Description
Crockpot Tuscan Garlic Chicken brings Italian countryside flavors directly to home kitchens with minimal preparation. Rich creamy sauce and tender chicken create a memorable meal that beckons families to gather around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) or 6 chicken thighs
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups spinach, fresh
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for searing)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (for extra depth)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly pat chicken breasts dry and massage with dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper to ensure deep flavor penetration.
- Crockpot Foundation: Create an aromatic base by spreading sliced onions and minced garlic across the bottom of the crockpot.
- Protein Placement: Position seasoned chicken breasts atop the onion-garlic layer, maintaining adequate spacing for even cooking.
- Flavor Enhancement: Distribute sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach around the chicken, introducing vibrant colors and nutritional complexity.
- Liquid Infusion: Drench the chicken with a combination of chicken broth and heavy cream, forming a rich, Tuscan-inspired cooking medium.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover and set crockpot to low heat, allowing chicken to tenderize and develop intense flavors over 6-7 hours.
- Sauce Refinement: In the final cooking phase, incorporate cream cheese to elevate the sauce’s smoothness and add a luxurious tang.
- Final Touches: Carefully extract chicken, whisk sauce to achieve a silky consistency, and embellish with freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley.
- Serving Suggestion: Present the chicken over pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables, showcasing the dish’s robust Tuscan-inspired profile.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Moisture: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to prevent excess liquid and ensure a perfect, tender texture that absorbs spices effectively.
- Season Aggressively: Massage herbs and spices directly into chicken meat, creating deeper flavor penetration and more robust Tuscan-inspired taste throughout each bite.
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Add cream cheese during final cooking stage to stabilize sauce, preventing potential curdling and maintaining a smooth, rich consistency that coats chicken beautifully.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, or replace chicken with firm tofu for vegetarian alternative without compromising the dish’s signature Tuscan flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (Low) / 2-3 hours (High)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 180mg