Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches are a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for busy days. Tender, shredded chicken cooked in zesty Italian dressing and tomatoes is layered with melted provolone and toasted garlic bread for an easy, satisfying sandwich.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup good Italian dressing
• 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

1. Step 1: Place the chicken breasts in a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the drained diced tomatoes over the chicken.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Pour this mixture over the chicken and tomatoes in the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 hours. Once done, shred the chicken with forks and switch the slow cooker to WARM to keep it hot.
4. Step 4: Bake the garlic bread according to package instructions. In the last minute of baking, place one slice of provolone cheese on four pieces of the garlic bread so the cheese melts perfectly.
5. Step 5: Stir the fresh chopped basil into the shredded chicken. Pile the chicken mixture onto the cheesy garlic bread slices, then top each with another slice of garlic bread to form sandwiches. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
• Use fresh mozzarella instead of provolone for a creamier texture.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers to the slow cooker for extra flavor.
• Serve with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Garlic bread is best fresh but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes. To reheat the chicken, warm gently on the stove or microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and may add extra tenderness and flavor to the dish.

Can I prepare this recipe without a slow cooker?

You can cook the mixture in a covered saucepan over low heat for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the chicken is tender, then shred as directed.

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

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4.5 from 73 reviews

These Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches are a delicious and easy meal perfect for busy days. Tender boneless chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a zesty mixture of Italian dressing, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes, then shredded and mixed with fresh basil. Served on melty provolone cheese-topped garlic bread, these sandwiches are packed with flavor and require minimal hands-on time.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

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Chicken and Sauce

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup good Italian dressing (e.g., Newman’s Own)
• 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

Assembly

• 4 slices Provolone cheese
• 8 slices frozen garlic bread

Instructions

1. Prepare chicken in slow cooker: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into a 6-quart slow cooker. Evenly layer the drained petite cut diced tomatoes on top of the chicken.
2. Make the sauce and combine: In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes until well blended. Pour this sauce mixture over the chicken and tomatoes in the slow cooker.
3. Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW heat for 6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and infused with the flavors of the sauce.
4. Shred the chicken: After cooking, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir in the fresh chopped basil to evenly distribute its flavor. Change the slow cooker setting to WARM to keep the chicken hot while preparing the bread.
5. Prepare the garlic bread: Bake the frozen garlic bread slices according to the package’s instructions. During the final minute of baking, place one slice of provolone cheese atop four of the bread slices to allow the cheese to melt perfectly.
6. Assemble sandwiches: Spoon the shredded Italian chicken mixture over the cheesy garlic bread slices. Top each sandwich with the remaining garlic bread slices to complete the sandwich. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

• Using fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic flavor but can be substituted with dried basil if fresh is unavailable (use 1 tsp dried in that case).
• Draining the diced tomatoes prevents the sandwiches from becoming too soggy.
• If you prefer a spicier sandwich, increase the red pepper flakes to 1/2 tsp or add a dash of hot sauce.
• Provolone cheese can be swapped with mozzarella or fontina for variation.
• For a lower carb option, serve the chicken mixture over a salad or with gluten-free bread instead of garlic bread.

Keywords: slow cooker chicken sandwiches, Italian chicken sandwich, shredded chicken sandwich, slow cooker recipe, easy chicken sandwiches, garlic bread sandwiches, Italian chicken