If you’re searching for a cozy, hands-off dinner idea that delivers big on flavor, you’re going to want to bookmark this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe. I absolutely love how tender and juicy the chicken turns out after slow cooking in a creamy, garlicky sauce packed with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. When I first tried this recipe, I was hooked — it’s simple to prep yet feels fancy enough for guests, and the whole family goes crazy for it. Trust me, you’ll find that this dish quickly becomes a go-to for busy weeknights or anytime you want comfort food without the fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Just a 10-minute prep and your slow cooker does the magic while you relax or tackle other tasks.
- Rich, Creamy Flavor: The sauce is silky with Parmesan and cream that tastes indulgent but feels cozy.
- Versatile Meal: Pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or even crusty bread to soak up that amazing sauce.
- Family Favorite: I’ve watched this dish vanish from the table during weeknight dinners more times than I can count.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe come together in a way that’s both simple and satisfying. I always look for fresh spinach and good-quality sun-dried tomatoes because they really make the flavors pop.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Choose chicken breasts that are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Salt: The right amount enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that gives this dish its signature Tuscan vibe.
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth that rounds out the spices.
- Pepper: Freshly ground if possible, for a little kick.
- Heavy whipping cream: This is key for that rich, velvety sauce.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce perfectly without lumps.
- Garlic: Minced super fine — I always smell the kitchen start to sing when garlic’s involved.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Make sure to drain and chop — they give a burst of tang and depth.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated, never pre-shredded if you can avoid it, for the best melt and flavor.
- Fresh spinach: Adds color, freshness, and just a little bite to balance the richness.
Variations
I like to keep the basics of this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe intact, but sometimes I switch it up based on what I have on hand or to suit different tastes. Feel free to personalize it—you really can’t go wrong.
- Protein Swap: I swapped chicken breasts for thighs once — the extra fat made the dish even more luscious, and my family loved that twist.
- Veggie Boost: Toss in some sliced mushrooms or artichoke hearts before slow cooking for extra texture and flavor variety.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream or cashew cream in place of heavy cream to make it allergy-friendly while still creamy.
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat that wakes up the palate.
How to Make Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season Your Chicken
Start by placing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into a 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. Use chicken breasts that are pretty uniform in size so they cook evenly. Then, in a small bowl, mix salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper. I discovered that this simple seasoning combo gives the chicken just the right balance of herbs and warmth. Sprinkle this seasoning evenly over the chicken, making sure every piece gets coated well.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Sauce
While your chicken settles in, grab a separate bowl to combine the heavy whipping cream and cornstarch. Whisk it together so the cornstarch fully dissolves — this will help your sauce thicken beautifully while cooking. Add in the minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine everything into a luscious mixture. The garlic here really freshens the sauce, and the sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavor that I adore.
Step 3: Slow Cook and Finish
Pour the cream sauce evenly over the chicken in your crockpot. Cover and cook on low for about 3 hours. You’ll want to check for doneness but be careful not to overcook your chicken — once it’s tender and reaches the safe internal temp, it’s ready. Towards the end of cooking, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and add fresh spinach right on top. Close the lid and let the residual heat wilt the spinach and melt the cheese into the sauce for about 5 to 10 more minutes.
Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe
- Even Size Chicken: Try to buy or cut chicken breasts so they’re similar in thickness for even cooking.
- Sauce Consistency Check: If the sauce looks too runny at the end, remove the chicken and cook the sauce on high (without the lid) for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
- Sun-Dried Tomato Prep: Drain the tomatoes well before chopping to avoid excess liquid diluting the sauce.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Give the chicken enough space in the crockpot so the sauce can circulate evenly around each piece.
How to Serve Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I usually garnish this dish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and a little fresh parsley or basil if I have it on hand. The greenery adds a fresh pop of color that brightens the creamy richness and makes the plate look inviting. A little cracked black pepper on top never hurts either!
Side Dishes
This Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe pairs perfectly with al dente pasta like fettuccine or penne to soak up every bit of that creamy sauce. For a lighter option, steamed rice or buttery mashed potatoes also work beautifully. And if you want to add a quick veggie side, roasted asparagus or garlic-green beans balance the richness well.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I sometimes serve this chicken sliced on a platter layered over a bed of sautéed spinach and scatter a few toasted pine nuts on top for crunch. Adding a loaf of fresh sourdough alongside lets guests help themselves to the sauce. It looks elegant but is super easy to pull together—I love those kinds of recipes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I learned it’s best to keep the chicken separate from any sides to maintain its texture and reheat just before serving. The sauce stays delicious and even seems to intensify overnight.
Freezing
This recipe freezes surprisingly well. After cooling, I portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers and label them. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating
When reheating leftovers, I prefer warming the dish on low heat in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth to refresh the sauce and keep it from drying out. Avoid microwaving straight from frozen or on high heat to prevent overcooked chicken.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor and will work perfectly slow-cooked in this recipe. Just keep an eye on cooking time—it may finish a bit earlier since thighs often cook faster.
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How thick should I cut sun-dried tomatoes for the sauce?
I recommend finely chopping sun-dried tomatoes into small pieces. This helps their tangy flavor disperse evenly throughout the creamy sauce without large chewy chunks. Also, be sure to drain any excess oil or liquid before adding them.
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What can I serve alongside Crockpot Tuscan Chicken to keep it low-carb?
Great low-carb sides include cauliflower rice, roasted non-starchy veggies like asparagus or broccoli, or a simple leafy green salad. These options complement the rich dish without adding extra carbs.
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Can I prepare this recipe in advance or freeze leftovers?
Yes! This dish stores well in the fridge for a few days and freezes beautifully. Just reheat gently to keep the chicken tender and sauce creamy.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes I always recommend when friends ask for easy but impressive slow cooker meals. It hits all the sweet spots with creamy richness, fresh flavors, and minimal effort. I hope you’ll enjoy making this recipe as much as I do—it’s become a comforting favorite in my kitchen, and I think it’ll earn a special place in yours too. Don’t hesitate to tweak the ingredients and sides to your liking, then gather around the table and savor every bite!
PrintCrockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Total Time: 190 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Crockpot Tuscan Chicken features tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken breasts slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach. It’s an easy, hands-off dinner that’s ready in just over three hours and perfect served over pasta or rice.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in your 3- to 4-quart slow cooker, arranging them evenly at the bottom.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, mix together ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon paprika, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning blend evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Combine sauce ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 3 cloves finely minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper until smooth. Stir in ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add sauce to slow cooker and cook: Pour the prepared cream sauce mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, making sure the chicken is well coated. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Cook low and slow: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 3 hours (180 minutes), or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Finish with spinach: About 5 to 10 minutes before serving, stir 1 cup chopped fresh spinach into the crockpot. Replace the lid and let the spinach wilt and incorporate into the sauce.
- Serve: Once the spinach is wilted and the sauce is creamy and thickened, serve the Tuscan chicken over your choice of pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a hearty and flavorful meal.
Notes
- This recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep, then slow cooks hands-free to develop rich, deep flavors.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the creamy Tuscan sauce.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy depth, but you can use fresh diced tomatoes if preferred.
- Make sure to stir in the spinach at the end to keep its vibrant color and fresh taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 260 grams
- Calories: 393 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 712 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 159 mg
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