Creamy Tuscan Chicken Crockpot Wonder
Table of Contents
- Recipe Introduction: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Crockpot Wonder
- Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Chicken Crockpot Meals
- Prep Steps: Get Your Act Together!
- Step-by-Step: The Easy Peasy Process
- Pro Tips: Secret Sauce to Success!
- Recipe Notes for Your Creamy Tuscan Chicken Crockpot
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 📝 Recipe Card
Recipe Introduction: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Crockpot Wonder
Fancy a super easy dinner? What about creamy, dreamy Italian flavours without all the fuss? These chicken crockpot meals will make your weeknights a breeze. This Creamy Tuscan Chicken is proper tasty.
Quick Hook: Italian Comfort Food, Made Easy
Tired of complicated recipes? This Tuscan chicken recipe delivers a flavour explosion. This dish combines the best of Italian comfort food with the hands off convenience of a slow cooker.
It's the ultimate easy crockpot dinner .
Brief Overview: From Italy to Your Crockpot
This recipe takes inspiration from classic Tuscan flavours. Think sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic. It's an easy recipe. The prep takes about 15 minutes.
The slow cooker does the rest, cooking for 6- 8 hours on low, or 3- 4 hours on high. It makes around 6 servings.
Main Benefits: Healthy, Easy, Delicious
Chicken thighs are packed with protein. This creamy chicken crockpot is a winner for family dinners. Honestly? The best part is how simple it is.
These dump and go chicken crockpot recipes are the perfect way to enjoy Italian chicken recipes even on busy weeknights.
It's also easy to adapt to be a gluten-free crockpot recipes option, just serve it over rice or polenta.
Ready to get cooking? Let's dive into the ingredients for these awesome slow cooker chicken recipes .
Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Chicken Crockpot Meals
Ready to make some seriously delicious chicken crockpot meals ? Let's gather everything you need. These slow cooker chicken recipes are real winners. This Tuscan chicken recipe is a game changer!
Main Players in Our Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Alright, grab your stuff. We're making this creamy chicken crockpot ! It all starts with the right ingredients. This recipe calls for 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs .
That's about 2 lbs (900g) . Quality matters with chicken, so look for thighs that are plump and have a good color.
Next, you'll need 1 teaspoon (5g) salt and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) black pepper . Seasoning is key. We need 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil .
Plus, 2 cloves (about 2 teaspoons/10g) minced garlic .
Get ready for flavor! We're adding 1/2 cup (about 75g) sun-dried tomatoes , drained from their oil. Also, 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth and 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream .
Don't forget 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese and 5 ounces (about 140g) fresh spinach , roughly chopped. Finally, 1 teaspoon (5g) Italian seasoning .
Level Up with Flavor
This ain't your grandma's boiled chicken. We're talking flavor city! Italian seasoning is a must. It blends oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
Garlic is essential. Sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of tangy sweetness. Want a kick? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes! No sun-dried tomatoes? Roasted red peppers work great!
Essential Equipment
You need a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker . That’s it. If you don’t have measuring cups and spoons, get them, lol.
A cutting board and knife are also needed. Don't have a slow cooker? Honestly, get one. Easy crockpot dinners will change your life!
Enjoy these delicious and easy crockpot dinners as much as I do. I've made these weeknight chicken recipes so many times.
Even my picky eaters love these crockpot recipes for family . They are perfect comfort food recipes , and some can be made into gluten-free crockpot recipes .
They work for all types of palates.
Bon appétit, friends!
Alright, let's dive into making some amazing chicken crockpot meals ! This Creamy Tuscan Chicken is about to become your new fave.
I mean, seriously, easy crockpot dinners that taste this good? Yes, please!
Prep Steps: Get Your Act Together!
First things first, mise en place , darling. Get all your ingredients ready. Chop the spinach, mince that garlic. And drain those sun-dried tomatoes.
Honestly, it makes life so much easier. This Tuscan chicken recipe is already simple, let's keep it that way. Safety first! Remember to wash your hands before starting.
No one wants questionable germs in their dinner.
Time Saver Alert!
Don't have time to chop spinach on a busy weeknight? Buy the pre-washed stuff. Honestly, it's a lifesaver. You can also measure out all the spices in advance.
It's a small thing, but it saves time later.
step-by-step: The Easy Peasy Process
This slow cooker chicken recipe is so simple, even I can't mess it up.
- Season your 6 chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper .
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan. Sear the chicken 3- 4 minutes on each side. This is optional, but trust me , it adds flavour!
- Pop the chicken into your crockpot.
- Chuck in 2 minced garlic cloves , ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes , ½ cup chicken broth , ½ cup heavy cream , ¼ cup Parmesan cheese , 5 oz spinach , and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning .
- Cook on low for 6- 8 hours or high for 3- 4 hours . Make sure the chicken reaches 165° F ( 74° C) .
Serve it up! I love this with pasta.
Pro Tips: Secret Sauce to Success!
Wanna really nail this creamy chicken crockpot recipe? Sear the chicken. I can't stress this enough! Browning equals flavor! Don't overcook the chicken.
