Slow Cooker Creamy Parmesan Tuscan Chicken

This is a slow cooker creamy Tuscan chicken recipe made with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, Italian spices, rotini, and a creamy Parmesan sauce over juicy chicken breasts.

Let’s talk about one of my family favorite slow cooker recipes. Creamy Tuscan garlic chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Italian flavors.

Imagine coming home after a long day to the aroma of tender chicken infused with the rich flavors of tangy sun-dried tomatoes and fragrant Italian herbs.

It’s like a culinary trip to Tuscany without ever leaving your kitchen and the ultimate comfort food.

This dish is a breeze to prepare. Just toss some seasoned chicken breasts or thighs into your slow cooker along with sun-dried tomatoes, a sprinkle of minced garlic, and a generous helping of your favorite Italian seasoning blend.

Then, let the magic happen as everything simmers together in chicken broth, infusing every bite with savory goodness.

I like to serve it over rotini and scoop extra sauce for the pasta. I’ve included some alternatives below if you want a low carb option.

This is the type of meal that could seem like down-home cooking because it’s in a slow cooker, but is served elegantly enough for a dinner party. It plates beautifully and makes the dish pop with lots of color. Your dinner guests will ask for the recipe.

If you ever have trouble finding sundried tomatoes at grocery stores, try looking by the produce aisle or in the aisle with canned tomatoes. Depending on the store I go to, I have to hunt it down in one of those two places.

Ingredients

• Olive Oil
• Skinless Chicken Breasts or Boneless Chicken Thighs
• Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
• Sundried tomatoes, chopped
• Minced Garlic
• Italian Seasoning
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Fresh Spinach
• Grated or Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• Corn Starch
• Rotini Pasta

How to Make Slow Cooker Parmesan Tuscan Chicken

• Trim the boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs of any excess fat. Sprinkle each chicken breast with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings around all sides of the chicken to evenly coat.

• In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown.
• Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker.

• In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, minced garlic, sundried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken breasts.
• Cook on high for 3 hours.

• After 3 hours, add heavy cream, cornstarch, chopped spinach, and Parmesan cheese to make the creamy sauce. Carefully stir together and place the lid back on the slow cooker until the sauce thickens and the Parmesan is melted.
• While it’s likely not needed after cooking chicken on high for 3 hours, be sure that your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a meat thermometer.
• Serve chicken with rotini and spoon sauce over the pasta. Top with grated Parmesan.

What to Serve with Tuscan Chicken

Parmesan Tuscan chicken is a flavorful dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and spinach.

When serving this Italian chicken, you want to complement its flavors with side dishes that enhance the meal. Here are some delicious options:

• Caprese Salad: A simple Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, and balsamic glaze can add a refreshing touch to the meal.
• Italian Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and eggplant complement the flavors of Tuscan chicken nicely. Season them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs before roasting.
• Garlic Bread: A crusty bread seasoned with garlic is always a hit with Italian-inspired dishes. It’s great for soaking up any extra sauce from the chicken.
• Grilled Asparagus: Asparagus pairs well with the flavors of Tuscan chicken and adds a touch of elegance to the meal. Simply season the asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill or roast until tender.
• Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine lettuce with fresh homemade Caesar dressing and a crunchy seasoned topping.

Wine Pairings

Choosing the right wine to pair with creamy Parmesan Tuscan chicken involves considering the richness of the dish and the flavors of the sauce. Here are some wine options that would complement it nicely:

1. Chardonnay: A buttery, oaked Chardonnay can match the creamy sauce of the chicken while providing a refreshing contrast.
2. Sauvignon Blanc: This wine’s crisp acidity can cut through the richness of the dish, providing a clean and refreshing palate cleanser between bites.
3. Pinot Grigio: Light and refreshing, Pinot Grigio pairs well with creamy dishes without overpowering them.
4. Vermentino: This Italian white wine offers a citrusy freshness that can complement the flavors of the chicken and cut through the richness of the sauce.
5. Chianti Classico: If you prefer red wine, a lighter red like Chianti Classico can work well with creamy dishes, especially those with Parmesan cheese, offering a nice balance of acidity and fruitiness.
6. Pinot Noir: Another red option, Pinot Noir’s delicate fruitiness and soft tannins can complement the flavors of the chicken without overwhelming them.

Ultimately, personal preference plays a significant role in wine pairing. It’s always a good idea to experiment with different wines to find the perfect match for your tastes.

Rotini Substitutes

Pasta can be a carb-heavy and very filling. For lighter low-carb options, these work very well:

1. Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles): Zucchini noodles are a popular low-carb alternative to traditional pasta. You can make them using a spiralizer or purchase pre-made zoodles from the store. Sauté the zoodles briefly in olive oil until they’re just tender, then serve them with your Tuscan chicken and sauce.
2. Spaghetti Squash: Spaghetti squash, when cooked, naturally separates into strands resembling spaghetti. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and roast or microwave until tender. Use a fork to scrape out the strands, then serve them as a base for your Tuscan chicken.
3. Eggplant: Sliced and grilled or roasted eggplant can serve as a hearty and flavorful pasta substitute. Layer the eggplant slices with your Tuscan chicken and sauce, or chop the eggplant into cubes and sauté it with garlic and olive oil for a pasta-like texture.
4. Lettuce Wraps: For an even lighter option, you can serve your Tuscan chicken in lettuce wraps instead of with pasta or a rice substitute. Use large lettuce leaves, such as romaine or butter lettuce, as a base, then fill them with the chicken and any additional toppings or sauce.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerating

Store leftover Tuscan chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing

Parmesan Tuscan chicken can last in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. I like to store it flat in a resealable bag to save space.

Reheating Leftovers

To reheat from the fridge, reheating in the microwave is the easiest and quickest. However, to properly heat the sauce I recommend the stove. If the sauce is broken at all add more cream or milk to bind it together again.

When you’re ready to reheat the frozen Tuscan chicken, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight.

Alternatively, you can thaw it more quickly by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

Recommended Recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
• Air Fryer Chicken Spiedini
• Creamy Three-Cheese Chicken and Spinach Pasta
• Crockpot Italian Chicken and Pasta
• Olive Garden’s Fettuccine Alfredo
• One-Pan Smothered Chicken with Mushroom Gravy
• Pan-Seared Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles