Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe

There’s something magical about a slow cooker meal. The anticipation of a dish that simmers all day, allowing flavors to meld together, makes dinner feel like a special occasion. Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is one such dish—a creamy, savory, and wholesome meal that transports your taste buds straight to Italy.

The combination of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious garlic cream sauce creates a decadent yet healthy dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a comforting weekend dinner.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables

1. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 2: Layer the Crockpot

1. Place the Chicken in the Crockpot: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Add the Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach: Sprinkle the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach on top of the chicken.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce

1. Combine the Broth and Cream: In a bowl, mix together the chicken broth and heavy cream. Pour this mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the crockpot.
2. Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, ensuring it’s well mixed into the sauce.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

1. Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be tender and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
2. Check for Doneness: About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, check the chicken. If the sauce is too thin, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then add it to the crockpot. This will thicken the sauce as it finishes cooking.

Step 5: Serve

1. Garnish with Fresh Basil: For added flavor and a pop of color, sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the finished dish.
2. Serve Hot: Ladle the creamy Tuscan chicken onto plates, ensuring each portion gets plenty of sauce, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Tips for the Best Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Tenderness

While chicken breasts are a leaner option, chicken thighs are juicier and remain tender, even after slow cooking for hours. Thighs also add a richer flavor to the dish.

Don’t Skimp on the Parmesan Cheese

The Parmesan cheese is essential to the richness of this dish. Grate it fresh if possible to get the best flavor and texture in the creamy sauce.

Cook Low and Slow

For the most tender chicken, always opt for the low setting on your crockpot. While cooking on high is quicker, it may cause the chicken to dry out slightly. Slow cooking allows the chicken to absorb all the flavors, ensuring it stays moist.

Add Vegetables for Extra Nutrition

You can easily customize this recipe by adding other vegetables. Mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini work wonderfully in this dish, adding texture and nutritional value.

Variations on Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

Crockpot Tuscan Chicken with Potatoes

For a heartier version, add cubed baby potatoes to the crockpot. The potatoes will soak up the creamy sauce and pair perfectly with the tender chicken.

Dairy-Free Tuscan Chicken

To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. You can also use a dairy-free Parmesan cheese alternative to keep the creamy texture without the dairy.

Low-Carb Tuscan Chicken

For a keto-friendly meal, serve the Tuscan chicken with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta or rice. The rich, creamy sauce pairs perfectly with low-carb alternatives.

Spicy Tuscan Chicken

If you like a bit of spice, add crushed red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the crockpot when adding the chicken. The heat will balance out the creaminess of the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with Pasta

Tuscan chicken pairs beautifully with pasta like fettuccine or penne. The creamy sauce coats the noodles, creating a rich, indulgent meal.

Crusty Bread for Dipping

A slice of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce. Garlic bread or a rustic Italian loaf works especially well.

Mashed Potatoes

For an extra cozy meal, serve the Tuscan chicken over a bed of mashed potatoes. The creamy sauce combined with the fluffy potatoes creates a decadent combination.

Side Salad

To balance out the richness of the dish, serve it with a simple side salad. A mix of arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast to the creamy chicken.

FAQs

Can I make Crockpot Tuscan Chicken ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep! You can prepare the ingredients in the morning and let the crockpot do the work throughout the day. It also reheats well, making it a perfect make-ahead meal.

Can I freeze Crockpot Tuscan Chicken?

Absolutely! Let the chicken cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight and reheat in a saucepan over low heat.

What can I serve with Crockpot Tuscan Chicken?

This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or even a simple green salad. The creamy sauce complements a variety of sides.

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it will increase the cooking time. Make sure to adjust the cooking time in the crockpot accordingly and ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F before serving.

Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for the Instant Pot. Sauté the onion and garlic in the Instant Pot using the sauté function, then add the remaining ingredients. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.

Yield: 6

Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe

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There’s something magical about a slow cooker meal. The anticipation of a dish that simmers all day, allowing flavors to meld together, makes dinner feel like a special occasion. Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is one such dish—a creamy, savory, and wholesome meal that transports your taste buds straight to Italy. The combination of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious garlic cream sauce creates a decadent yet healthy dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or a comforting weekend dinner.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 hours

Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional for searing)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water to thicken sauce, optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken (Optional) Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. This adds flavor, but you can skip this step if pressed for time.
2. Add to Crockpot Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot. In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
3. Cook Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
4. Add Spinach In the last 20-30 minutes of cooking, add the chopped spinach to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine, allowing the spinach to wilt into the sauce.
5. Thicken Sauce (Optional) If you'd like a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry during the last 15 minutes of cooking and let it cook until the sauce thickens.
6. Serve Once the chicken is done, serve it with the creamy sauce on top. Pair with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete meal.

Notes

Searing the chicken: Adds a richer flavor, but can be skipped for convenience.

Variations: Add mushrooms or artichoke hearts for more texture and flavor.

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.