Creamy Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
A comforting and creamy slow cooker Tuscan chicken pasta with a rich sun-dried tomato sauce that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 700 grams)
- 1 cup packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (about 150 grams), preferably oil-packed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 grams)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta (340 grams), cooked separately
- 2 cups baby spinach (about 60 grams)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing garlic)
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning (approx. 5 minutes).
- Optional: In a skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Add the sautéed garlic and sun-dried tomatoes or raw if skipping sautéing.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Sprinkle the remaining Italian seasoning on top. Do not stir (approx. 3 minutes).
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir gently to combine with the sauce (approx. 5 minutes).
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Add baby spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook pasta separately according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
- Toss cooked pasta directly in the crockpot sauce or serve sauce over pasta on plates. Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Sautéing garlic and sun-dried tomatoes before adding to the crockpot enhances flavor but can be skipped. Cook pasta separately to avoid mushy noodles. Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 40
Keywords: Tuscan chicken, crockpot chicken pasta, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, slow cooker pasta, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, Italian pasta recipe