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GET IT NOWMy Crock Pot Tuscan chicken combines three of my food loves — creamy chicken dishes, Italian flavors, and easy, healthy recipes — into one amazing dinner. It’s as simple as tossing everything into the slow cooker and letting it work its magic. This dish is a winner over some easy roasted potatoes, noodles, or cauliflower rice on a hectic weeknight, or as a meal prep option. Make this slow cooker Tuscan chicken with me for a comforting, hands-off meal!
Why You Need My Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe

- Creamy, cheesy, and fall-apart tender – If you like my Tuscan salmon, this slow cooker Tuscan chicken is a lot like that, but with juicy, tender chicken breast and a thinner cream sauce (think drizzle!). It’s super flavorful with the garlic, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Simple ingredients – No condensed soups or processed foods here. I only use fresh, simple grocery staples, which are naturally gluten-free.
- So easy to make – My Crock Pot Tuscan chicken is mostly hands-off, with only about 15 minutes of hands-on time. I also have a stovetop option in my tips below.


Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my slow cooker Tuscan chicken recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Chicken – I usually use boneless skinless chicken breasts. Boneless chicken thighs or tenderloins work, too.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is ideal, but a tablespoon of jarred minced garlic will do the trick. You can also saute some diced onions with it for extra flavor if you like.
- Olive Oil – To saute the garlic. Avocado oil is good, too.
- Heavy Cream – This will make your Crock Pot Tuscan chicken creamy! Full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream will work if you need a substitute. I don’t recommend using other types of milk, as the sauce will be super thin.
- Chicken Broth – I use reduced sodium store-bought, since the cheese adds enough salt. You can also make your own homemade broth or bone broth.
- Parmesan Cheese – Thickens the sauce and adds flavor. Grated parm melts more easily than shredded. Avoid softer cheeses, which can become stringy.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Make your own sun-dried tomatoes in the oven, or just use store-bought.
- Spinach – I highly recommend fresh spinach here. If you only have frozen, thaw and drain it, then use about one ounce. Or feel free to add more to your liking!
- Spices – Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. If you want a kick, toss in some crushed red pepper flakes.

How To Make Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Saute the garlic. Just cook it in a saucepan in a little olive oil.
- Make the sauce. Add the cream and chicken broth, and simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Then, lower the heat and stir in the parmesan cheese, until smooth and creamy. Add salt to your taste if needed.


- Season the chicken. Place it in the bottom of your Crock Pot (I have this one and it fits 4 chicken breasts nicely). Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and top with chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cook low and slow. Pour the sauce over the chicken, then turn on your slow cooker. You can cook on low or high — see my times on the recipe card below.


- Wilt the spinach. Remove the chicken, and turn slow cooker to high. Add the spinach and stir until wilted.
- Bring it all together. Return your creamy Crock Pot Tuscan chicken to the slow cooker. Spoon the toppings over it before serving.


My Recipe Tips
- If your sun-dried tomatoes are oily, pat them dry. This will prevent your sauce from turning out oily.
- Try to get most of the sauce directly on the chicken. NOT sitting at the bottom of the Crock Pot! Some will run off, but the chicken stays juicier this way, and the sauce on top stays nice and thick.
- Don’t forget the sauce and toppings at the bottom. When serving your Crock Pot Tuscan chicken, scoop those flavorful toppings from the bottom of the slow cooker, and drizzle the sauce over the chicken. It’ll be amazing over your side dishes, too!
- Prefer a thicker sauce? I love that the sauce is on the thinner side—perfect for drizzling over the chicken (and any sides like rice or potatoes). But if you want a thicker sauce, you can stir in some softened cream cheese after removing the chicken, or simmer the sauce in a saucepan with a little cornstarch at the end.
- Want to cook it faster on your stovetop? Just season the chicken and sear it in a skillet to brown (but not cook through). Make the sauce on the stove as usual (I just use the same skillet), then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach to wilt. Add the chicken into the pan with the sauce, and simmer until cooked through. One thing I like about this method is the sauce is thicker! You can also just make my sun-dried tomato chicken or marry me chicken, which are very similar and use the stovetop.

