Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon paprika; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; ½ cup chicken broth; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 4 cloves garlic, minced; ½ cup sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped; ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated; 1 cup baby spinach, chopped

There’s something incredibly comforting about a dish that just melds all those rich flavors together slowly throughout the day—enter the Creamy Tuscan Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipe. It delivers tender chicken bathed in a luscious sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and spinach, all with minimal effort. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a go-to for busy nights or when you want to impress without stress.

On a white plate with ridged edges, there is a bed of yellow spaghetti noodles loosely piled. On top, a thick piece of meat covered in a creamy pale beige sauce with small bits of herbs and red dried tomato pieces is placed. Sprinkled over the sauce are green chopped herbs and white grated cheese, adding texture and a pop of color. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a bowl of grated cheese blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tuscan Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this recipe countless times, and it never disappoints. It’s a real celebration of simple ingredients coming together with zero hassle but maximum flavor—exactly what we need on busy days.

Effortless Slow Cooking: You toss everything in the slow cooker, and it does all the work, letting you focus on your day.
Rich, Creamy Sauce: The blend of heavy cream, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a sauce that’s indulgent but balanced.
Protein-Packed & Low-Carb: It’s satisfying and fits great into many eating styles without all the carbs.
Versatile Serving Options: Whether over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, it always feels like a special meal.

The image shows a white wavy-edged plate holding three layers of light brown chicken pieces covered in a creamy sauce. The sauce is light beige with red bits of sun-dried tomatoes and scattered green spinach leaves. The sauce covers the chicken evenly, with some sauce pooling around the bottom edges of the chicken. Around the plate, on a white marbled surface, there is a small wooden bowl filled with grated cheese and a small white bowl with chopped herbs. A white and purple striped cloth is placed nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this dish is really in its ingredients—they come together to create a harmonious profile that’s savory, creamy, and just a bit tangy. Plus, most items are pantry staples or easy finds at any grocery store.

Flat lay of four large boneless skinless chicken breasts, a small white bowl of Italian seasoning, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, a small white bowl of onion powder, a small white bowl of paprika, a small white bowl of red pepper flakes, a small white bowl of heavy whipping cream, a small white bowl of chicken broth, a small white bowl of cornstarch, four whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white bowl of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, a small white bowl of grated parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of chopped baby spinach all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: They cook beautifully in the slow cooker, absorbing flavors while staying juicy.
Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds that classic Tuscan flair effortlessly.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning to enhance all other ingredients.
Onion Powder & Paprika: Adds subtle depth and warmth to the flavor base.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a hint of heat to balance out the creamy richness.
Heavy Whipping Cream: This is the cornerstone of your silky, luscious sauce.
Chicken Broth: Keeps the sauce from being too thick and adds that savory backbone.
Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce gently so it clings perfectly to the chicken.
Garlic: Fresh and minced, it delivers essential aromatic flavor.
Sun-dried Tomatoes: These bring sweetness, tang, and umami, lifting the sauce to the next level.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds the sharp, nutty, salty notes that make this truly Italian-inspired.
Baby Spinach: Stirred in at the end for freshness and color—plus some sneaky greens!

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this recipe is how you can tweak it easily to suit your mood or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Variation: I sometimes swap baby spinach for kale or add a splash of white wine to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor—makes it feel a little fancy without any extra work.
Dairy-Free: Try coconut milk instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast for the parmesan to make this dairy-free and still creamy.
Spice it Up: If you prefer more heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne.
Protein Swap: Chicken thighs work beautifully too if you want a juicier option.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Slow Cooker and Chicken

I always start by spraying my slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray—this little step saves so much cleanup later. Then, I place the chicken breasts in the pot, spreading them out evenly to ensure even cooking. This is important because thick pieces on top can end up undercooked, and nobody wants that.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Creamy Tuscan Sauce

In a small bowl, I mix the heavy cream, chicken broth, cornstarch, minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes. The cornstarch is key because it thickens the sauce as it cooks—so don’t skip it! I blend it until smooth so that the sauce coats every bite of chicken perfectly.

Step 3: Slow Cook and Finish with Spinach

Pour the sauce over the chicken, then cover with the lid. You can cook on high for about 3 hours or low for 5 hours—whichever fits your schedule. I always check the chicken’s internal temperature with a probe thermometer to hit a safe 165°F. When it’s done, I stir in the chopped spinach and let it wilt for 10 minutes right in the cooker—this adds a burst of color and freshness without losing that creamy texture.

Top Tip

From my experience, the slow cooker is your best friend here but only if you avoid some common pitfalls. These tips helped me nail it every time, so I’m sharing to save you the guesswork.

Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: It thickens the sauce beautifully—otherwise, you’ll end up with a runny mess.
Check Chicken Thickness: Thick breasts need more time—if yours are on the large side, plan accordingly or butterfly them.
Fresh Garlic is Key: Minced fresh garlic beats jarred in flavor every time, making the sauce more vibrant.
Wilt Spinach Last: Adding it at the very end avoids overcooking, keeping that bright green color and a hint of texture.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top and extra parmesan cheese to brighten the plate. A few cracked black peppercorns finish it off just right and add a little bite with every forkful.

Side Dishes

This creamy Tuscan chicken pairs beautifully with garlic mashed potatoes, buttery pasta, or even cauliflower rice if you’re watching carbs. Roasted vegetables on the side add texture, but honestly, the sauce is so rich, you might find you want it solo!

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I love plating the chicken on a bed of saffron rice and garnishing with edible flowers or toasted pine nuts for some crunch. It feels extra elegant but still approachable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep beautifully for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen, making the next day just as delicious—if not more so.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well too. I let it cool completely, then portion it out before freezing. When thawed, the sauce sometimes thickens further, so just loosen it up with a splash of chicken broth when reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. This keeps the sauce creamy and prevents the chicken from drying out like a microwave might.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will yield a juicier, more flavorful result. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if needed to ensure they’re cooked through.

Is this recipe low-carb friendly?

Yes, it’s naturally low-carb, especially if you serve it with low-carb sides like cauliflower rice or steamed veggies. The creamy sauce and chicken only have about 9 grams of carbs per serving.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

You can! Use the sauté function first to brown the garlic and mix the sauce, then pressure cook the chicken with the sauce for about 10 minutes, followed by a quick release. Stir in spinach last off heat.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The best way is to use a meat thermometer and check for an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have one, cut open the thickest part—it should be no longer pink and the juices should run clear.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate, bringing together the comforting magic of creamy, garlicky sauce with wholesome chicken and fresh spinach. I keep coming back to it because it’s fuss-free, flexible, and delicious every single time. I promise, once you make this, it’ll become one of your “must-have” recipes to rely on when you want dinner done, loved, and savored.