perfect for soaking into rice, pasta, or mashed cauliflower.
What you'll need.

Here's what you're going to need to make slow cooker balsamic chicken:
- Chicken Thighs. Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work-breasts stay lean, while thighs stay juicier if cooked longer.
- Vegetables. Onion and canned diced tomatoes create the base of the sauce with a touch of sweetness.
- Seasonings. Minced garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper layer in classic Italian-inspired flavor.
- Olive oil. Adds richness and helps keep the chicken moist.
- Balsamic vinegar. The star ingredient that transforms everything into a tangy, savory-sweet sauce.
If you love this slow cooker balsamic chicken, you'll definitely want to check out my roundup of boneless skinless chicken thigh recipes-packed with flavor, simple to make, and perfect for keeping dinner fresh and exciting all week long.
Customize it your way.
This crockpot balsamic chicken is versatile, so feel free to make it your own:
• Swap chicken breasts for thighs if preferred
• Add sliced bell peppers or mushrooms for more veggies
• Stir in a splash of cream or a sprinkle of parmesan at the end for a richer sauce
• Toss in red pepper flakes if you like a little heat
Flexible dietary swaps.
Here are some healthy alternatives for this slow cooker balsamic chicken recipe:
- Gluten-free. Naturally gluten-free as written. If thickening, use cornstarch or xanthan gum instead of flour.
- Dairy-free. The recipe is dairy-free; if you garnish, skip the parmesan or choose a dairy-free alternative.
- Low sodium. Use no-salt-added canned tomatoes and reduce the added salt.
- Low sugar. If your balsamic vinegar tastes too tart, balance with a sugar-free sweetener instead of brown sugar.
How to make this balsamic chicken slow cooker recipe.
A true dump-and-go recipe. Here's how to pull it together:

Add ingredients
Layer all of the ingredients into the slow cooker.

Slow cook
Cover and slow cooker until the chicken thighs are done.
How to serve it.

Slow cooker balsamic chicken is one of those recipes you'll find yourself serving in all kinds of delicious ways:
- Piled over rice, pasta, or creamy mashed cauliflower to soak up every drop of sauce
- Alongside roasted veggies with a hunk of crusty bread for dipping
- Shredded into wraps, sandwiches, or grain bowls for easy next-day lunches
- Finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for a bright, herby pop
Kori's tips.
- Thinly slice the onion so it softens fully during cooking.
- If using chicken breasts, check early-thighs are less likely to dry out and hold up better for longer cook times.
- Taste your balsamic-if it leans too acidic, stir in a touch of brown sugar or sweetener after cooking.
- For a quick thickening shortcut, transfer the juices to a saucepan and whisk in cornstarch until glossy.
- Leftovers are even better the next day-perfect for easy lunches.
FAQ's
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes-freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
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📖 The recipe.

Crockpot Balsamic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 small onion thinly sliced (if not following a low carb diet, use 1 large onion)
- 5 to 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (butter or avocado oil also work well)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar (can use up to ½ cup)
- 2 (14-ounce) ounce cans of diced tomatoes
- Optional low carb thickener: ½ teaspoon xanthan gum mixed with ½ teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Spray the crockpot with nonstick spray. Add onions first, then chicken breasts, olive oil, seasonings, balsamic vinegar, and then tomatoes.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or until chicken is done. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Video
Kori's Tips
Nutrition
© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™
More Keto Crockpot Chicken Recipes
Here are a few more low carb and keto crockpot chicken recipes I think you'll really enjoy!
- Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika
- Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
- Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken
- Crockpot Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup
- Keto Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)
- Italian Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
- Crockpot Chicken Fajita Soup
- Crock Pot Curry Chicken
More Recipes You Will Love
Here's a low carb and high protein crockpot chicken recipe that's easy and healthy dinner. Crockpot Balsamic Chicken results in tasty tender chicken with an Italian balsamic vinegar sauce with onions and tomatoes. An easy recipe that is perfect for weeknight meals. Make this one pot meal with ingredients you have on hand. #SeekingGoodEats #crockpotrecipes #slowcookerrecipes #balsamic #easydinner #pantrymeal #chickenrecipe #healthydinner #lowcarb

Naomi C
I’ve made this a couple times. So good and so easy. Perfect on those days that I don’t know what to make. This also freezes well for lunches later.
Thanks!
Lauren
Do you drain the tomatoes or use the juice?
seekinggoodeats
The tomatoes are not drained, add juice and all Enjoy!
Laura
Can I substitute crushed tomatoes for diced?
Kori
Yes, that's totally works! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Ashlyn Joliet
Can you use frozen chicken breasts right out of the freezer or will they need to be thawed first?
Kori
I would thaw (or partially thaw) the chicken first - hope you enjoy!
Ashlyn Joliet
Thank you for responding so quickly! I look forward to trying out this recipe soon. 🙂
KARIN BURTON
Is that 2 tsp of fresh diced garlic? I see it in the ingredients but not the instructions.
Kori
Yes it is! Minced is fine too...hope you enjoy!