Description
This Easy Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, juicy chicken simmered in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. Perfectly seasoned and slow-cooked to perfection, it’s a comforting Italian-American main course that’s simple to prepare and delicious served with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 3 to 4 minutes until the skin turns golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes to seal in the juices and develop flavor.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Remove the chicken from the skillet and place them into the slow cooker, arranging them evenly.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This adds depth to the sauce.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour the garlic and broth mixture into the slow cooker over the chicken. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Stir gently to combine everything around the chicken thighs.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken should be tender and fully cooked through.
- Add Spinach: About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, stir in the fresh spinach and allow it to wilt into the sauce.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the creamy Tuscan chicken thighs hot with your favorite sides such as rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts can be used as a substitute, but adjust cooking times accordingly.
- For a dairy-free version, replace the heavy cream with coconut cream and omit the Parmesan cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
