If there’s one dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into an Italian-inspired celebration, it’s Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken. Packed with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, creamy parmesan sauce, and a handful of spinach, this one-pot wonder is as easy as it is indulgent. Trust me, the aroma of this gently simmering comfort food will make you swoon before you’ve even had your first bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple and Hands-Off: After a few quick steps, your slow cooker does all the work—hello, fuss-free dinner!
- Flavor-Packed Creamy Sauce: The luscious parmesan-garlic cream sauce is irresistible and soaks right into the chicken for ultimate richness.
- Impressive Enough for Guests: The sun-dried tomatoes and vibrant spinach make it look and taste like you ordered from an Italian trattoria.
- Versatile for Every Diet: The recipe adapts easily for keto, gluten-free, or veggie-packed lifestyles, so everyone can dive in!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a mile-long list to create restaurant-quality Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken—just a handful of thoughtfully chosen ingredients that each add their own special magic, from rich creaminess to savory depth and pops of color.
- Chicken thighs (1 ½ lbs, boneless and skinless): These are ultra-juicy and they soak up all the flavors beautifully. You can use breasts if you prefer a leaner option.
- Baby spinach (3 oz): Adds a beautiful touch of color and freshness right at the end—no bitter greens, just silky goodness.
- Parmesan cheese (1 cup, grated): Nothing beats the nutty, salty richness that real parmesan brings to the sauce.
- Heavy cream (1 cup): Responsible for that heavenly creaminess that makes the sauce so luxurious.
- Sun-dried tomatoes (½ cup, sliced): A little tang and chew add bursts of sweet-savory Italian flavor.
- Chicken stock (½ cup): Balances out the cream and intensifies the savory notes.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): For that unmistakable aromatic base—don’t be shy with the garlic!
- Unsalted butter (3 tbsp): Adds body and rich flavor to the sauce—it’s worth the extra step.
- Oil from sun-dried tomato jar (1 tbsp): Infuses the sauce with extra herby tomato essence—delicious!
- Dried parsley (2 tsp), dried basil (½ tsp), dried oregano (¼ tsp): This blend brings classic Tuscan notes and a hint of earthiness to every bite.
- Salt (½ tsp) and ground black pepper (¼ tsp): Essential to round out all the flavors—taste as you go!
Variations
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken shines in its adaptability—swap, add, or tweak ingredients to suit your craving, dietary goals, or whatever you’ve got tucked in the fridge. Everyone can make this recipe their own!
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast instead of cream and parmesan for a rich, velvety sauce without dairy.
- Add Veggies: Toss in mushrooms or zucchini slices along with the chicken for more bulk, texture, and color—no fuss if you want extra greens!
- Swap the Protein: Try boneless chicken breasts or turkey thighs, or even toss in some shrimp for the last hour of cooking for a seafood spin.
- Pep It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped Calabrian chilies if you like a little heat in your Tuscan adventure.
How to Make Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics and Build the Sauce
Start by melting the butter with that delightful sun-dried tomato oil in a medium saucepan. Add the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant—about 20 seconds (you want it golden, not brown). Pour in chicken stock and heavy cream, let it all simmer away for 8 minutes, then whisk in parmesan and simmer a few minutes longer until you have a dreamy, thick sauce worthy of a Tuscan trattoria.
Step 2: Assemble in the Slow Cooker
Arrange your chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker, then sprinkle them with basil, oregano, parsley, salt, and ground pepper—don’t worry about evenness, the slow cooker will meld it all together. Scatter the sun-dried tomatoes on top of the chicken for gorgeous pops of flavor and color.
Step 3: Pour, Cook, and Finish with Spinach
Pour the hot cream sauce all over everything, then cover and let the slow cooker work its magic for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. When the chicken is melt-in-your-mouth tender, remove it and toss spinach directly into the sauce—cover until wilted, then return the chicken and spoon that glorious sauce right over the top for serving.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
- Sauce Simmer Magic: For the creamiest sauce, let it simmer until it coats the back of a spoon before pouring it into the slow cooker.
- Don’t Skip Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: This oil is loaded with Mediterranean herbs and flavor—just a tablespoon makes a difference.
- Layering Matters: Always place the chicken at the bottom and sun-dried tomatoes above so the chicken stays juicy and the tomatoes infuse the sauce.
- Last-Minute Spinach: Stir in spinach at the very end to keep it vibrant and wilty-green, never mushy.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
Garnishes
Garnish your Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken with a generous dusting of freshly grated parmesan, a scatter of chopped fresh parsley, and a crack of black pepper. For a special touch, a few extra slivers of sun-dried tomato on top add gorgeous color and vibrant flavor.
Side Dishes
This luscious dish is perfect over a tangle of buttery noodles, creamy polenta, or mashed potatoes—each soaks up that lovely sauce. For a lighter meal, try serving it alongside garlicky sautéed green beans or a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil.
Creative Ways to Present
Present Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken family-style on a large platter, letting everyone spoon over sauce to their liking. For a special occasion, serve individual portions in shallow bowls over risotto with an extra flourish of fresh herbs for a restaurant-worthy plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken stores beautifully! Simply transfer cooled portions to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making next-day leftovers even more irresistible.
Freezing
For busy weeks, freeze individual servings (chicken and sauce together) in freezer-safe containers. The creamy sauce may separate a bit after thawing, but a gentle stir while reheating brings it back together.
Reheating
Gently reheat Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk if the sauce thickens too much. Give everything a good stir for silky-smooth goodness.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well—just be sure not to overcook or they’ll dry out. Cook on low for best results, and slice or shred before serving so the sauce seeps into every bite.
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What if my sauce looks too thin?
If the sauce is thinner than you’d like after slow cooking, remove the chicken and simmer the sauce on the stove for a few minutes. It’ll thicken beautifully—you can also stir in a spoonful of cream cheese for extra body.
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Can I make Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken ahead of time?
Definitely! You can assemble everything but the spinach the night before and start cooking in the morning. Or, make the full recipe, refrigerate, and reheat for a stress-free dinner later in the week.
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Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes! The standard recipe for Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken is naturally gluten-free, just be sure the parmesan and stock you use are certified gluten-free if you’re especially sensitive.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken becomes one of your go-to favorites—it’s comfort food with a touch of elegance, yet so doable for any night of the week. Gather your family, pass around the parmesan, and get ready to fall in love with every creamy, savory bite. Buon appetito!
Print
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken recipe is a creamy and flavorful dish that is easy to prepare. Tender chicken cooked in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, served over pasta or rice.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon oil from jar of sun-dried tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced (packed in oil)
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Additional:
- 3 ounces baby spinach
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: In a saucepan, sauté butter, oil, and garlic. Add chicken stock and heavy cream, simmer until thickened. Stir in parmesan cheese.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Place chicken in slow cooker, season with herbs. Add sun-dried tomatoes, pour sauce over chicken. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Finish: Remove chicken, add spinach to slow cooker until wilted. Serve chicken with sauce poured over the top.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with pasta or rice.
- For a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry towards the end of cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 464 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 686mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
