Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a rich, satisfying dinner
made with tender chicken, garlic, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a creamy sauce.
It’s an easy slow cooker meal with plenty of savory flavor and a wonderfully creamy finish.
There’s something especially inviting about a dinner that starts with a few simple ingredients and slowly develops into something rich and flavorful. This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken brings together fragrant garlic, nutty Parmesan, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach for a comforting meal that feels special without requiring complicated preparation.
The creamy sauce coats the chicken beautifully, while the sun-dried tomatoes add little bursts of tangy, savory flavor throughout. Fresh spinach is stirred in at the end, adding color and a fresh contrast to the richness of the sauce.
This is the kind of chicken dinner that works especially well when you want something hearty and comforting without spending the entire evening in the kitchen. Once the sauce and chicken are prepared, the slow cooker takes over the main cooking stage.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy preparation: The recipe uses straightforward ingredients and simple cooking steps, making it approachable for a weeknight meal.
- Rich, creamy sauce: Heavy cream and Parmesan create a smooth sauce that coats the chicken and brings all the flavors together.
- Big flavor from simple ingredients: Garlic, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes give the dish plenty of savory depth.
- Slow cooker convenience: The chicken cooks gently in the creamy sauce, making this a practical option when you want dinner to take care of itself.
- Fresh finish: Chopped spinach is added toward the end, giving the finished dish a fresh green element.
- Family-friendly comfort food: Tender chicken and a creamy Parmesan sauce make this an easy dish to pair with favorite sides.
For Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this dish, providing a tender and juicy base.
- Olive Oil – Used to sauté the garlic and infuse the sauce with a rich flavor.
- Garlic – Minced to give the sauce a fragrant, savory kick.
- Heavy Cream – Creates the creamy texture that makes this dish so comforting.
- Chicken Broth – Adds a bit of depth and helps balance the richness of the cream.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – Gives the sauce a salty, nutty flavor that enhances the creaminess.
- Italian Seasoning – A blend of herbs that gives the dish its aromatic Italian flair.
- Sea Salt – To taste, helps bring out all the flavors.
- Black Pepper – Adds a touch of heat and depth to the sauce.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – These bring a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that complements the richness of the sauce.
- Fresh Spinach – Chopped and added at the end to provide a fresh, green contrast to the creamy sauce.
For Slow Cooker Tuscan Sauce
- Heavy Cream – Used to form the base of the creamy sauce.
- Chicken Broth – Balances the creaminess and adds a savory depth.
- Parmesan Cheese – Stirred in to create a velvety, cheesy sauce.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Adds a burst of umami flavor to the sauce.
- Spinach – Wilted in the sauce for added freshness and color.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Sauce
Start by heating the olive oil in a medium saucepan and sautéing the minced garlic until fragrant. The cream and chicken broth are then added and gently simmered until the sauce thickens slightly.
The goal at this stage is a sauce that is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon before the Parmesan is incorporated.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
While the sauce is simmering, place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season them with Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper, then add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
This creates the savory base that the creamy sauce will cook with.
Step 3: Finish the Parmesan Sauce
Once the sauce has thickened slightly, reduce the heat and gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Adding the cheese a little at a time helps create a smooth, creamy sauce.
Step 4: Slow Cook the Chicken
Pour the finished sauce over the seasoned chicken, making sure the chicken is covered with as much sauce as possible. The chicken then cooks in the slow cooker until the cooking time is complete.
As it cooks, the chicken and sauce come together into a rich, savory main dish.
Step 5: Wilt the Spinach and Finish
Once the chicken is finished cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and set it aside. Turn the slow cooker to High, add the chopped spinach, and stir until the spinach wilts.
Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy sauce over the chicken before serving.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken
- Prepare the sauce as directed: The sauce is built separately before it goes into the slow cooker, so give the cream and broth enough time to thicken slightly before adding the Parmesan.
- Add Parmesan gradually: Stir the cheese in a little at a time to help keep the sauce smooth and creamy.
- Cover the chicken well: When adding the sauce to the slow cooker, spoon it over the chicken so as much of the chicken as possible is covered.
- Add the spinach at the end: The recipe specifically adds the spinach after the chicken has finished cooking, allowing it to wilt without being overcooked.
