This slow cooker 4-ingredient Italian chicken is the kind of weeknight dinner I lean on when work is busy and I still want something warm, hearty, and homemade at the end of the day. Jarred marinara does most of the heavy lifting here, simmering low and slow with tender chicken, Italian seasoning, and melty cheese for a simple meal that tastes like you put in far more effort than you actually did. It has that classic Italian-American comfort food vibe, but with a practical shortcut that makes it easy to keep in the rotation.
Serve this chicken over spaghetti, penne, buttery mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta to catch all of the extra sauce. It also works really well with garlic bread, a simple green salad, roasted broccoli, or sautéed green beans if you want to round things out without much extra prep. For a lower-carb option, spoon it over zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Italian Chicken Using Jarred Marinara
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar (24 ounces) store-bought marinara sauce
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
1. Lightly coat the slow cooker insert with nonstick spray if desired, then pour the jar of marinara sauce into the bottom and spread it out evenly.
2. Nestle the chicken breasts into the sauce, turning them once so they are lightly coated, then sprinkle the Italian seasoning evenly over the top.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
4. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the chicken, cover again, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more until the cheese is melted.
5. Serve the chicken hot with plenty of sauce spooned over the top, along with pasta, bread, or your favorite side.
Variations & Tips
Use chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully here and usually stay extra juicy in the slow cooker. They are a great option if you prefer richer flavor or if that is what you already have on hand.
Add pasta at serving time: I do not recommend adding dry pasta to the slow cooker for this recipe, but serving the finished chicken over freshly cooked pasta makes it feel like a full Sunday-style dinner with very little added effort.
Try provolone or an Italian cheese blend: Mozzarella gives you that classic melty finish, but provolone or a shredded Italian blend also works well if you want a slightly sharper, more savory topping.
Shred it for sandwiches: If the chicken is especially tender, shred it right in the sauce and pile it onto toasted sandwich rolls for easy Italian chicken subs. This is one of my favorite ways to turn leftovers into a second dinner.
Watch the cook time: Slow cookers can vary a lot, so start checking the chicken on the earlier end of the time range. Overcooked chicken breast can dry out, even with the sauce, so pulling it once it reaches temperature keeps the texture much better.