Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe

This Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken is a game-changer for busy weeknights! Tender chicken breasts slowly cooked in a rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach – it’s like bringing the flavors of Tuscany right to your dinner table with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day, and you’ll return to a restaurant-quality meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Preparation: Just a quick stovetop step for the sauce, then let your slow cooker handle the rest – perfect for those hectic days when you need dinner to practically make itself.
• Rich, Creamy Flavor: The combination of garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasonings creates a sauce that’s velvety and deeply satisfying without being overly heavy.
• Impressive Results: This dish looks and tastes like something from an upscale Italian restaurant, yet requires very little hands-on cooking time.
• Versatile Serving Options: Works beautifully over pasta, rice, or with a side of crusty bread for soaking up that incredible sauce.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken breasts: The star protein that becomes wonderfully tender in the slow cooker. Its mild flavor perfectly absorbs all the wonderful Tuscan seasonings.
• Olive oil: Used for sautéing the garlic, adding a subtle fruity note that’s quintessentially Mediterranean.
• Garlic: Provides that aromatic foundation that makes Italian food so irresistible. Don’t skimp here!
• Heavy cream: Creates the luxurious base for our sauce. This is what gives the dish its restaurant-quality richness.
• Chicken broth: Adds depth to the sauce while keeping it from becoming too heavy. Use reduced sodium to control the salt level.
• Parmesan cheese: Brings a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce naturally. Always go for freshly grated for the best melting and flavor.
• Italian seasoning: A convenient blend of herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme that instantly gives the dish its Tuscan character.
• Salt and pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that bring everything together.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: These little flavor bombs add a sweet-tart punch and beautiful color to the dish. They’re concentrated little packets of umami.
• Fresh spinach: Adds color, nutrition, and a slight earthiness that balances the richness of the cream. It wilts down considerably, so don’t worry about adding too much.

Variations

Want to customize this Tuscan delight? Here are some tasty twists:

• Protein Swap: Try boneless chicken thighs for even more tender, flavorful results. Alternatively, turkey breast cutlets work beautifully too.
• Vegetable Additions: Artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers make excellent additions that complement the Tuscan flavor profile.
• Heat Lovers: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a gentle warmth throughout the dish.
• Herb Boost: Stir in fresh basil just before serving for a bright, aromatic finish.
• Lighter Option: Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream if you want a slightly lighter sauce (though it won’t be quite as thick).

How to Make Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken

Step 1: Create the Flavor Base

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until it becomes fragrant but not browned. This quick step releases all that wonderful garlic flavor that forms the foundation of our sauce.

Step 2: Make the Cream Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. The sauce will still be fairly thin at this point but should coat the back of a spoon.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken

While the sauce simmers, place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Season them generously with Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Scatter the chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the top of the chicken.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce

Once the sauce has reduced slightly, lower the heat and gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese, adding about ¼ cup at a time until smooth and well-incorporated. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

Step 5: Combine and Cook

Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker, trying to cover the chicken as much as possible. Cook on High for 3-4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Step 6: Add the Spinach

Remove the cooked chicken and set aside temporarily. Turn the slow cooker to High if it isn’t already, add the chopped fresh spinach, and stir for a few minutes until it wilts into the sauce.

Step 7: Serve

Return the chicken to the slow cooker, spooning the sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes over the top. Alternatively, plate the chicken and pour the sauce over before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Prevent Curdling: When adding Parmesan to your sauce, make sure the heat is low and whisk constantly to achieve a smooth texture.
• Chicken Thickness: If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, consider cutting them in half horizontally or using a meat mallet to even them out for more consistent cooking.
• Sun-dried Tomato Tip: If using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drain them well but save a tablespoon of the oil to add to your sauce for extra flavor.
• Sauce Control: For a thicker sauce, you can stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Timing Matters: Don’t be tempted to lift the lid during cooking as this can extend cooking time by letting heat escape.

How to Serve

This Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving options:

Perfect Pairings:

• Serve over pasta like fettuccine or penne to soak up that wonderful sauce
• Accompany with creamy mashed potatoes or polenta for ultimate comfort
• Pair with crusty Italian bread or garlic bread for dipping
• Add a simple green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil for a complete meal

Garnish Ideas:

• Fresh basil leaves add color and a hint of anise-like freshness
• Extra Parmesan shavings make for an impressive presentation
• A light crack of fresh black pepper adds a final flavor boost

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This dish actually gets better with time as the flavors continue to meld. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

While cream-based sauces can sometimes separate when frozen, this one holds up surprisingly well. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. The sauce may look slightly grainy when first thawed, but a gentle reheating with a bit of stirring will bring it back together.

Reheating

For best results, reheat leftovers gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth if the sauce seems too thick. Microwave reheating works too, but use medium power and stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from breaking.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
While it’s generally not recommended to use frozen meat in slow cookers for food safety reasons, you can use thawed chicken that was previously frozen. If you must use frozen chicken, add about 1-2 hours to your cooking time and ensure the chicken reaches 165°F internally before serving.

My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?
The sauce will naturally be thinner in a slow cooker due to moisture released from the chicken. For a thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken when done, switch the slow cooker to high, and stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water). Let it cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes to reduce and thicken.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! While it won’t have quite the same richness, you can substitute coconut cream for the heavy cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative. The flavor profile will shift slightly, but it will still be delicious with the sun-dried tomatoes and Italian herbs carrying the dish.

Is there a way to make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead?
Absolutely! Use the sauté function to prepare the garlic and sauce as directed. Add the chicken, seasonings, and sun-dried tomatoes, then pressure cook on high for 10 minutes with a 10-minute natural release. Remove the chicken, switch back to sauté, add the spinach until wilted, then return the chicken to coat with sauce before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken brings restaurant-quality dining to your home with minimal effort. It’s the perfect solution for those days when you want something special but don’t have the time for complicated cooking. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and vibrant vegetables create a meal that satisfies both comfort food cravings and the desire for something a bit more sophisticated. Give it a try – your family will think you spent hours in the kitchen (and I won’t tell them otherwise)!

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