Okay, picture this: you want to serve something that tastes incredibly elegant and impressive, maybe for guests or just a special weeknight treat for yourself, but you really don’t want to spend hours actively cooking. That was totally me a while back! I decided to experiment by combining some of my absolute favorite flavors – a creamy Parmesan sauce, those tangy-sweet sun-dried tomatoes, tender chicken – all in the slow cooker, basically crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. The result? This absolutely divine Creamy Parmesan Chicken that tastes like it came from a fancy Italian restaurant but literally took me about 10 minutes of actual prep work!
This recipe has become my secret weapon for easy elegance! It delivers such rich, sophisticated flavors with truly minimal hands-on time, makes your kitchen smell heavenly while it simmers away, and always, always gets rave reviews. Bonus? It fits beautifully into a low-carb or keto lifestyle, making it a fantastic option for almost everyone at the table.
Why This Recipe is a Keeper
It’s more than just easy – it’s incredibly delicious! Here’s why it works so well:
- Luxurious Creamy Sauce: The magic is definitely in the sauce! Rich heavy cream and savory Parmesan cheese create this velvety base, while minced garlic and those intensely flavorful sun-dried tomatoes infuse it with incredible depth. It coats the chicken perfectly.
- Tender Chicken Every Time: Gently cooking chicken breasts low and slow is the secret to keeping them moist and tender. They essentially poach in that amazing sauce, soaking up all the flavor. No dry chicken here!
- Simple Prep, Big Flavor Payoff: Seriously, the hands-on part is minimal. Season the chicken, whisk together the sauce ingredients, pour it over, and let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward kind of meal!
Gather Your Ingredients
You only need a few key things to create this magic:
Chicken & Seasonings:
- 2.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: (Try to choose breasts that are similar in thickness for even cooking).
- 2.5 teaspoons Italian Seasoning: A classic blend works perfectly.
- 3/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes: (Optional, but adds a lovely gentle warmth – adjust to your liking!).
- Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste.
Creamy Sauce:
- 2/3 cup Chicken Broth: (Using low-sodium is always a good idea to control the saltiness).
- 1 1/3 cups Heavy Cream: This provides that essential richness and creaminess – don’t skimp here!
- 2/3 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese: (Use the real stuff! Freshly grated from a block melts best and has superior flavor).
- 2/3 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes packed in oil: Make sure they’re drained well and give them a rough chop. They pack a huge flavor punch!
- 3 cloves Garlic: Minced.
Finishing Touches:
- 1 1/3 cups Chopped Baby Spinach: (About 5 oz fresh). Adds gorgeous color and nutrients!
- 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Basil: (Optional, but highly recommended for a fresh, herbaceous finish).
Let’s Get Cooking!
- Start by patting your chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. Season them generously on all sides with the Italian seasoning, onion powder, red pepper flakes (if you’re using them), salt, and pepper. This seasoning step builds flavor right from the start!
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker insert (a 5-quart or larger works well) with nonstick spray or a little oil. Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom, trying to keep them in a single layer as much as possible.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients well – that means the chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan, chopped drained sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic – until everything is nicely combined.
- Pour this glorious creamy mixture evenly over the chicken breasts nestled in the slow cooker.
- Secure the lid tightly! Set your slow cooker to LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken is done when it’s cooked through and tender. Cook until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) – using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to ensure perfectly cooked chicken breast. Avoid lifting the lid often, as it lets heat escape and increases cook time.
- Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, turn off the slow cooker or switch it to the “keep warm” setting. Stir in the chopped baby spinach and the fresh basil (if using).
- Pop the lid back on for just 5-10 minutes. The residual heat is all you need to let the spinach wilt completely into the sauce.
- Give the sauce a final taste and adjust seasoning if needed – maybe a pinch more salt or pepper?
- Serve the chicken breasts whole, spooning a very generous amount of that incredible creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce right over the top. Enjoy immediately!
Helpful Tips & Tricks
- Sauce Thickness: This sauce is naturally rich and creamy. If you happen to want it even thicker, you could make a slurry by whisking 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch (will add carbs) or 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum (low-carb option) with a little cold water, then stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking on HIGH. Honestly, I usually find it perfect as is!
- Lightening it Up?: While you could try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, the sauce won’t be nearly as luxurious, and it might be more prone to separating slightly. Heavy cream really holds up best for that decadent texture in slow cooking.
- Storing Leftovers: Lucky you! Leftovers are amazing. Store the cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave.1 The sauce might thicken a bit when cold – just add a tiny splash of broth or water when reheating if needed.
- Veggie Additions: Want to sneak in more veggies? Sliced mushrooms or some drained, chopped artichoke hearts would be delicious added along with the sauce ingredients at the beginning!
Diabetes-Friendly Eating with Creamy Parmesan Chicken
This rich and flavorful dish can definitely be enjoyed as part of a diabetes-friendly eating plan with these considerations:
- Low Carb Profile: The recipe is naturally low in carbohydrates, estimated at around 6g net carbs per serving. The carbs primarily come from the tomatoes, dairy, and seasonings.
- Protein Powerhouse: Chicken breast provides high-quality lean protein, which is great for satiety and blood sugar management (estimated 37g per serving).
- Fat Content Awareness: This is a richer dish due to the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. While fats don’t directly raise blood sugar significantly, they are calorie-dense and contribute saturated fat. Be mindful of portion sizes to fit this into your overall daily fat and calorie goals.
- Ingredient Checks: Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (drained well), as some dry-packed varieties can have added sugars. Check labels if you’re unsure. Using low-sodium chicken broth and controlling added salt helps manage sodium intake.
- Dairy Notes: Heavy cream and Parmesan cheese are very low in lactose and carbohydrates, making them generally well-suited for low-carb and diabetic diets in moderation.
- Smart Serving is Key: Absolutely avoid serving this over traditional pasta or rice. Instead, pair it with low-carb options like cauliflower rice, cauliflower mash, zucchini noodles (zoodles), or spaghetti squash. Serving it alongside plenty of non-starchy green vegetables (like a large salad, steamed green beans, or roasted asparagus) adds fiber and nutrients, creating a more balanced meal.
- Mindful Portions: Remember, the nutritional estimate is for 1/8th of the total recipe. Adjust your serving size based on your individual needs and how this richer dish fits into your meal plan.
- Monitor Your Response: Everyone’s blood sugar responds differently, especially to meals higher in fat. Monitor your levels to see how this specific meal affects you. Always consult your doctor or a registered dietitian for personalized meal planning advice.
Serving Ideas We Love
This creamy chicken feels special enough for guests but is easy enough for a weeknight!
- Serve it over a bed of fluffy cauliflower rice or creamy cauliflower mash – perfect for soaking up that amazing sauce!
- It’s absolutely delicious spooned over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash strands.
- Pair it with simple steamed asparagus, broccoli florets, or green beans.
- A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette offers a lovely fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
- It makes a wonderful centerpiece for a low-key dinner party or a satisfying family meal.
Slow Cooker Creamy Parmesan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce featuring tangy sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. This easy slow cooker recipe delivers impressive flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season them generously on all sides with Italian seasoning, onion powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Lightly grease the insert of your slow cooker (minimum 5-quart size recommended) with nonstick spray or a thin layer of oil. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer as much as possible.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped drained sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Pour this creamy sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Secure the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on the LOW heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on the HIGH heat setting for 3 to 4 hours. Cooking time is complete when the chicken is cooked through and tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C). Avoid checking chicken temperature too early or lifting the lid frequently, as this releases heat.
- Once the chicken is cooked, turn the slow cooker off or to the "keep warm" setting. Stir the chopped baby spinach and chopped fresh basil (if using) into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Replace the lid for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the residual heat to wilt the spinach completely.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve the chicken breasts whole with a generous amount of the creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
Yield: 8 servings
Low-Carb Serving Suggestions:
- Serve over cauliflower rice or cauliflower mash.
- Pair with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
- Accompany with steamed asparagus, broccoli, or a simple green salad.
- Enjoy alongside roasted low-carb vegetables like Brussels sprouts or green beans.
- Calories: 385
- Total Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12.5g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sodium: 625mg (plus added salt to taste; will vary based on broth, tomatoes,
- cheese, and salt used)
- Total Carbohydrates: 8g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 37g
- Net Carbs: 6g
Ready for Some Slow Cooker Magic?
Treat yourself and your family to this incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy Slow Cooker Creamy Parmesan Chicken! It’s that perfect blend of comforting and elegant, and it’s guaranteed to become a requested favorite in your house too.
