I set this in the slow cooker, went for a walk, and came home to tender balsamic chicken that made the kitchen smell like I knew what I was doing. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes meets weeknight sanity. Think sweet tang, garlic warmth, and a glossy sauce that clings in the best way. We keep it light and steady for 300 Calorie Meals and Calorie Controlled Meals, yet it eats like a hug. Boneless skinless chicken breast stays juicy, the vinegar softens the edges, and a quick mix pools into a spoon worthy finish. No fuss, real flavor, zero drama. If you stash Baked Chicken Breast Recipes for busy nights, this fits right in. We call it a tiny kitchen win and file it under Healthy Dinner Ideas. I serve it over mashed cauliflower on Mondays and with roasted veggies when I pretend I planned the week. Works every time.
Table of Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 Easy Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Recipe
- 3 Ingredients for Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 4 How to Make Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 5 Tips for Making Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 6 Making Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Ahead of Time
- 7 Storing Leftover Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 8 Try these Main Course next
- 9 Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 10 Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
We cook for real life. This Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken gives tender meat, bright sauce, and little effort. I wrote this as Linda from Cook Daily Recipe at https://www.cookdailyrecipes.com with busy nights in mind. The dish fits Low Calorie Chicken Recipes and it stays friendly to a tight schedule.
You need common pantry items and boneless skinless chicken breast. The cooker does steady work while you do yours. The finish tastes balanced with sweet vinegar and garlic. It suits 300 Calorie Meals and Calorie Controlled Meals without feeling sparse.
Serve it with roasted vegetables or cauliflower mash. Save extra for meal prep. The method scales well for guests. Flavor holds after a day or two. That is the kind of kitchen win we like to keep on repeat.
2) Easy Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Recipe
Low Calorie Chicken Recipes help when the day runs long. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes also help when you want comfort that still feels light. I pour the sauce, set the cooker, and walk away. The room warms with a tangy smell that nudges appetites. The meat turns soft and pulls with a fork. The glaze turns glossy and clings to each bite. You hear a small simmer. You see tiny bubbles kiss the edge. It is calm cooking, not a rush. The secret sits in balance. A little sweet meets sharp vinegar and gentle herbs. Garlic adds a round note. Tomato paste gives body. We eat, we smile, we keep the plates steady on a weeknight table.
This easy method feels like a safety net. If I run errands, dinner still waits. If kids get loud, dinner still waits. The cooker keeps the heat even and kind. The sauce needs no whisk show. It reduces on its own once you thicken it. The texture fits over rice or mash. It also works in lettuce wraps for light chicken recipes that fit a fresh mood. The bite stays clean. Nothing heavy, nothing fussy.
Readers ask where this sits among Healthy Dinner Ideas. I say it lands near the top. You get protein, acid, and a touch of sweet. You get control without a spreadsheet. If you track numbers, you can keep portions near three to four ounces per plate. That keeps this near 300 Calorie Meals for many setups. It feels like a quiet win and a warm plate at the same time.
3) Ingredients for Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Boneless skinless chicken breasts I pick pieces of even size so they cook in sync. The lean cut suits calorie smart chicken ideas and holds the sauce well without turning dry.
Balsamic vinegar This brings sweet tang and a deep aroma. Use a mid range bottle. You want bright fruit and a little wood note. It softens the meat and builds a shiny glaze.
Honey or pure maple syrup A spoon or two smooths the sharp edge. The finish tastes round, not sticky. Pick one and stick with it for the batch so the flavor stays clear.
Garlic Fresh cloves, minced fine. The heat tames the sting and leaves warmth. I keep the pieces small so they melt into the sauce.
Small onion Thin slices sink under the chicken. They go soft and sweet and add body to the juices that gather in the pot.
Tomato paste A spoon gives color and gentle heft. It ties the flavors and helps the sauce coat each shred.
Dried Italian seasoning and dried basil These herbs whisper savory notes that play well with vinegar. They keep the profile friendly and familiar.
Kosher salt and black pepper Simple seasoning wakes up the chicken and keeps the taste bright. I season in the beginning and taste again at the end.
Olive oil A light sear is optional. When I have time, I give each side a quick kiss in a hot pan. Color builds flavor. Skip this on a packed day and it still shines.
