Creamy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
A simple, comforting slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken breasts in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy days and cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably jarred in oil)
- 3 cups fresh spinach, loosely packed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary mix)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the sautéed garlic and sun-dried tomatoes evenly over the chicken.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream over the chicken and toppings. Do not stir to keep layers intact.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender.
- About 30 minutes before cooking ends, stir in fresh spinach and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Replace lid and continue cooking.
- Once done, gently stir the sauce to combine melted cheese and spinach into the creamy base. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve warm over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
[‘Sautéing garlic and sun-dried tomatoes enhances flavor significantly.’, ‘Use fresh spinach to avoid excess water thinning the sauce.’, ‘Layer ingredients instead of stirring before cooking to keep chicken moist.’, ‘If sauce is too thin, stir in a cornstarch slurry and cook on high for 10-15 minutes to thicken.’, ‘Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after cooking to thicken sauce and settle flavors.’, ‘For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with almond milk mixed with cornstarch and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.’, ‘Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts; adjust cooking time accordingly.’, ‘Can be prepared ahead by assembling in slow cooker insert and refrigerating overnight.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, Tuscan chicken, creamy chicken recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan