Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Stew (Print)
Tender chicken, white beans, and vegetables simmered with Italian herbs in a rich tomato base for effortless comfort food.
# Ingredient list:
→ 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)
# Directions:
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 the 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 the chicken is tender and cooked through.
04 - Stir in cannellini beans and spinach. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and beans are heated through.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and an optional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The chicken becomes impossibly tender after six hours of slow cooking, practically falling apart at the mere suggestion of a fork
- One pot does absolutely everything from sautéing aromatics to simmering the stew, leaving you with almost zero cleanup
02 -
- Sautéing the vegetables first might seem like extra work but this step develops flavors that slow cooking alone cannot achieve
- The red pepper flakes add subtle warmth but do not make the stew spicy unless you increase the amount
03 -
- A splash of red wine added with the broth creates deeper complexity that mimics traditional Tuscan cooking
- Chicken breast works in a pinch but thighs remain moist and tender throughout the long cooking time