Hearty Crockpot Tuscan Garlic Chicken Recipe

The Coziest Crockpot Tuscan Garlic Chicken Recipe for Your Table

Weeknight dinners take on a luxurious twist with this creamy crockpot tuscan garlic chicken recipe that promises pure comfort.

Rich, savory flavors meld together effortlessly in one simple slow cooker preparation.

Tender chicken breasts swim in a decadent sauce packed with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and robust herbs.

The combination of parmesan and herbs creates an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with warmth.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness in this restaurant-worthy meal that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each bite delivers a symphony of Mediterranean-inspired flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

This dish is your ticket to an easy, elegant dinner that requires nothing more than tossing ingredients into a crockpot and letting magic happen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4-5 hours (Low) / 2-3 hours (High)

Total Time: 4-5 hours

Calories: 680 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients List For CrockPot Tuscan Garlic Chicken

For Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breasts: Select plump, uniform-sized breasts for even cooking and tender results.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic depth to the dish, choose fresh cloves for maximum punch.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Adds tangy, concentrated sweetness and Mediterranean flair.
  • Italian Seasoning: Blends classic herbs for authentic Tuscan flavor profile.
  • Paprika: Introduces subtle warmth and beautiful reddish hue.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Delivers gentle heat and exciting spice kick.
For Creamy and Binding Elements:
  • Chicken Broth: Creates moisture and enhances overall savory foundation.
  • Heavy Cream: Transforms sauce into luxurious, silky texture.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Introduces salty, nutty complexity and helps thicken sauce.
  • Dijon Mustard: Provides sharp, tangy undertone and helps emulsify sauce.
  • Spinach: Adds nutritional boost and vibrant green color.
  • Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent for desired sauce consistency.
Additional Supporting Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Helps develop rich flavor during optional searing step.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and elevate dish.

CrockPot Tools For Tuscan Garlic Chicken

  • Crockpot: Essential for slow cooking the chicken with all ingredients.
  • Skillet: Optional for searing chicken before slow cooking to enhance flavor.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Needed for precise ingredient measurements.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.
  • Cutting board: Useful for preparing ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes and garlic.
  • Sharp knife: Required for chopping and preparing ingredients.

Steps To Make CrockPot Tuscan Garlic Chicken

  • Flavor Foundation

Grab your crockpot and prepare for a mouthwatering journey. Searing the chicken first will unlock incredible depths of flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

  • Slow Cooking Wonderland

Nestle chicken into the crockpot and shower it with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a symphony of seasonings. Let everything mingle and transform over several hours, creating a rich, aromatic landscape of deliciousness.

  • Creamy Transformation

Introduce heavy cream and Parmesan for a luxurious twist. Gently fold in fresh spinach, watching it soften and blend into the velvety sauce. The result? A meal that feels like a warm embrace from an Italian grandmother.

  • Texture Perfection

If you desire a more luscious sauce, simply stir in a cornstarch mixture. Watch as the sauce magically thickens and becomes even more irresistible.

  • Culinary Celebration

Serve this magnificent creation over your favorite base – pasta, rice, or creamy potatoes. Sprinkle extra Parmesan and fresh basil for a final flourish that turns dinner into a celebration.

Tips For CrockPot Tuscan Garlic Chicken

  • Chicken Prep Perfection: Searing the chicken before slow cooking creates a gorgeous golden exterior that locks in incredible flavor and helps prevent a bland, pale appearance. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels before searing to ensure maximum browning.
  • Texture Transformation: For ultra-tender chicken, opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Thighs contain more fat and connective tissue, guaranteeing a more succulent result that melts in your mouth. Consider cutting larger pieces into smaller chunks for faster, more even cooking.
  • Diet-Friendly Adaptations: Easily make this recipe low-carb by serving over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. Gluten-sensitive friends can use cornstarch as a thickener and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Flavor Boost Techniques: Elevate the dish by adding roasted red peppers for extra sweetness or incorporating fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. A splash of white wine during cooking can introduce depth and complexity to the sauce.

Serving CrockPot Tuscan Garlic Chicken Hot

  • Rustic Italian Pasta Pairing: Toss the creamy chicken over al dente linguine or fettuccine for a classic Italian-inspired meal that celebrates rich, bold flavors.
  • Hearty Grain Bowl Delight: Serve the tender chicken and sauce over quinoa or brown rice, creating a nutritious and satisfying one-bowl dinner that's packed with protein and texture.
  • Fresh Garden Side Salad: Complement the rich, creamy chicken with a crisp mixed green salad featuring arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's indulgent qualities.
  • Crusty Bread Dipping Dream: Pair with warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic ciabatta to soak up the delicious, herb-infused sauce, transforming every bite into a comfort food experience.

Storage Tips For CrockPot Tuscan Garlic Chicken

Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.

  • Freezer-Friendly Fix: Portion chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers, which can be stored for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Prepare chicken base ingredients in advance, storing prepped components in sealed bags in the refrigerator for quick assembly during busy weekdays. Chop vegetables and measure seasonings ahead of time to streamline cooking process.
  • Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated chicken slowly in a covered skillet with a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying. Stir occasionally and heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
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Hearty Crockpot Tuscan Garlic Chicken Recipe

Hearty Crockpot Tuscan Garlic Chicken Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 4-5 hours
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Hearty Crockpot Tuscan Garlic Chicken delivers Italian countryside comfort straight to dinner tables. Rich cream sauce and tender chicken create a simple yet elegant meal that home cooks will savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) or 6 chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 cups spinach, fresh
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Pat chicken dry and season comprehensively with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring uniform coating.
  2. Searing: Quickly brown chicken in hot skillet with olive oil to develop deep, caramelized flavor profile and enhance meat’s exterior.
  3. Slow Cooking Setup: Layer seared chicken in CrockPot, distributing minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth for moisture and infusion.
  4. Liquid Integration: Set CrockPot to LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, allowing chicken to become supremely tender and absorb surrounding aromatics.
  5. Sauce Development: During final cooking phase, introduce heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes, creating a luxuriously complex sauce.
  6. Final Touches: Fold fresh spinach into sauce, allowing leaves to delicately wilt; if desired, thicken with cornstarch slurry for richer consistency.
  7. Serving: Plate chicken and sauce over preferred base like pasta or rice, garnishing with additional Parmesan and freshly chopped basil for vibrant presentation.

Notes

  • Optimize Chicken Texture: Pat chicken completely dry before searing to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior and lock in moisture during slow cooking.
  • Searing Secret: Use high heat when browning chicken to develop deep, rich flavor compounds that enhance overall taste profile of the dish.
  • Sauce Consistency Hack: If sauce seems thin, create a quick cornstarch slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and cold water, then gently stirring into the liquid for instant thickening without lumps.
  • Dairy Sensitivity Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free version that maintains the creamy texture while accommodating lactose-intolerant dietary needs.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-5 hours (Low) / 2-3 hours (High)
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 680
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Fat: 46g
  • Saturated Fat: 24g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 56g
  • Cholesterol: 210mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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