Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Stew (Printable)
Tender chicken, cannellini beans, and vegetables slow-cooked in Italian herbs and tomatoes for rustic comfort.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into large chunks
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large yellow onion diced
03 - 2 medium carrots sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper diced
07 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
10 - 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
→ Spices & Herbs
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
13 - 1 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1 tsp salt
16 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
17 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
→ Oils & Sauces
18 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Finishing Touches
19 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
20 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving optional
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper; sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Transfer sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Add chicken thighs, diced tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
03 - Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
04 - Stir in cannellini beans and spinach. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until spinach is wilted and beans are heated through.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and an optional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The slow cooker does almost all the work while your home fills with incredible smells
- Leftovers taste even better after the flavors have time to really become friends
- It freezes beautifully so you can stash portions for desperate busy nights
02 -
- Sautéing vegetables first is not optional it develops flavors that slow cooking alone cannot achieve
- Spinach loses its appeal if overcooked so really just 10 minutes is enough
- The stew thickens as it sits so do not worry if it seems slightly liquid when fresh
03 -
- Browning chicken in the skillet before adding to the slow cooker adds incredible depth
- A splash of red wine during step two transforms the whole dish into something restaurant worthy