Crockpot Tuscan Chicken – tender chicken thighs cooked with garlic, sun-dried tomato paste and orzo, finished with sour cream and spinach. A flavor-packed family meal that’s fuss free and delicious.
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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
I totally love the flavors in my Tuscan shrimp pasta so a Tuscan Chicken recipe simply HAD to be on this site!
This one-pot meal can be made on the stove but it’s just as easy – actually easier! – to make in your slow cooker. I love how the tender chicken thighs and pasta absorb all the lovely Italian flavors.
TUSCAN CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
Skinless and boneless chicken thighs are perfect for crock pot cooking but you can use chicken breasts or chicken tenders if preferred.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes are usually used in this recipe but I found that sun-dried tomato paste is even easier to use (no chopping!) and brings just as much flavor. You can also use sun-dried tomato pesto if you like! I also added some fresh cherry tomatoes that needed to be used up.
Mushrooms – these are optional so feel free to leave out if you are not a fan! You can replace these with canned artichoke hearts.
The Pasta – I added orzo pasta straight into the slow cooker. It cooks in about 45 minutes on HIGH. You can use other types of small dried pasta of course. If you want to keep this recipe low carb and keto friendly then you can leave the pasta out altogether (see recipe notes).
Fresh spinach is added right at the end of cooking, wilting when mixed in. You can add as little or as much as you like!
Make it creamy! Stir in sour cream or creme fraiche right at the end of cooking to add richness to the dish. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3 days. Slow cooker Tuscan chicken is suitable for freezing if no pasta is added.
CROCKPOT CHICKEN THIGHS
This Tuscan Chicken recipe requires you to sear the chicken thighs and sauté the vegetables first. My slow cooker allows for searing so there’s no need to dirty up additional pans. If you are in a hurry, simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, stir and cook.
Your chicken thighs will be cooked in 2-2 ½ hours on the HIGH setting, remember you will be adding the pasta in after 90 minutes or so. Older slow cookers with ceramic inserts might take slightly longer.
Dietary Variations
- Gluten Free – if you use gluten free pasta.
- Dairy Free– leave out the sour cream and cheese.
- Low Carb/Keto– if you leave out the pasta.
- Slimming World Friendly – use cooking spray and sun dried tomatoes with oil rinsed off. Either leave out the sour cream or use half fat sour cream or fat free creme fraiche for lower syns.
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Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken
Equipment & Tools
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil , or cooking spray
- 8 chicken thighs , boneless & skinless
- 1 yellow onion , diced
- 1 cup (125g) mushrooms, sliced optional
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 6 tbsp sundried tomato paste
- 2 tsp garlic paste
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 ⅔ cups (400ml) hot chicken broth / stock
- 1 cup (170g) orzo pasta (or small dried pasta shapes)
- 2 cups (60g) fresh baby spinach (or as much as you like!)
- 3 tbsp sour cream or creme fraiche
- 2 tbsp fresh basil , chopped
- Grated parmesan , to serve
Instructions
- If your slow cooker allows for searing then add the oil and cook the chicken until coloured on both sides.
- Add the onions, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomato paste and garlic.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and broth. Cover and cook for 90 minutes on HIGH setting.
- Stir in the pasta, cover and cook for a further 30-45 minutes until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
- Add the spinach and stir into the pasta so that it wilts. Stir in the sour cream and check the seasoning.
- Serve topped with chopped basil and grated Parmesan.
Video
Notes
- Gluten Free – if you use gluten free pasta. Dairy Free– leave out the sour cream and cheese.
- Low Carb/ Keto– if you leave out the pasta.
- Slimming World Friendly – use cooking spray and sun dried tomatoes with oil rinsed off. Either leave out the sour cream or use half fat sour cream or fat free creme fraiche for lower syns.
- Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3 days. Slow cooker Tuscan chicken is suitable for freezing if no pasta is added.
Jess Williams says
Made this without sour cream and added a squeeze of fresh lemon at the end, delicious!
Lorna says
Loved this. Cooked 2 portions in a 1.5L (much same as 1.5 quart) slow cooker. I DIDnt have sundried tomato paste so used chopped sun dried tomato and tomato purée (in UK). Really good flavours and will definitely be making again 😁