Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

When it's too hot to cook, throw this dinner in the slow cooker and wait for compliments. This rustic dish uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs, lots of seasonings, and pitted Castelvetrano olives. We really enjoy their brighter taste and color in this dish. The red pepper flakes just add a bit of zing to the sun dried tomatoes and good-for-you spinach in the sauce. Be sure to serve this with a crusty bread, so you can soak up all the tasty, creamy goodness!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 407 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 cup sliced onion
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (Optional)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons water (Optional)
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• cooking spray
• 2 cups torn fresh spinach
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian herb seasoning
• ½ cup pitted and halved Castelvetrano olives
• 2.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Spray the interior of the slow cooker with cooking spray, or use a plastic liner.

Step 2

Place chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Evenly layer sun-dried tomatoes and sliced olives over the seasoned chicken.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to the hot oil and cook until onions begin to get tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 5

Using a slotted spoon, transfer onions to the slow cooker and spread evenly over the sun-dried tomatoes.

Step 6

Return the skillet to medium heat and add cream, stirring until all the olive oil is incorporated and the sauce begins to bubble. Pour cream sauce evenly over the onions.

Step 7

Cover slow cooker and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours or Low for 6 to 7 hours if you prefer a longer cook time.

Step 8

Remove cooked chicken and vegetables to a serving platter. Add torn spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove spinach from sauce with a slotted spoon and place on top of the chicken and vegetables.

Step 9

The sauce will be a bit thin. If you like a thicker sauce, pour into a small saucepan over medium heat. Combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Stir until all the lumps are gone, to create a slurry. Add slurry to the sauce and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened, 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 10

Spoon sauce and spinach over the dish and serve warm.