Creamy Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe Easy Homemade Spinach Artichoke Dinner
A comforting and creamy slow cooker Tuscan chicken with spinach and artichoke hearts, featuring a rich sauce made with cream, parmesan, and lemon juice. Perfect for easy, stress-free dinners with bold, indulgent flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups fresh spinach (loosely packed)
- 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Optionally sear in olive oil over medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- Place the seasoned (and seared if done) chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a bowl, combine heavy cream, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and lemon juice. Stir well.
- Scatter artichoke hearts and fresh spinach over and around the chicken in the crockpot.
- Pour the creamy sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables without stirring.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken reaches 165°F and is tender.
- About 15 minutes before serving, gently stir to mix spinach and artichokes into the sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve warm over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds extra flavor but can be skipped to save time. Add lemon juice to cut through the richness. Stir sauce only near the end to keep chicken pieces intact. To thicken sauce, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir in 15 minutes before end of cooking. Can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce or use coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version. Spinach can be swapped with kale or swiss chard.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 40
Keywords: Tuscan chicken, crockpot chicken, creamy chicken, spinach artichoke chicken, slow cooker dinner, easy chicken recipe, comfort food