Creamy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken breasts in a creamy, garlicky Tuscan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams)
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed recommended)
- 3 cups packed fresh spinach
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml), low sodium preferred
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 ml)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (113 grams)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary mix)
- Salt and pepper to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning chicken, optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken breasts 2-3 minutes per side until golden but not cooked through. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach on top of the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Pour chicken broth evenly over the ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- About 30 minutes before serving, remove chicken breasts and set aside.
- Stir softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, and heavy cream into the slow cooker until smooth and creamy.
- Return chicken to the sauce and warm through.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream.
- Serve chicken topped with creamy Tuscan sauce, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs.
Notes
Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds richer flavor and better color but is optional. Use softened cream cheese at room temperature to avoid lumps. Cook on low for best texture. Adjust salt carefully due to salty ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut milk and plant-based cream cheese. Serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 400450
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 58
- Fiber: 23
- Protein: 3540
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, Tuscan chicken, creamy chicken recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, slow cooker recipe, Italian chicken