There’s something truly magical about a dish that transforms simple ingredients into pure comfort. My Crockpot Tuscan Chicken recipe does just that. It delivers incredibly tender chicken swimming in a luxuriously creamy sauce, studded with vibrant sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. This slow cooker meal is a weeknight superhero, saving the day with minimal effort.
I often make this when friends drop by unexpectedly. They rave about the rich flavor, not realizing how little time I spent actively cooking. It’s a dish that feels special enough for guests but is simple enough for any Tuesday night, and leftovers reheat beautifully.
Why I Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is a go-to in my kitchen!
- Effortless Weeknights: It’s a dump-and-go wonder. Seriously, minimal prep, maximum flavor.
- Flavor Fiesta: The creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken are pure bliss.
- Impressive Yet Easy: It tastes gourmet but takes mere minutes to assemble. Perfect for busy moms and professionals alike!
- Comfort Food King: It’s incredibly satisfying and always a crowd-pleaser.
Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Ingredients
The magic of this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken truly starts with its vibrant ingredients. They come together to create a dish that’s both comforting and bursting with flavor. Each component plays a vital role in making this slow cooker meal a winner.
Core Ingredients and Their Roles
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless thighs or breasts form the hearty base of our dish, becoming incredibly tender during the slow cooking process.
- Onion and Garlic: These aromatics build a foundational layer of savory flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes (and Rotel): They provide a bright, acidic counterpoint and create much of the sauce base, especially when undrained. Rotel adds a welcome kick if you like spice.
- Chicken Broth: This liquid helps everything cook down beautifully in the slow cooker and adds depth to the sauce.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These little gems are flavor bombs! Their intense, slightly sweet, and tangy taste is key to the Tuscan essence.
- Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese: This dynamic duo transforms the broth into a rich, luscious, and savory sauce that coats everything perfectly.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach adds a pop of color, a healthy dose of greens, and wilts down beautifully into the creamy sauce at the end.
Seasoning Basics
Simple seasonings like oregano, basil, salt, and pepper bring out the best in our Tuscan chicken. Red pepper flakes are optional but add a lovely warmth.
Substitutions and Tips
Don’t have sun-dried tomatoes? No worries. You can omit them or stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste for good flavor. For a lighter sauce, try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though it might not thicken quite as much. If you love a bit of heat, feel free to amp up the Rotel and red pepper flakes! Quantities for everything can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Gathering the right tools makes this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken a breeze!
- Slow Cooker: A 6-quart model is ideal, but any size works; just adjust cooking times if needed.
- Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping onions and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient additions.
- Forks: For shredding the chicken.
How to Make Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
Let’s dive into making this amazing Crockpot Tuscan Chicken! It truly is a simple process. You’ll have a delicious, creamy chicken dish with minimal effort. Follow these easy steps for a fantastic slow cooker meal.
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
First, place your chicken into the slow cooker. If your chicken has any excess fat, trim it away for a cleaner dish. Next, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, the chicken broth, and the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. If you’re using Rotel, add that now too. Give everything a good stir.
Step 2: Combine and Cook
Ensure all the ingredients are mixed well around the chicken. Place the lid securely on your slow cooker. Set it to cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours. Alternatively, you can cook it on high for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken should be very tender when it’s done. It will shred easily with two forks.
Step 3: Shred and Finish the Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Now, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Add the chopped fresh spinach. Cover the slow cooker again. Let it cook on high for another 15 to 20 minutes. This allows the spinach to wilt and the sauce to thicken beautifully.
Step 4: Taste and Serve
Before serving your Crockpot Tuscan Chicken, give it a taste. Adjust the salt and pepper if needed. This ensures the flavor is just right for your palate. Spoon the creamy, delicious chicken over your favorite pasta, fluffy rice, or serve with some crusty bread for dipping. Enjoy this wonderful meal!
How to Store Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
Leftover Crockpot Tuscan Chicken stores beautifully! Let it cool slightly, then transfer it into an airtight container. Pop it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers. It should keep well in the freezer for about 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Tips for Success
- Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness and flavor.
- Don’t skip the sun-dried tomatoes; they’re key to the Tuscan taste.
- Stir the cream and spinach in at the end to keep the sauce rich and greens vibrant.
- Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F for safety.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over pasta, rice, creamy polenta, or mashed potatoes.
- Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli.
- Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up that delicious sauce.
- A glass of white wine complements the rich flavors beautifully.
Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours
- Total Time: 3.25 – 8.25 hours
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A creamy and flavorful Crockpot Tuscan Chicken recipe perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel, undrained (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3–4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs or breasts in the slow cooker.
- Add chopped onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes (undrained), Rotel (if using), chicken broth, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker.
- Stir to combine all ingredients around the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is very tender and cooked through.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach. Cover and cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted and the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve hot over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, use the Rotel and increase the red pepper flakes.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, you can omit them or use a tablespoon of tomato paste for added flavor.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may not thicken as much.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