- For a thicker sauce: The recipe notes that the sauce can be simmered longer before the Parmesan is added.
- Season to taste: The sauce is tasted and adjusted for seasoning before it is poured over the chicken.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the sauce-thickening step: The cream and broth are simmered before the Parmesan is added. Allowing the sauce to thicken slightly helps give it the intended consistency.
- Adding all the Parmesan at once: Gradually stirring in the cheese helps create a smooth sauce.
- Forgetting to season the chicken: Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper are added directly to the chicken before cooking.
- Adding the spinach too early: The recipe adds the spinach after the chicken has finished cooking so it can wilt at the end.
- Not covering the chicken with sauce: Pour the sauce over the chicken and use a spoon to help cover as much of it as possible.
- Overlooking the sun-dried tomatoes: They are an important part of the flavor profile, adding tangy, savory bites throughout the creamy dish.
Easy Ways to Change It Up
The original recipe is best enjoyed as written, but there are a few ways to make an optional variation if you want to use ingredients you already have.
- Use chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts.
- Try a different tomato option: If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes or tomato paste can provide a different variation, as suggested with the recipe.
- Add mushrooms: Mushrooms can be added with the chicken for an additional hearty element.
- Add bell peppers: Bell peppers are another optional vegetable that can be cooked along with the chicken.
- Adjust the vegetables: Other vegetables can be added according to preference, keeping in mind that they may change the texture and cooking result.
- Adjust the sauce consistency: For a thicker sauce, follow the recipe’s note about simmering the sauce longer before adding the Parmesan.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken is naturally suited to a hearty dinner table. Spoon plenty of the creamy sauce, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken when serving.
The rich sauce also makes the dish a good match for something that can soak up the extra sauce, such as bread, rice, or pasta. A simple vegetable side or fresh salad can also provide a lighter contrast to the creamy chicken.
For a casual family dinner, serve the chicken directly from the slow cooker with the sauce spooned generously over each portion.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days, according to the recipe notes.
The dish can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
For reheating, the recipe notes that the chicken reheats well in the microwave or on the Warm setting in the slow cooker. When reheating, keep the creamy sauce with the chicken so the dish retains its rich, saucy texture.
If preparing the dish ahead for later, keep the chicken and sauce together rather than separating the components unnecessarily.
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They’re just as comforting, flavorful, and easy to make for any weeknight dinner.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- ⅓ cup Chicken broth (reduced sodium)
- ¾ cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ lb Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
- ½ cup Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups Fresh spinach, chopped and packed
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Add the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly (enough to coat the back of a spoon).
- Prepare the chicken: While the sauce simmers, place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Season with Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Top with chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Finish the sauce: Once the sauce has thickened a bit, reduce the heat to low. Gradually stir in the parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Slow cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring the chicken is covered with as much sauce as possible. Cook on High for 3-4 hours or on Low for 6-8 hours.
- Wilt the spinach: Once cooking time is complete, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set it aside. Turn the slow cooker to High, add the chopped spinach, and stir for a few minutes until wilted.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the slow cooker, spoon the spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and sauce over the chicken, and serve.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, you can simmer the sauce longer before adding the parmesan cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- This dish reheats well in the microwave or on the Warm setting in the slow cooker.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They’re more forgiving, staying juicy and tender in the slow cooker, and they’ll work just as well for this dish!
- Do I really need to sauté the garlic first?
Sautéing the garlic in olive oil brings out its rich flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can add it directly to the slow cooker. It will still be delicious, though a bit less fragrant!
- Can I skip the sun-dried tomatoes?
While sun-dried tomatoes add a lovely tang and depth, you can skip them if you don’t have them on hand. Try substituting with fresh tomatoes or a spoonful of tomato paste for a different twist.
- How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you want a thicker sauce, simply reduce the chicken broth by a little or mix in a bit of cornstarch toward the end of cooking. You can also simmer the sauce on high for the last 30 minutes to reduce it.
- Can I add vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers?
Yes! Feel free to toss in mushrooms, bell peppers, or any other vegetables you love. Add them in with the chicken to cook, and you’ll have a more hearty dish.
