Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
Ingredients
- 4boneless skinless chicken breasts
about 1/2-pound each; or about 2 pounds chicken in total
- 1 tspsalt
- 1 tspfreshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cheavy cream
do not substitute; the fat in heavy cream is necessary to prevent curdling or separating of the sauce
- ½ cchicken broth
regular or reduced sodium; if using reduced sodium you'll likely want to add more salt
- ½ cgrated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbspcornstarch
- 1 tspdijon mustard
- 1 tspitalian seasoning
- ½ tspsmoked paprika
regular paprika may be substituted
- 3 clovesgarlic
finely minced
- ½ csun-dried tomatoes in oil)
drained and blotted (dice them if necessary because they're on the bigger side
- 1 ½ cfresh baby spinach
Directions
- 1
Spray the insert of your slow cooker with cooking spray if desired and add the chicken. Season it with salt and pepper. Set aside momentarily. Chicken Tips - Chicken comes in all shapes and sizes. I use breasts that are of an even , normal thickness and not "thin-sliced" which are NOT a great choice here nor are chicken tenders or small pieces of chicken because they will cook very quickly and can actually overcook before the sauce has thickened and reduced. If your chicken is very thick/big, slice it into 1/2-inch pieces; and/or pound with a meat tenderizing tool.
- 2
To a small bowl or 2-cup measuring cup, add the cream, broth, Parmesan, cornstarch, Dijon, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic, and whisk to combine. It will not be "smooth" due to the cheese and the garlic which is fine. Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken.
- 3
Evenly scatter the sun dried tomatoes over and around the chicken.
- 4
Place the lid on the slow cooker and slow cook for about 4-5 hours on LOW, OR about 2-3 hours on HIGH. Cooking Tips - If you have the time, I prefer low heat for this recipe because the cream is less likely to curdle or separate with low-and-slow heat. However, don't cook for more than 5 hours (unless chicken truly isn't done) because you will risk the sauce breaking or separating. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165F.
- 5
In the final 10 minutes or so of cooking, give the sauce a good stir to make it cohesive. Add the spinach, nestle it into the sauce by stirring it in, place the cover back on, and cook for another 10 minutes or until the spinach wilts.
- 6
Taste the sauce, and make any necessary flavor adjustments such as more salt, pepper, paprika, etc. Optionally garnish the chicken with extra Parmesan and serve immediately with pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite sides.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
Similar Recipes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8248518-slow-cooker-zuppa-toscana-Frances-4x3-1-87088c3b4eb34e8ea9b0d71e041a42e8.jpg)
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 18 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Dreaming of a comforting, restaurant-quality meal without the fuss? This Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth tender chicken bathed in a rich, creamy sauce, all with minimal effort. It’s a stress-free dinner solution that the whole family will love!
The magic happens in your Crockpot, allowing boneless skinless chicken breasts to slow cook to ultimate tenderness without any stovetop searing or transferring. This hands-off approach ensures the chicken remains incredibly moist while infusing every bite with the savory flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs. The secret to its velvety perfection is the heavy cream, carefully balanced to create a luxurious sauce that won't curdle.
Get ready for incredibly tender chicken that practically falls apart, enveloped in a luscious, golden sauce. Each spoonful offers a delightful interplay of savory Parmesan, the sweet-tart intensity of sun-dried tomatoes, and the subtle warmth of smoked paprika, brightened by fresh spinach. It's a comforting, hearty dish that feels gourmet but is surprisingly simple to achieve, making weeknight dinners a breeze and leaving you with more time to relax.
For a slight variation, while boneless skinless chicken breasts create a wonderfully tender result, you could experiment with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even richer flavor. If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika may be substituted without issue. You can also add extra fresh baby spinach if you like a more vegetable-forward dish.
This comforting Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken is ideal for a weeknight family dinner or a relaxed gathering with friends. Serve it generously spooned over your favorite pasta to soak up every last drop of the luscious, creamy sauce.