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Creamy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

creamy slow cooker tuscan chicken - featured image
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A cozy and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken breasts in a creamy, garlicky Tuscan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Perfect for comforting dinners with minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (about 70 g), packed in oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups loosely packed baby spinach (about 120 g)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (115 g)
  • 1/2 cup small-curd cottage cheese (120 g)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml), low-sodium preferred
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, thyme mix)
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (35 g)
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing garlic, optional)

Instructions

  1. In a blender or food processor, combine softened cream cheese and cottage cheese. Blend until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
  2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes. If skipping, add raw garlic directly to the slow cooker.
  3. Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes evenly over the chicken.
  5. Pour chicken broth and heavy cream over the chicken and tomatoes.
  6. Dollop the blended cream cheese and cottage cheese mixture on top. Do not stir.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is tender.
  8. About 15 minutes before cooking ends, stir in baby spinach and grated Parmesan cheese. Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens slightly.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning as needed. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream; if too thin, cook uncovered on high for 15 minutes to reduce.
  10. Serve warm over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or pasta. Let chicken rest in sauce for 10 minutes off heat if possible.

Notes

Blending cream cheese with small-curd cottage cheese creates a silky smooth sauce. Sautéing garlic before adding enhances flavor but is optional. Add spinach at the end to avoid overcooking. Let chicken rest in sauce for 10 minutes before serving for better flavor melding. Adjust seasoning gradually as slow cookers can mute flavors. For dairy-free, substitute cheeses and cream with coconut cream and dairy-free alternatives. For low-carb, serve over cauliflower mash or spiralized zucchini noodles.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, Tuscan chicken, creamy chicken, easy dinner, garlic chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, comfort food, crockpot recipe

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/creamy-slow-cooker-tuscan-chicken-recipe-for-easy-cozy-dinners/