Cornstarch mixed with water This slurry tightens the sauce near the end. It turns the liquid into a glaze that clings without feeling gummy.
Fresh parsley A sprinkle at the finish wakes the plate. You get color and a clean herbal lift right before serving.
4) How to Make Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Step one prep Pat the chicken dry. If time allows, warm a skillet with a touch of olive oil and sear each side for one minute. This adds color and a little roasted note. Set the pieces into the cooker.
Step two layer Scatter onion and garlic in the cooker. Lay the chicken on top so juices drip through. The simple stack keeps flavors close and tidy.
Step three whisk Mix balsamic vinegar, honey, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken. The liquid should touch each piece so the cook stays even.
Step four cook Set to low for four hours or high for two. The meat should pull apart with a fork. The pot will smell sweet and sharp and savory at once.
Step five thicken Move the chicken to a plate. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the hot liquid. Turn the cooker to high for ten minutes and let it bubble. The sauce will turn glossy and coat a spoon.
Step six finish Return the chicken and toss so each strand shines. Taste and adjust salt. Spoon over rice, roasted vegetables, or cauliflower mash. This fits Low Calorie Chicken Recipes without giving up comfort.
5) Tips for Making Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Use even pieces. When breast size matches, the cook stays steady. Thick ends stay juicy and thin ends do not dry. If pieces vary, tuck the small ones in the center where heat runs softer.
Mind the vinegar. Good balsamic tastes bright and round. If your bottle leans sharp, add one more teaspoon of honey. That tiny nudge brings peace to the pot and keeps the glaze friendly.
Thicken with care. Add the slurry to simmering liquid and give it time. If it still looks thin after ten minutes, add another small splash of slurry. Stir, wait, taste. Low calorie chicken dinner goals stay intact when the sauce clings without heavy cream.
6) Making Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Ahead of Time
Batch cooking saves the week. I double the recipe on a Sunday and let the cooker hum. One portion hits the table that night. The rest slides into containers for later meals. That plan fits Healthy Dinner Ideas when time runs short.
If you prep in the morning, load the pot and keep it in the fridge. Set the base in the cooker when you get home and start it then. You still eat on time and the flavor holds. The meat stays tender and the glaze stays bright.
This dish also works for sandwiches. Pile the chicken on toasted rolls with a crunchy slaw. Or keep it simple with steamed greens. These calorie smart chicken ideas keep variety on the menu without extra work.
7) Storing Leftover Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Cool the chicken to room temp before packing. Store in a tight container with some sauce so the meat stays moist. In the fridge it keeps four days. In the freezer it holds two months. Label the lid so you do not guess later.
Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth. Stir until the glaze loosens and shines again. Taste for salt at the end. Serve with quick sides and you have dinner without stress.
For meal prep, portion into bowls with rice or vegetables. The sauce seeps into the base during the week. That means extra flavor for zero extra work. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes stay fun when leftovers feel new.
8) Try these Main Course next
9) Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Low Calorie Chicken Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional for searing
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water optional for thickening
- Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry. If time allows, warm a skillet with olive oil and sear each side for one minute. This adds color, skip if rushed.
- Place onion and garlic in the slow cooker. Lay the chicken on top.
- Whisk balsamic vinegar, honey, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours until the chicken shreds with a fork.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the cooking liquid and cook on high for 10 minutes until it thickens. Return the chicken and toss.
- Taste and adjust salt. Garnish with parsley. Serve with roasted vegetables, cauliflower mash, or brown rice.
10) Nutrition
Here is a simple view that matches what many readers track. Serving size near one cup. Calories near two hundred ninety five for the base recipe. Protein near thirty six grams which helps with satiety. Carbs near twenty five grams mostly from the glaze. Fat near six grams with one gram saturated. Sodium around four hundred twenty milligrams when seasoned as written. Sugar near twelve grams from balsamic and honey. Fiber sits near zero so add greens or a grain with fiber to round the plate. This frame fits Baked Chicken Breast Recipes that aim for balance and steady energy. If you swap breasts for thighs, expect a small bump in calories and fat with richer taste. If you cut the sweetener by half, the sauce will read sharper and thinner. I like the written ratio since it holds a friendly middle ground.
Recipe by Linda for Cook Daily Recipe at https://www.cookdailyrecipes.com
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