Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Pot for pasta
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts cubed
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup sun dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 1 tsp chicken bouillon
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 to 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 12 to 16 oz pasta penne, rotini, or bowtie
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional ingredient alternatives:
- Heavy cream instead of cream cheese
- Kale instead of spinach
- Gluten free pasta
- Roasted red peppers
Instructions
- Cube the chicken and toss it with flour, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, chicken stock, and chicken bouillon to the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Cook the pasta separately according to package directions.
- Add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the cream cheese, parmesan, extra seasonings, and spinach.
- Mix until the sauce becomes creamy and the spinach wilts.
Video
Nutrition
A Rich and Comforting Slow Cooker Pasta
This slow cooker creamy Tuscan chicken pasta creates a warm and comforting dinner with very little effort. The chicken cooks slowly in a flavorful broth filled with garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. As the ingredients simmer, they release rich aromas and build a deep, savory base. Because the slow cooker handles most of the work, this recipe fits busy days, relaxed weekends, or any night when you want a cozy pasta dish without extra steps. The final result tastes creamy, cheesy, and full of classic Tuscan inspired flavors.
Building the Flavor Base
You begin by cubing the chicken and tossing it with flour, salt, and pepper. This step helps the chicken brown slightly and thickens the sauce as it cooks. After seasoning the chicken, you add it to the slow cooker along with the garlic, sun dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, chicken stock, and bouillon. These ingredients blend together as they warm, and the broth becomes rich and fragrant. Because the chicken cooks low and slow, it stays tender and absorbs the flavors around it.
Creating the Creamy Sauce
Once the chicken cooks through, the sauce begins to thicken naturally. The flour helps the broth turn silky, and the sun dried tomatoes add sweetness and depth. After the cooking time ends, you stir in the cream cheese and parmesan. As they melt, the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. The parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor, while the cream cheese gives the sauce a velvety texture. This combination creates a rich base that coats the pasta beautifully.
Adding the Pasta and Spinach
While the chicken cooks, you prepare the pasta separately. Cooking the pasta on the side keeps it from becoming too soft in the slow cooker. Once the pasta finishes, you add it directly to the sauce. The warm noodles absorb the creamy mixture and take on the Tuscan flavors. After that, you stir in the spinach. The heat from the sauce wilts the spinach quickly and adds color and freshness. The dish becomes creamy, warm, and full of texture.
Optional Ingredient Swaps
This recipe also gives you room to customize. You can use heavy cream instead of cream cheese for a looser sauce. Kale works well in place of spinach if you want a heartier green. Gluten free pasta holds up nicely, and roasted red peppers add sweetness if you want a different flavor profile. These options keep the recipe flexible and easy to adjust.
A Reliable and Flavorful Slow Cooker Meal
This slow cooker creamy Tuscan chicken pasta delivers a rich and satisfying dinner that feels comforting every time. The ingredients stay simple, the steps stay easy, and the final result tastes like a dish you would order at a cozy Italian restaurant. Whether you serve it for family dinners or meal prep, this recipe always brings warm and familiar flavors.