Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

Serves 4 in about 4 hours. A slow cooker recipe built around sun tomatoes and baby spinach.

Ingredients

• 7-ounce jar sun dried tomatoes, sliced (drained, and some oil reserved)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 chicken breasts, (or 6 thighs) boneless/skinless
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more for spicy)
• 15-ounce jar alfredo sauce (with roasted garlic)
• ¾ cup parmesan cheese (more for garnish)
• 2-3 cups fresh baby spinach

Method

1. Drain the sun dried tomatoes and keep it nearby (also reserve some of the oil). Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and have everything ready to go.
2. Warm a skillet on med-high heat and add the butter and about 2 Tablespoons of the sun-dried tomato oil from the jar. Stir in the chicken breasts and brown both sides. Lift out the chicken and place into the slow cooker.
3. Tip in the onions to the skillet and cook until just turning translucent. Use a little more of the sun-dried tomato oil, if needed.
4. Optional: Add the garlic and sun dried tomatoes to the onions and cook for 1 or 2 minutes, while stirring now and then (If you don't want to sauté them, just add to the slow cooker).
5. Turn off the heat and add onion/sun dried tomato mixture to the slow cooker, over the chicken. Scatter in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
6. Tip in the Alfredo sauce over the chicken.
7. Put a lid on and cook on Low for 3-4 hours or High for 2-3 hours (until internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F). Actual time will depend on the thickness of your chicken pieces. Don't let it overcook or the meat will be dry.
8. When cook time is finished, open lid and remove the chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Then stir in Parmesan and the spinach and close the lid. Leave it to cook for a few minutes in the residual heat, until Parmesan is melted and spinach is wilted/softened.
9. Plate a piece of the chicken with some of the sauce over pasta, rice, cauliflower rice, or potatoes.

More slow cooker ideas are in the slow cooker collection.