Name: Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 h 10 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 6 cloves garlic (minced); 1 cup heavy cream; 1/3 cup reduced sodium chicken broth; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp sea salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped); 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped, packed)

This Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken is a dreamy combination of tender chicken, creamy garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach that practically cooks itself! The slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal while you go about your day. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this Italian-inspired dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something absolutely delicious without the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Elegance: Just 10 minutes of prep, then your slow cooker does all the work while you tackle your day.
Rich Flavor Profile: The combination of garlic, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a symphony of flavors that tastes like it took hours to develop.
Family Friendly: Even picky eaters tend to love this creamy, savory dish – it’s comfort food with a touch of sophistication.
Versatile Serving Options: Works beautifully over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Olive oil: Used to sauté the garlic, building the foundation of flavor for our sauce.
Garlic: Don’t skimp here! Fresh minced garlic creates that unmistakable aromatic base that makes this dish special.
Heavy cream: The star ingredient for creating that luscious, velvety sauce that coats the chicken.
Chicken broth: Adds depth to the sauce while keeping it from becoming too rich.
Parmesan cheese: Brings a nutty, salty flavor that thickens the sauce and adds complexity.
Chicken breasts: The protein canvas for our Tuscan masterpiece – they’ll become incredibly tender after slow cooking.
Italian seasoning: A convenient blend of herbs that infuses the chicken with classic Italian flavors.
Salt and pepper: Simple but essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the dish.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These concentrated flavor bombs add a sweet-tart punch and beautiful color contrast.
Fresh spinach: Adds a pop of color, nutrition, and slight earthy flavor that balances the richness of the sauce.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to customize this Tuscan chicken to make it your own? Try these delicious twists:

Protein Swap: Use boneless chicken thighs for even juicier meat, or try it with pork tenderloin for something different.
Extra Veggies: Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or artichoke hearts for more vegetable goodness.
Spice It Up: Include red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a bit of heat.
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.

How to Make Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken

Step 1: Create the Sauce Base

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until it becomes beautifully fragrant but not browned. This quick step builds incredible flavor for the sauce.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. It should coat the back of a spoon when ready.

Step 3: Set Up the Slow Cooker

While the sauce simmers, place chicken breasts in the bottom of your Crock Pot. Season them with Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Distribute the chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce

Reduce the heat to low under your sauce pan. Gradually whisk in the parmesan cheese, adding a quarter cup at a time and ensuring it melts completely before adding more. This prevents clumping and creates a smooth sauce. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

Step 5: Combine and Cook

Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker, focusing on covering the chicken rather than letting it all run to the bottom. Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low.

Step 6: Add the Spinach

Once cooking time is complete, remove the chicken and set aside temporarily. Turn the slow cooker to High setting if it isn’t already, add the chopped spinach and stir for a few minutes until it wilts into the sauce.

Step 7: Serve

Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes over the top. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Sauce Thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir it into the sauce after cooking.
Chicken Size: Try to select chicken breasts of similar size for even cooking. If yours are particularly large, consider cutting them in half horizontally.
Sun-dried Tomato Choice: Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes have more flavor than dry-packed ones. If using dry-packed, consider rehydrating them in warm water first.
Cheese Quality: Freshly grated parmesan melts much better than pre-grated varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.

How to Serve

This Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving options:

Perfect Pairings:

Serve over pasta (fettuccine or penne work beautifully)
Spoon over creamy mashed potatoes or polenta
Pair with steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a lighter option
Add a side of roasted asparagus or broccoli for a complete meal

Bread Options:

Don’t forget some crusty Italian bread or garlic bread for soaking up that incredible sauce!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store this Tuscan chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making this dish excellent for leftovers.

Make Ahead Options

Prepare the sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. You can also assemble everything in the slow cooker insert the night before, refrigerate overnight, and start cooking in the morning.

Freezing

While cream sauces can sometimes separate when frozen, this dish freezes surprisingly well. Cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. The texture may change slightly but will still be delicious.

Reheating

Microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. For larger amounts, reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or place back in the slow cooker on the Warm setting for 30-45 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s not recommended to use frozen chicken in slow cooker recipes for food safety reasons. The chicken might spend too long in the “danger zone” temperature range where bacteria can multiply. Always thaw your chicken completely before adding it to the slow cooker.

My sauce seems too thin, what can I do?
This is common with slow cooker recipes as the chicken releases liquid during cooking. For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken once cooked, then whisk 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with equal parts cold water and stir into the sauce. Turn the slow cooker to High and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes until thickened.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream and nutritional yeast or dairy-free parmesan alternative for the cheese. The flavor profile will change slightly but still be delicious.

Is it possible to cook this on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Season and sear the chicken in a large skillet, then remove it temporarily. Make the sauce in the same pan, return the chicken, cover and simmer on low for about 20-25 minutes until the chicken reaches 165°F internally. Add the spinach during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.

This Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken transforms ordinary chicken breasts into a meal that feels like a special occasion, yet requires minimal effort. The creamy, herb-infused sauce with pops of sun-dried tomato and wilted spinach creates a dish that’s both comforting and sophisticated. Whether you’re serving family on a weeknight or entertaining guests on the weekend, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results straight from your slow cooker. Give this Tuscan-inspired delight a try next time you’re craving something special without the fuss!

Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe