Hello, fellow food lovers and welcome back to Crock Potz! If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly on the hunt for meals that are both ridiculously delicious and incredibly easy. We’re talking “set it and forget it” levels of simple. Today, I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite Gluten Free Crock Pot Recipes that will make you feel like a gourmet chef without breaking a sweat: Creamy Gluten-Free Tuscan Chicken.
This isn’t just another chicken dinner. This is a one-pot wonder where tender chicken breast simmers all day in a luscious, savory sauce packed with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic. It’s the kind of meal that fills your home with an amazing aroma and has everyone asking for seconds. Ready to transform your weeknight dinner game? Let’s dive in!
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Your Crockpot
The magic of the slow cooker is its ability to cook “low and slow,” and this Tuscan chicken recipe is its perfect partner. The gentle, consistent heat breaks down the chicken until it’s fork-tender and juicy, never dry. More importantly, it gives all those beautiful Italian flavors—the tangy sun-dried tomatoes, the earthy spinach, the pungent garlic—time to meld together into a truly harmonious sauce.
It’s a classic example of how a Crockpot can take simple ingredients and elevate them into something special. You just can’t replicate this depth of flavor with a quick pan-fry. This is comfort food at its finest, made incredibly convenient.
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients ready beforehand is the key to any successful Crockpot meal. It’s what we in the slow cooking community call the “dump dinner” prep. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.
Kitchen Tools:
- A 6-Quart Crockpot: This size is perfect for fitting 4-6 chicken breasts without overcrowding. If you have a smaller 4-quart model, just halve the recipe.
- A skillet for searing (optional, but highly recommended!)
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 large breasts)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup gluten-free chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 tsp gluten-free Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
A Note on Gluten-Free Ingredients: Always double-check your labels! Chicken broth and Italian seasoning blends can sometimes contain hidden gluten. Brands like Swanson (for broth) and McCormick (for single spices) are generally safe bets in the US, but it’s always best to verify.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for a foolproof Tuscan chicken dinner. The most “active” part is at the very beginning; after that, your Crockpot does all the heavy lifting.
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This is a crucial step for building flavor from the ground up.
- Sear for Flavor (The Secret Step!): In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. You are not cooking it through, just creating a beautiful, flavorful crust. Once seared, transfer the chicken to the bottom of your Crockpot.
- Build the Flavor Base: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the gluten-free chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This is called deglazing, and it’s where all the flavor is!
- Combine and Cook: Pour the onion, garlic, and broth mixture over the chicken in the Crockpot. Sprinkle the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning on top.
- Set It and Forget It: Cover the Crockpot and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. Chicken is done when it’s cooked through and tender. Remember the golden rule of slow cooking: do not lift the lid! Every time you peek, you release heat and add about 20-30 minutes to the cooking time.
- Make it Creamy: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Then, add the fresh spinach, pushing it down into the sauce. It will look like a lot, but it wilts down in minutes.
- Final Touches: Place the lid back on and cook for the final 15-30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and the spinach is fully wilted. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Pro Tips for Perfect Gluten Free Crock Pot Recipes
After years of making gluten free crock pot recipes, I’ve learned a few things, sometimes the hard way! Here are my top tips to guarantee success.
- Don’t Skip the Sear: I know, it’s an extra pan to wash. But trust me, searing the chicken creates a depth of flavor through the Maillard reaction that you simply can’t get by just dumping raw chicken in. It makes a world of difference.
- Layer Correctly: For recipes with root vegetables, always place them on the bottom (closest to the heat source) with the meat on top. For this recipe, the chicken goes on the bottom to ensure it stays moist in the cooking liquid.
- How to Thicken Your Sauce: Is your sauce a little thin for your liking? Easy fix! In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (a gluten-free thickener) with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the Crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
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Our Picks for the Best Crockpot in 2025
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| Num | Product | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR), Versatile Cookware for Large Families or Entertaining |
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| 2 | Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel |
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| 3 | Double Slow Cooker, 2 x 1.25 QT Portable Small Dual Crock Cooker, Buffet Servers and Warmers Dishwasher Safe, Removable Ceramic Pot Glass Lid, Stainless Steel Black |
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| 4 | bella 6.0 Qt Programmable Slow Cooker, Ceramic Nonstick Coating, Adjustable Temperature & Cooking Times, Dishwasher Safe Stoneware Pot & Tempered Glass Lid, Tangle Free Cord Wrap, Plum |
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| 5 | Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker, Portable Programmable with Timer, Locking Lid, Stainless Steel; an Essential Kitchen Appliance, Perfect for Families and Gatherings |
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| 6 | Crockpot 2-Quart Classic Slow Cooker Small Slow Cooker Black |
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| 7 | Sunvivi Dual Pot Slow Cooker, 2 Pot Small Mini Crock Buffet Server and Warmer, Upgraded Oval Ceramic Double Pot Buffet Food Warmer Adjustable Temp Glass Lid, Total 2.5 Quarts |
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| 8 | Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1 |
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| 9 | Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings, Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Glass Lid, Silver (33665G) |
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| 10 | Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO- Sous Vide & Proof 6-in-1 Multi-Cooker, with 8.5 Quarts, Slow Cooker, Dutch Oven & More, Glass Lid & Integrated Spoon, Oven Safe Pot to 500°F, Black, MC1010 |
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As our friend Sarah Carter, a food blogger specializing in convenient family meals, says: “The biggest mistake people make with slow cookers is adding dairy too early. Cream, milk, and cheese can curdle or separate over a long cooking time. Always add them in the last 30 minutes for a perfectly smooth, creamy finish.”
How Long Do You Cook Chicken in a Crockpot?
This is one of the most common questions I get! The exact time depends on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts and your specific Crockpot model. A good rule of thumb is 4-6 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). However, the beauty of the Crockpot is that the chicken will become even more tender if you let it cook for the full time on low.
Serving, Storing, and Reheating
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken is incredibly versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this gluten-free delight:
- Over a bed of quinoa or brown rice.
- With gluten-free pasta or gnocchi.
- Alongside steamed green beans or roasted asparagus.
- For a low-carb option, serve it over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Storing Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get even better the next day!
Reheating: You can gently reheat the chicken and sauce in a saucepan on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some questions you might have about this and other gluten free crock pot recipes.
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Technically, you can, but it’s not recommended for food safety reasons. The Crockpot heats up too slowly, potentially allowing the chicken to stay in the “danger zone” (40°F-140°F) for too long, where bacteria can grow. It’s always best to thaw your chicken completely first.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! To make it dairy-free, simply substitute the heavy cream with a can of full-fat coconut milk (the kind in a can, not a carton) and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for that cheesy, umami flavor.
My spinach made the sauce watery. What did I do wrong?
You didn’t do anything wrong! Fresh spinach releases a lot of water as it wilts. If you find your sauce is too thin, use the cornstarch slurry trick mentioned in the tips section. It will thicken it right up.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, and they are a fantastic choice for the Crockpot! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are more forgiving and less likely to dry out. The cooking time will be very similar.
How do I stop my chicken from getting shredded?
If you prefer whole chicken breasts instead of shredded, just be gentle when stirring in the cream and spinach at the end. After 4-6 hours on low, the chicken will be very tender, so a light touch is all you need.
Your New Go-To Dinner
And there you have it—a restaurant-quality meal made right in your slow cooker. This Creamy Tuscan Chicken proves that gluten free crock pot recipes can be elegant, packed with flavor, and almost effortless. It’s a perfect meal for a busy weeknight, a cozy Sunday dinner, or even for entertaining guests.
Give this recipe a try, and let me know how it turns out in the comments below. I love hearing about your kitchen adventures! What are some of your favorite things to make in the Crockpot?