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Creamy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

Tender chicken breasts or thighs slow cooked in a rich Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach for an easy dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach

Equipment

  • Slow cooker (4-6 quart)
  • mixing bowls
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Place chicken pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer. Pat dry with paper towels if needed.
  2. In a small bowl, mix Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken, rubbing it in to help it adhere.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
  4. Scatter chopped sun-dried tomatoes over and around the chicken pieces. Pour the cream mixture evenly over everything.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  6. About 10-15 minutes before serving, stir in the fresh baby spinach. Replace lid and cook until spinach is wilted and sauce is bubbly.
  7. Give everything a final gentle stir to distribute the spinach and ensure the sauce is cohesive. Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes with plenty of sauce.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Sauce will thicken when refrigerated. Reheating: Add a splash of milk, cream, or broth when reheating to restore creamy consistency. Reheat gently on stovetop or in microwave on medium power. Substitutions: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for lighter sauce. Add mushrooms or artichoke hearts for extra vegetables. Chicken thighs stay more moist than breasts if cooking time runs long. Pro Tips: For deeper flavor, sear chicken in sun-dried tomato oil before adding to slow cooker. Check chicken breasts at minimum cooking time to prevent overcooking. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on HIGH for final 30 minutes. Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded.