🍅🧀🌿 Easy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken features tender chicken that slow cooks in a creamy, Tuscan-inspired sauce featuring sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan! Slow cooking the chicken makes it melt-in-your-mouth wonderful and it’s all made in your Crockpot – no stovetop searing or transferring is necessary. Serve with pasta for a stress-free dinner that the whole family will love!
Easy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Recipe
- This is the easiest way to make chicken that tastes like you just went to Tuscany!
- When I say easy, we’re talking about adding everything to the slow cooker, turning it on, and coming back in 4 hours and your meal is served!
- There’s no searing in a skillet first, no sauce making or thickening in a separate skillet – this is a Crock-Pot meal from start to finish!
- This Tuscan chicken slow cooker recipe is made with common fridge and pantry staples which is is great since you probably have half the ingredients on hand already. Bonus that it’s naturally gluten-free, too.
- Best of all, this is such a great weeknight chicken dinner recipe, especially when the weather is chillier. Set it and forget it!
- If you’re interested in a Stovetop Tuscan Chicken recipe rather than slow cooker, I’ve got you covered. It’s ready in about 45 minutes rather than hours.
- If you’ve seen Marry Me Chicken all over the internet, this is very similar except that instead of basil, this recipe uses spinach – although you could use both. Adding red pepper flakes will also give Marry Me Chicken vibes.
Ingredients in Tuscan Crockpot Chicken Recipe
- Chicken: I use boneless skinless chicken breasts although you may substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Liquids: Heavy cream and chicken broth. Do not use milk or even half-and-half because they don’t have as much fat in them and fat is what will keep the cream from separating during the slow cooking process. In general, dairy doesn’t like to be heated for a long duration but the fat content in heavy cream is insurance against the cream separating or curdling.
- Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers: Salt, pepper, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, paprika or smoked paprika, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard. For a bit of heat, use red pepper flakes.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: I use oil-packed sundried tomatoes that I drain and blot with paper towels before dicing and adding to the slow cooker.
- Fresh spinach: In the final 10 minutes, add the spinach, just long enough so it wilts. You could use another green such as kale or Swiss chard if you happen to have some on hand. Basil is also great here!
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Creamy Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken
- To a large 6-quart or 7-quart slow cooker, add the chicken and season it with salt and pepper.
- To a small bowl, add the broth, cream, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic, grated Parmesan, and whisk to combine. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Evenly scatter the sun-dried tomatoes in the slow cooked and over and around the chicken.
- Slow cook on LOW for about 4 hours, or on HIGH for about 2-3 hours, or until chicken the interior of the chicken registers 165F measured by a digital thermometer.
- In the last 10 minutes, stir the sauce together, add the spinach and stir, allow it to wilt for about 10 minutes before serving this Italian dish! If you want it a bit spicier, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes. If you have fresh basil on hand, it’s a great garnish.
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for step-by-step photos and process shots of the cooking process.
what to serve with slow cooker creamy tuscan chicken
Plain pasta or buttered pasta is great, or rice, veggies like broccoli, carrots, or green beans, or your favorite simple side dish.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
🍅🧀🌿 Features tender chicken that slow cooks in a creamy, Tuscan-inspired sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese! Slow cooking the chicken makes it melt-in-your-mouth wonderful and it's all made in your Crockpot – no stovetop searing or transferring is necessary. Serve with pasta for a stress-free dinner that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1/2-pound each; or about 2 pounds chicken in total
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- ¾ cup heavy cream, do not substitute; the fat in heavy cream is necessary to prevent curdling or separating of the sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth, regular or reduced sodium; if using reduced sodium you’ll likely want to add more salt
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, regular paprika may be substituted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and blotted (dice them if necessary because they’re on the bigger side)
- 1 ½ cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Evenly scatter the sun dried tomatoes over and around the chicken.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Notes
Storage: Anything with a cream sauce is always best when freshly made and consumed. However, leftovers will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave as desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 383cal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 134mg, Sodium: 1113mg, Potassium: 804mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 2169IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 183mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Easy prep, easy cook, easy cleanup and easily one of the best crockpot meals I’ve ever made. It was delicious! Added some red pepper flakes as suggested for a little heat and it was perfecto! Went with pasta tonight but as someone else recommended I’ll try with mashed potatoes next time.
Thanks for the five star review Matt and I’m so glad to hear that. This is easily one of the best crockpot meals you’ve ever made! That pretty much says it all! I love that you added a bit of red pepper flakes and it was perfecto!
Mashed potatoes are great with this otherwise pasta is always simple and works!
My family LOVES this recipe (especially over noodles or rice) and it is so easy to make. I was even able to prep it the day before and have it turn out good.
Thanks for the 5 star review, Melinda, and it’s so great that your family loves this recipe and that it’s so easy to make! And that you were even able to prep it the day before!
I’ve made this recipe numerous times. It is so easy and so good. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Thanks for the 5 star review Debbie and I’m so pleased to hear that you’ve made this numerous times and that it’s so easy AND so good!
Delicious, especially next day! I shredded in sauce before serving over chicken flavored rice! Be sure to cut tomatoes up quite small!
Thanks for the 5 star review Patty and I’m so glad that this was great, especially the next day! Anything with a red, tomato-based sauce tends to be that way in my experience.
I’ve made this several times. It’s the easiest recipe. So delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Thanks Debbie for the 5 star review and so glad this is easy and delicious for you when you’ve made it!
Can this be made without the sundried tomatoes? Although I like their flavor, have never been able to chew them.
Yes, you can simply omit them.
I love this recipe,very very tasty and so easy to make,I add a bit of hot sauce because I like a bit of spice but the creamy flavour is wonderful with or without it
Thanks for the 5 star review and for letting me know this was a winner and I love the hot sauce idea because I crave a bit of spice too!
My family loved this recipe from the first time I made it. So much so that they asked me to make two days in a row.! Has anyone doubled the recipe?
You could double the recipe provided that you have a large, slow cooker, larger than the typical because you don’t want to overcrowd it and that is my worry with doubling the recipe in a slow cooker that’s on the smaller size. I think you could get away with using 3 lbs of chicken rather than 2, and then 1.5x the other ingredients too. And yes, you will have to add extra time, how much, it’s hard to say, maybe another 30 to 60 minutes, depending on what heat level you’re cooking at. Let me know how it goes!
Made this last night…doubled everything but the chicken, as I had 4 lg. chicken breasts (3lbs) and wanted to make sure I had enough sauce! I used an entire 10oz. bag of fresh spinach…served over rice…hubby hates spinach…not in this!! Also made some Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits. This was a total hit!! Cooked on low for 4.5 hours…perfect!! Thanks Averie…this is a keeper, for sure😉
Thanks for the 5 star review, Barb, and so glad to hear that this was a keeper for you and that your doubling “math” worked out great! And that your hubby ate spinach because of this recipe! The biscuits sound like the perfect touch!
this recipe was amazing. used fire roasted can tomatoes since I didn’t have the other…it was so good family loved it. Will have to double it next time. BTw…great with mashed potatoes and veggies.
Thanks for letting me know this was a big success and turned out and amazing! I love the sound of fire roasted tomatoes here because I like a little bit of kick. Glad you were able to serve it with some mashed potatoes and veggies.
Hello!
can I prepare everything the night before and then cook the next day?
Thanks for your reply!!
I haven’t tried it and because of the cornstarch in the liquid mixture I am slightly hesitant however without a heat source it will be fine more than likely. If you want to mix that up and keep it covered in the fridge the night before and then add that to the chicken in the slow cooker the next day, probably fine. Although this is such a quick recipe to prep, not really sure it’s even necessary!
Can this be made with frozen chicken breasts
You will need to thaw them first and then yes you can.
Today will be my 3rd or 4th time making this. We love it in my house!! Thank you!
Thank you Amber for the glowing review and so glad you’ve made this many times and it’s a favorite in your house!
Delicious and so easy. Even better the next day for lunch!!
Thanks for the 5 star review Theresa and so glad to hear this was delicious, easy, and even better the next day!
This slow cooker Tuscan Chicken was absolutely delicious. I added slightly more of the sun-dried tomatoes and they give it a definite zing.
I intend to make it for my children when I visit them at Easter and I know they will love it.
Thanks for the 5 star review Karen and I’m so glad to hear this was wonderful and that you’re going to make it for Easter when your children visit – that’s the highest honor! A recipe that is worthy of serving to adult children when they come to visit 🙏🏻
Anyone add mushrooms?
I haven’t but you can try and I’m sure they’d give great flavor.
I would add them with about an hour or so of cooking time left because you don’t want them to get overly shriveled up which I think is what they would do if you added them from the beginning.