Description
How to make creamy crockpot Tuscan chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach that transforms busy weeknights into restaurant-quality dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium
Creamy Sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pound to even thickness if needed. This ensures tender, evenly cooked chicken that shreds beautifully.
- Layer Ingredients: Place seasoned chicken in crockpot. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper around the chicken. Pour chicken broth over everything to create moisture.
- Add Tomatoes: Scatter chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning over the chicken. These will infuse the dish with authentic Tuscan flavors during the slow cooking process.
- Cook Low: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. Avoid lifting the lid frequently as this releases heat and extends cooking time.
- Shred Chicken: Remove chicken and shred with two forks. The meat should fall apart easily if properly cooked. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot with accumulated juices.
- Create Sauce: Stir in softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and Parmesan until smooth and creamy. Add spinach and let it wilt into the warm sauce for about 5 minutes.
- Final Touch: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh basil just before serving. The herbs will stay bright green and aromatic this way.
Notes
- Don’t lift the crockpot lid during cooking as this releases heat and extends cooking time.
- Store in refrigerator up to 4 days in airtight containers for easy meal prep.
- Frozen spinach can substitute for fresh but drain thoroughly to avoid watery sauce.
- Serve over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Add white wine with the broth for extra depth of flavor.
- Fresh herbs added at the end stay bright and aromatic.
Allergy Information: Dairy
Nutrition
- Calories: 385 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 38g