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Creamy Crockpot Tuscan White Bean Chicken

creamy crockpot tuscan white bean chicken - featured image
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A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs, creamy white beans, and fresh spinach in a savory Tuscan sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups canned white beans, drained (Great Northern or cannellini)
  • 4 cups fresh spinach, packed
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (jarred in oil recommended)
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and half of the dried Italian herbs.
  2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken thighs 3-4 minutes per side until golden but not cooked through.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Layer the seared chicken thighs at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the sautéed garlic and tomatoes over the chicken, then add the drained white beans on top.
  5. Pour chicken broth over the ingredients. Sprinkle remaining Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if using, and adjust salt and pepper.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Beans should be soft but intact.
  7. About 15 minutes before serving, add softened cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Gently stir to combine, then fold in fresh spinach until wilted and evenly mixed.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Serve warm over cooked rice, crusty bread, or creamy polenta.

Notes

Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds flavor but can be skipped if short on time. Add cream cheese near the end to prevent separation. If sauce is too thin, leave crockpot lid off for last 10 minutes to thicken. Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese with coconut or cashew cream and omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, Tuscan chicken, white beans, creamy chicken, spinach, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/creamy-crockpot-tuscan-white-bean-chicken-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/