Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken (Printable Version)
Tender chicken in a rich parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained and chopped
05 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach
→ Dairy
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Liquids
09 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herbs, pressing the seasoning into the meat to adhere.
02 - Spread chopped onion, minced garlic, and drained sun-dried tomatoes evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
03 - Arrange seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer over the vegetable mixture, ensuring pieces do not overlap for even cooking.
04 - Pour chicken broth and heavy cream evenly over the chicken and vegetables. Distribute butter pieces across the top.
05 - Cover with lid and cook on low setting for 4 hours or high setting for 2 hours, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and is fork-tender.
06 - Remove cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Stir grated parmesan cheese into the sauce until melted and smooth, then add baby spinach and stir until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
07 - Return chicken to the slow cooker, spooning the creamy spinach sauce over each piece. Cook covered for 5-10 minutes longer to heat through. Serve hot, garnished with additional parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce creates itself while you go about your day, leaving you with barely any cleanup.
- That combination of sun-dried tomatoes and cream hits exactly the right balance between bright and indulgent.
- Leftovers somehow taste even better the next night, if you manage to have any.
02 -
- Heavy cream can sometimes separate in slow cookers, but stirring in the parmesan at the end usually brings it back together beautifully.
- Don't skip searing the chicken first if you have 10 extra minutes, that caramelized exterior adds incredible depth to the final dish.
- The sauce thickens as it cools, so don't worry if it looks thinner than you'd expect right after cooking.
03 -
- If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, pound them to even thickness before cooking so everything finishes at the same time.
- Set up your slow cooker on a baking sheet if you're concerned about condensation dripping onto your counter during long cooking times.