There is something mighty comforting about a supper you can set up in just a few minutes and let the slow cooker do the rest. This slow cooker 5-ingredient Tuscan chicken leans on a bottle of Tuscan Italian dressing for easy flavor, then turns a handful of pantry and refrigerator staples into a savory, creamy chicken dish that feels a little special without making a fuss in the kitchen. It is the sort of meal busy families come back to again and again, especially on weeknights when everybody is hungry and nobody wants a sink full of pots.
This chicken is especially good spooned over hot buttered noodles, fluffy mashed potatoes, or a bed of steamed rice to catch every bit of the creamy sauce. For a lighter plate, serve it with roasted green beans, simple steamed broccoli, or a crisp salad with cucumbers and tomatoes. A basket of warm bread or a few biscuits on the side never goes to waste either, since that sauce is too tasty to leave behind.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Tuscan Chicken
Servings: 4 to 6
Creamy Tuscan chicken plated with sauce and herbs
Creamy Tuscan chicken plated with sauce and herbs
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup bottled Tuscan Italian dressing
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh spinach
Chicken breasts, Tuscan dressing, cream cheese, Parmesan, and spinach
Chicken breasts, Tuscan dressing, cream cheese, Parmesan, and spinach
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray if desired, then arrange the chicken breasts in an even layer in the bottom.
Raw chicken breasts arranged in the slow cooker
Raw chicken breasts arranged in the slow cooker
2. Pour the Tuscan Italian dressing evenly over the chicken so each piece is well coated.
Tuscan dressing poured over raw chicken in the slow cooker
Tuscan dressing poured over raw chicken in the slow cooker
3. Scatter the cream cheese cubes over the top, then sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.
Cream cheese cubes and Parmesan added over dressed chicken
Cream cheese cubes and Parmesan added over dressed chicken
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Cooked chicken in creamy sauce inside the slow cooker
Cooked chicken in creamy sauce inside the slow cooker
5. About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the spinach, cover again, and let it wilt into the hot sauce. If you like, gently shred or slice the chicken before serving and spoon the sauce over the top.
Finished Tuscan chicken plated with noodles and sauce
Finished Tuscan chicken plated with noodles and sauce
Variations & Tips
Add sun-dried tomatoes: If you want a more classic Tuscan-style look and flavor, stir in 1/3 to 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes near the end of cooking. They bring a little sweetness and a pretty pop of color to the sauce.
Use chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully here and stay especially juicy in the slow cooker. They are a fine choice if you prefer darker meat or want a slightly richer dish.
Thin the sauce if needed: Some dressings and cream cheeses make a thicker sauce than others. If the sauce seems too thick for your liking, stir in a splash of chicken broth, milk, or a little pasta cooking water before serving.
Do not overcook: Chicken breasts can dry out if left too long, even in a slow cooker. Check for doneness on the early side, especially if your slow cooker runs hot, and serve as soon as the chicken is tender.
Make it a full meal: This recipe is a wonderful base for easy additions. A handful of mushrooms, a little extra spinach, or even steamed broccoli stirred in at the end can stretch the dish and round out supper without much extra work.