Description
A creamy and flavorful Crockpot Tuscan Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts slow-cooked with garlic, Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan spinach cream sauce. Perfect for an easy and comforting dinner served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5-2 pounds)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 1 (8-oz) jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil with herbs, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated preferred)
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Prep chicken: Spray the inside of a ~4 quart crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Place 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle 2 cloves minced garlic and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Add tomatoes and broth: Spread the drained, chopped sun-dried tomatoes evenly over the chicken. Pour 1/2 cup chicken broth over the top.
- Slow cook: Close the lid and cook on LOW for 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on your slow cooker, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to maintain heat and moisture.
- Finish sauce: Open the lid carefully and remove the chicken breasts; set them aside to rest. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup chopped baby spinach, and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese into the remaining sauce in the slow cooker. For a thicker sauce, dissolve 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 tablespoon cool water and stir it in. Leave the lid off and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until the spinach wilts and sauce bubbles. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Finish and serve: Return the chicken to the slow cooker, spoon the creamy Tuscan sauce over the top, and close the lid. Let the chicken warm through for 5 more minutes. Serve hot with your choice of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best texture and flavor, but store-bought grated cheese works fine.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker thermometer, cook the chicken on low for the full time to ensure safety.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the heavy cream and Parmesan with coconut cream and nutritional yeast, respectively.
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain temperature and moisture.
- Serve over your favorite starch to soak up the delicious creamy sauce.
