Slow Cooker Coconut Basil Chicken

What's that you say? Creamy coconut basil sauce spiked with lime and a touch of spice? I think I'm in love. Given my deep and unabiding obsession with the mixture of basil and coconut, I would (and do!) eat this sauce on almost anything — noodles, brown rice, quinoa, veggies, and especially this slow cooker chicken breast.

Why? Well, for starters, the flavors in the sauce deepen as they cook and chicken just happens to be the perfect vehicle to absorb and capture all that flavor. Plus, there is only about 10 minutes of prep time on your part and then all the actual magic happens in the slow cooker, while you're off doing other fun things.

How can I customize this Crockpot Coconut Basil Chicken?

Depending on your preferences, there are a few tweaks you can make to the sauce to make it exactly what your craving.

• If you love Thai curry, consider adding some green curry paste.
• If you like a sweeter sauce, add some brown sugar or honey.
• Love cilantro? Add some fresh cilantro to the mix along with the basil.
• Play with the amount of spice by adding jalapenos and up the ginger if that's your thing.
• If you want to add some veggies to the mix without any additional cooking, just add them to the slow cooker. For heartier veggies like squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, or carrots you can add them from the start. For quicker-cooking veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, pea pods, zucchini, spinach, or bok choy, add them in the last 30 minutes of cooking so they stay crisp.

You get the idea, just taste the sauce as you blend until you have a sauce you love. Then, get the right ingredients in the slow cooker either in the beginning or toward the end to eat the exact chicken dish that you'll love to devour.

Side Dish and Serving Ideas

I like to serve this dish in a variety of ways:

• Over rice is the most obvious choice, and the way I serve it most frequently. White, brown, wild, or even cauliflower rice will work great under or mixed into this Thai chicken dish.
• You can eat this chicken all by itself or with extra veggies for a hearty stew of a meal.
• There's no shame in pairing this delicious, nutritious dish with a piece of baguette, French bread, or dinner rolls.
• You can shred the chicken and use tongs to help drain off some of the sauce as you add it to a hoagie roll. Top with Sriracha or another chili pepper sauce for a yummy, Thai-inspired sandwich.
• Try adding the shredded chicken to a whole wheat tortilla and topping with your favorite add-ons for an Asian taco feast.

What makes this Coconut Basil Chicken Healthy?

This dish isn't only delicious, it's good for you too!

• Chicken is a great protein source and it's low in fat and calories. Protein is filling and helps to repair and rebuild muscles.
• Lite coconut milk is lower in saturated fat than its full-fat counterpart. Coconut milk contains MCTs, which have been linked to weight loss, as well as a lipid called lauric acid, which can help support the immune system.
• Basil contains vitamins that your body loves, like vitamins K, A, and C. It also provides magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and manganese. Essential oils are also made from basil and are used to treat infections, cuts, and wounds.
• Ginger has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. It has been known to help with digestion and upset stomachs, and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also lower your blood sugar and lower your chances of heart disease.
• Spicy peppers like jalapenos are thought to help with weight loss because of their capsaicin (the chemical that makes them hot). Capsaicin is also a known anti-inflammatory and can help clear stuffy sinuses. They can also help lower your blood pressure and can help cells fight off free radicals and heal themselves.
• Garlic is good for your heart and also has antibacterial properties. It's low in fat and calories and contains a lot of vitamin B6 and vitamin C, plus manganese. It can also make your hair and skin healthy.
• Citrus fruits like limes are also immunity-boosters. They are good for your heart, can help prevent kidney stones, make your skin glow, and also help your body absorb iron when taken with foods that contain iron.
• Spices such as turmeric, cumin, curry powder, and cinnamon add a lot of flavor without adding any calories, fat, or cholesterol. They have antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and can help shorten the length of colds, allergies, and other minor illnesses.

This recipe was originally shared in 2015 but has been updated with new photos and tips.