Rich, creamy, and bursting with sun-dried tomato flavor, Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is the kind of dreamy dinner that tastes like a cozy Italian trattoria—but it’s all done with the magic of your slow cooker! Juicy chicken breasts soak up a luscious Parmesan and spinach cream sauce, while fragrant Italian spices bring every bite to life.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-Worthy Flavor: Enjoy decadent, Tuscan-inspired flavors with practically zero fuss or fancy skills needed.
- Set-It-and-Forget-It: Just a few minutes of prep and the crockpot takes care of all the hard work while you go on with your day.
- Family-Friendly & Versatile: Even picky eaters love the creamy sauce, and you can pair it with everything from pasta to cauliflower rice.
- Easy to Customize: Swap proteins, veggies, or make it lighter—Crockpot Tuscan Chicken flexes to fit your needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
We’re keeping it simple, but every single ingredient in Crockpot Tuscan Chicken plays a starring role. These essentials create that signature creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato magic the dish is known for. Here’s how each one makes the recipe shine:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The base of the dish—these soak up all the rich flavors and become incredibly juicy in the crockpot.
- Salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper: This standout spice mix awakens the chicken and delivers classic Mediterranean warmth.
- Heavy cream: Brings the luxurious, velvety texture to the sauce—absolutely key for that indulgent finish.
- Corn starch: A little goes a long way to thicken the sauce for luscious coating power.
- Minced garlic: Undoubtedly the heart of Tuscan cooking for big, aromatic flavor in every bite.
- Sundried tomatoes: Chewy and tangy, they infuse the sauce with a gorgeous color and next-level savory depth.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese: Creamy, nutty, and so delicious melted into the sauce—you don’t want to skip this!
- Fresh spinach: Wilts right into the sauce, adding freshness, a pop of green, and even more nutrition.
Variations
One of the reasons I always come back to Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is how customizable it is. Don’t be afraid to riff on the original! Here are some favorite twists that keep weeknight dinner exciting and suit your pantry and preferences:
- Chicken Thighs Swap: Love dark meat? Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, richer result.
- Lighter Cream Sauce: Use half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter sauce—just increase the corn starch slightly if you want it thick and silky.
- Roasted Red Peppers: Out of sun-dried tomatoes? Try chopped roasted red peppers for a subtle sweetness and beautiful color.
- Leafy Greens Variety: No spinach? Kale or Swiss chard is a delicious, hearty substitute that stands up well in the slow cooker.
How to Make Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Lay your chicken breasts snugly in the bottom of your slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper—then sprinkle evenly all over the chicken, coating both sides for big flavor payoff.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, minced garlic, corn starch, salt, and black pepper until smooth and luscious. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese. Pour this creamy goodness all over and around the chicken in the crockpot.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover with the lid and set your crockpot to low. Let the chicken cook gently for about 3 hours, until it’s cooked through and deliciously tender (165°F internal temperature if you want to double-check!). The sauce might look separated during cooking, but don’t worry—just give it a quick stir before serving and it turns perfectly creamy again.
Step 4: Finish with Spinach
Right at the end, stir in the fresh spinach. It will wilt almost instantly into the warm sauce, adding a burst of color and freshness that really brings the whole Crockpot Tuscan Chicken together.
Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Boneless breasts can dry out, so check after 2.5-3 hours; the slow cooker keeps them succulent even if you check a few times.
- Sauce Rescue: If you notice the sauce has separated during cooking, simply give it a good stir after opening the lid—no need to worry about curdling, it comes right back together!
- Boost the Umami: For even more savory depth, add a sprinkle of extra Parmesan on the chicken before serving or stir in a touch of chopped basil.
- Spinach Timing: Stir in the spinach at the very end, just before serving, so it keeps its vibrant green color and doesn’t get mushy.
How to Serve Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
Garnishes
For a truly restaurant-worthy presentation, finish Crockpot Tuscan Chicken with a generous sprinkle of extra Parmesan, a scattering of fresh basil leaves, and a few finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. A drizzle of good olive oil or even a touch of cracked black pepper right before serving elevates it to showstopper status!
Side Dishes
There’s nothing like twirling this creamy chicken and sauce over a bed of fettuccine, linguine, or your favorite pasta, but it’s equally delicious with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, rice, or even spooned over steamed cauliflower for a cozy, lower-carb twist.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow guests, serve Crockpot Tuscan Chicken family-style in a big, shallow bowl with the sauce draped over everything. Or, for date night, plate a chicken breast individually with a swirl of sauce, a nest of pasta, and a few vibrant spinach leaves tucked on the side—total Italian countryside vibes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crockpot Tuscan Chicken keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Store it in an airtight container, and the flavors somehow get richer and more delicious as they mingle.
Freezing
If you want to make a double batch, this dish is freezer-friendly for up to 2–3 months. Simply portion into freezer-safe containers, let cool completely, and freeze. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To give Crockpot Tuscan Chicken its silky-smooth sauce back, reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. If using the microwave, pause and stir every minute so the cream sauce stays velvety and the chicken doesn’t dry out.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
For food safety, always thaw chicken completely before adding to the crockpot—the low-and-slow heat isn’t strong enough to bring frozen chicken to a safe temperature quickly. Do a speedy thaw by submerging sealed chicken in cool water, changing the water every 20 minutes.
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Is it okay to use light cream or milk instead of heavy cream?
Absolutely! You can use light cream or even half-and-half to reduce the richness. Just increase the corn starch to help thicken the sauce, as lighter creams won’t yield the same thick texture as heavy cream.
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What’s the best way to know when the chicken is done?
Start checking the chicken after 2.5–3 hours; it should be cooked through to 165°F at the thickest part. Slow cookers can vary, so using a digital thermometer takes out all the guesswork for that perfect, juicy result!
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Can I double this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken recipe?
You sure can—just make sure the chicken pieces are in an even layer and not stacked too high. The cooking time may be slightly longer; always check each piece for doneness before serving.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something restaurant-worthy but easy enough for any night of the week, Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is a total winner. It’s creamy, savory, and unfussy—just pure comfort, whether you’re feeding family or impressing guests. Don’t forget to come back and share your twist on this irresistibly cozy classic!
PrintCrockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Slow Cooking
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is a creamy and flavorful dish made with tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy and delicious meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5-2 lbs)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a 2.5-4 quart slow cooker. Combine salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over chicken.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream, garlic, corn starch, salt, and pepper. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or until chicken reaches 165°F internally. Stir in fresh spinach.
- Serve: Remove chicken from the crockpot and serve with pasta or as desired.
Notes
- Serving size will vary depending on the weight of the chicken breasts used.
- Some sauce was removed from the slow cooker for detail.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 260 grams
- Calories: 393 cal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 712 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 159 mg