Serving Ideas
This Crock Pot Tuscan chicken makes a lot of flavorful sauce, so I recommend serving it over a base to soak it up! Here are some options:
- Noodles – Choose your favorite pasta, or one of my healthier options, like zucchini noodles or baked spaghetti squash. Try microwave spaghetti squash if you need something fast.
- Rice – The cream sauce makes it so flavorful! My personal fave is cauliflower rice.
- Potatoes – My kids love this chicken over mashed potatoes, while my husband and I like mashed cauliflower (pictured above). Roasted potatoes also work well, or you could even opt for roasted rutabaga or air fryer butternut squash.
Want to add a vegetable? Try my sauteed eggplant, parmesan broccoli and cauliflower, or one of my Italian-inspired salads, like artichoke salad, Caprese salad, or roasted veggie salad.

Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken
My creamy Crock Pot Tuscan chicken has a rich sauce with garlic, parmesan, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Super easy in the slow cooker!
Instructions
[ See step photos See my tips ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and saute for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
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Add the cream and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes. The sauce will still be thin, but thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon.
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Meanwhile, place the chicken in the bottom of your Crock Pot. Season with Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Top with sun-dried tomatoes.
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When the sauce has thickened a bit, turn down the heat to low. Whisk or stir in the parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup at a time, until smooth. Adjust salt to your taste if needed.
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Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Try to get as much sauce as possible on top of the chicken and less on the bottom.
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Cook for 3-4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low.
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Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set aside. The sauce in the slow cooker will be thin due to liquid released by the chicken, but the top of the chicken should have a layer of sauce that sticks to it.
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Turn the slow cooker on High, if it isn't already. Add the chopped spinach and stir for a few minutes, until the spinach wilts.
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Return the chicken to the slow cooker, and spoon the liquid, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes on top, or just pour them over the chicken to serve.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 chicken breast with sauce, or 1/4 of the entire recipe
- Tips: See my recipe tips above! I’ve got options for a thicker sauce or cooking this dish on the stovetop instead.
- Store: Keep leftovers covered in an airtight container the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Meal prep: This dish stores well, so you can make it ahead! You can also just make the sauce in advance.
- Reheat: I usually just pop this dish in the microwave, as it doesn’t dry out easily. You can also toss the Tuscan chicken in the Crock Pot again on the Warm setting, or in the oven at 350 degrees F.
- Freeze: The texture of this sauce can change a bit if you freeze it, but I do it anyway! Cool completely, transfer to zip lock bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken

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292 Comments
Katie
0My family LOVES this meal! And I love how easy it is to throw in the crock pot for a few hours and makes the house smell amazing!
I bought the sun-dried tomatoes in a jar and did NOT chop or drain them. The final product was a bit oily but overall it is truly delicious! I spooned the whole thing over my cauliflower rice, and it actually makes me want to eat cauliflower rice. 😂
Also, my husband and I meal prep this at the beginning of the week, and it reheats beautifully.
Gayle
0I am going to try this today over cauliflower! 🤞🏻I just need my chicken to thaw! Or it will be tomorrow. Thank you for the idea. I like your recipes.!! Gayle
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thanks, Gayle! Let me know how it turns out!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad your family loves this recipe, Katie! Thank you for sharing your meal, it sounds perfect.
Rick Cerrona
0Hi Maya. I followed the recipe as recommended and the chicken turned out dry and without any flavor at all. Sorry, but I’ll pass on following your recommendations from now on.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Rick, Sorry to hear your chicken turned out dry. It sounds like you overcooked it. It could be that your slow cooker runs hot, so I would check on it sooner next time. If that’s what happened, it’s likely this will happen with other slow cooker recipes, even if they aren’t mine. Hope this helps.
Vanessa
0Will it make a difference if the chicken is diced? I’d like to use a combination of chicken breast and thighs, and dice them together.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Vanessa, I haven’t tried this with diced chicken. I’ve made this with a combination of breasts and thighs, but still had them whole. If you try diced, please let me know how it goes! I suspect the cook time may need to be reduced.
Kathy
0Hi Maya,
I would love to make this recipe but I don’t like spinach. Is there anything else that can be substituted for the spinach?
Thanks,
Kathy
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Kathy, Kale would make a good substitute!
Brandi Brown
0Hi. Can you use frozen chicken for this recipe, or does it have to be thawed first?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Brandi, The USDA doesn’t recommend slow cooking chicken from frozen, so I would thaw it first.
Andy
0Super easy, quick and absolutely delicious. Try substituting bone in chicken thighs too. We make it twice a month and alternate over rice or noodles.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Andy! I agree that bone-in chicken thighs work great, too.
Amie Lane
0I made this (or more accurately, my husband) and it was wonderful to say the least!! I wouldn’t change a thing and highly recommend trying it!! Yum!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Amie! Appreciate the kind words.
Mike
0Great recipe! I did a crock of breasts, and a crock of thighs. I also added some red and yellow peppers, and some of my home made chipotles for a little spice and smokiness. Delicious!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Mike! Those sound like delicious additions.
Irena
0Incredibly good!!! I made it yesterday and doubled the recipe. I planned to serve it tonight again but my husband pretty much ate it all for lunch 🙂 Thank you Maya.
KC
0I’m doubling the recipe for a big family get together meal. Can I use one large crockpot for all or should i do two regular batches in two crockpots? Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi KC, Yes, you can use one large one, although the sauce sticks the best to the parts of the chicken on top outside the liquid, so you’ll have less of that for pieces that are layered underneath. You can use two Crock Pots if you have two and want to avoid this. Let me know how it goes!
Leslie
0Love this recipe!
Nancy
0Hi, I live basically in the middle of nowhere the only store we have is a Dollar general. Would it be okay to use canned spinach or frozen spinach and is there something I can substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Nancy, Yes, you could use either as long as it’s thawed and drained well. You can make your own sun-dried tomatoes from fresh ones, or roasted red peppers might work nicely as an alternative.
Sydney
0Do you think the sauce would still turn out okay if I omitted the cheese? Or will this negatively alter the texture?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Sydney, I think it would still be good, but it would be much thinner. You could also substitute cream cheese instead of parmesan to thicken for a different flavor.
Barbara Belotti Cioschi
0This recipe was delicious. The only change I made was chicken bullion powder instead of broth. I added a little more cream instead. I cooked it for 5.5 hours and the chicken was perfect.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Barbara! Good to hear that substitution worked for you.
Cherie
0Any suggestions on a different cheese? My husband doesn’t like Parmesan cheese.😥
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Cherie, I haven’t made this with another type of cheese. Pecorino Romano would probably work. More melty cheeses would be more stringy.
Renee mathews
0Love this recipe! I did do a bit of tweaking, I added about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese in the sauce and added just a dash of slap ya momma seasoning to the sauce as well! I served over steamed broccoli 🤤 thank you for sharing this ❤️
Lynda
0Hi, This recipe sounds yummy. Do you info on the sodium per serving?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Lynda, Sorry, I don’t. Sodium can vary widely depending on the brand of ingredients. You can read more about my nutrition policy here.
Connie
0Super easy and SO good, even my picky husband loved it!
Barb
0This recipe is great, I did add some Reisling and Savaugn blanc wine to the sauce. I also added a few sprinkles of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Great recipe!!
Don
0The chicken tastes good but my sauce almost completely dried up while cooking. I followed the recipe exactly and did 7 hours on low. The sun dried tomatoes are basically burnt and there wasn’t really any sauce there at the end to add spinach to. I have a very good Crock Pot brand slow cooker and I’ve never experienced anything like this before :/
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Don, Sorry to hear that happened. It sounds like maybe your slow cooker runs hot? There should be a lot of sauce, as you can see in my pictures above. You can try cooking for less time next time to see if that helps.
Carole
0Delicious with easy-to-follow instructions which I really appreciate. Great flavor and not a lot of work! Win, win!!