Description
A hands-off, healthy, and flavorful slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights and family-friendly meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (about 75g)
- 3 cups fresh spinach (about 90g)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (240ml)
- ½ cup heavy cream (120ml)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and mince the garlic cloves. Rinse and dry the spinach. Measure out the broth, cream, and seasonings.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the chicken.
- Add the sautéed garlic and oil on top of the chicken, then scatter the sun-dried tomatoes over everything.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- About 10 minutes before serving, stir in fresh spinach, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan. Cover and cook on high for the last 10 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens slightly.
- Use two forks to shred the chicken in the crockpot, then stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve over rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, or creamy polenta. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Sautéing garlic before adding to the crockpot enhances flavor. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best sauce texture. Add spinach near the end to keep it bright and fresh. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for 10 more minutes to reduce. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of broth or cream to maintain creaminess. This dish does not freeze well due to cream sauce separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6th
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Protein: 35
Keywords: crockpot, Tuscan chicken, slow cooker, healthy dinner, easy recipe, creamy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, family-friendly