It will dry out and no one wants that. Adjust the salt at the end. The sun-dried tomatoes can be salty.
For a dairy-free take, try coconut cream. It changes the flavor a bit, but it's still delish. This creamy Tuscan chicken pasta works well as a gluten-free crockpot recipe .
Serve with zucchini noodles!
Oh, and this is brilliant for meal prep. Make a big batch on Sunday. Then you've got lunches sorted for the week. Enjoy these crockpot recipes for family
Honestly, this slow cooker Italian chicken is a total game changer for weeknight chicken recipes . Give it a go.
Recipe Notes for Your Creamy Tuscan Chicken Crockpot
Alright, so you're about to dive into making this amazing creamy chicken crockpot ! Before you start, let's chat about a few things to make sure it's absolutely perfect.
Honestly, these are just little tips I've learned over time making chicken crockpot meals . Trust me, they make a difference!
Plating Like a Pro
Presentation matters, you know? For this Tuscan chicken recipe , I love serving it family style in a big bowl. Think rustic! A sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra Parmesan? Yes, please! And honestly, even a simple plate looks fancy with this creamy sauce drizzled over it.
Serving it over pasta? Twirl that pasta onto the plate first. It looks chef-y! For sides, a simple green salad balances out the richness perfectly.
A glass of crisp white wine is also amazing.
Storage Secrets
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This chicken crockpot meals is even better the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
It'll keep for 3-4 days . If you wanna freeze it, that works too! Pop it in a freezer safe container and it'll be good for up to 3 months .
Reheating is a breeze. Microwave it, or gently warm it up in a saucepan on the stove. If it seems a bit thick after freezing, add a splash of chicken broth or cream.
Variations on a Theme
This creamy Tuscan chicken is pretty adaptable. Need a gluten-free crockpot recipes ? No problem! Just make sure you serve it over gluten-free pasta or rice.
Wanna make it dairy-free? Sub coconut cream for the heavy cream. The flavor will change slightly, but it's still delicious.
If you want to make this using dump and go chicken crockpot recipes , you could prepare the mixture beforehand and dump it in the slow cooker on the day.
If you're thinking of seasonal ingredient swaps, you can easily add roasted vegetables.
Quick Nutrition Lowdown
Okay, so this slow cooker Italian chicken is rich and creamy. But hey, it's got protein from the chicken and spinach. You need that! Plus, sun-dried tomatoes are packed with vitamins.
The saturated fat is a bit high from the cream, so maybe don't eat the whole crockpot in one sitting.
It's delicious comfort food recipes , after all, so enjoy it in moderation. Also, this is a great recipe to add to your list of weeknight chicken recipes .
So there you have it! A few extra notes to make your chicken crockpot meals extra special. Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own.
You got this! And remember, cooking should be fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken in my chicken crockpot meals?
While it is possible to cook frozen chicken in a crockpot, it's generally not recommended from a food safety perspective, a bit like leaving your brolly at home when the weatherman calls for showers.
Cooking from frozen can increase the amount of time that the chicken spends at unsafe temperatures, potentially allowing bacteria to grow. For best (and safest!) results, thaw your chicken completely before adding it to the crockpot.
Help! My creamy Tuscan chicken crockpot meal sauce is too thin. How do I thicken it?
No worries, that's an easy fix! Like thickening gravy for your Sunday roast, you've got options. The simplest method is to mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Alternatively, you can remove some of the sauce and simmer it in a saucepan on the stove to reduce it, then stir it back into the crockpot.
How long can I store leftover creamy Tuscan chicken?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, about the same time you would keep leftovers from your local pub's carvery. Ensure the chicken is cooled down completely before refrigerating.
You can also freeze it for longer storage (up to 2-3 months); just be aware that the sauce's texture might change slightly upon thawing.
Can I make this Creamy Tuscan Chicken crockpot recipe healthier?
Absolutely! Swap the heavy cream for half and-half or even a lighter coconut milk for a slightly different flavor profile. You can also use more spinach or add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to bulk up the meal with nutrients, like adding extra greens to your Full English.
Additionally, be mindful of the amount of salt you add.
I only have chicken breasts. Can I substitute them for the chicken thighs in this creamy Tuscan chicken crockpot recipe?
Yes, you can, but chicken breasts tend to dry out more easily than thighs. Think of it like ordering a dry scone at tea time, it's just not quite as good! If you use chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time, and check for doneness frequently. They're usually done faster than thighs.
You can also add them in the last 1-2 hours of cooking to prevent them from overcooking.
What are some good side dishes to serve with this chicken crockpot meal?
This creamy Tuscan chicken is so versatile, you've got plenty of options! Serve it over pasta (fettuccine or linguine are great choices), mashed potatoes, or rice. A side of crusty garlic bread is always a winner for soaking up that delicious sauce.
For a lighter option, try serving it with a simple side salad or steamed green beans; a bit like having peas to balance your fish and chips!
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Crockpot Wonder
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 30g |
| Fiber | 2g |