Tender chicken, buttery garlic, effortless comfort
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is the kind of easy healthy recipe that turns simple ingredients into a rich, cozy fall dinner idea. With tender chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, fresh herbs, and a velvety tomato-cream sauce, this dish brings bold Italian-inspired flavor with almost zero effort. The slow cooker handles the work, and by the time you stir in the pasta, Parmesan, and cream, you have a warm, satisfying meal that feels restaurant-worthy yet totally weeknight-friendly.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
Total Time: 3 to 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6
📝 Ingredients
- 8–10 boneless skinless chicken thighs, fat trimmed
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 14 ounces canned artichoke hearts, quartered
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup broth
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 16 ounces penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 12 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Slow cooker
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Pot for cooking pasta
- Serving dish
🥣 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Add the garlic, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, lemon juice, broth, and crushed tomatoes on top.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and infused with flavor.
- Once cooked, add the cooked al dente pasta, grated Parmesan, heavy cream, basil, and parsley.
- Stir well to combine. The chicken will naturally fall apart into tender pieces as you mix everything together.
- Serve warm and garnish with extra basil or Parmesan if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- For extra creaminess, add a splash more heavy cream or an additional handful of Parmesan.
- Use chicken thighs for the juiciest results; they stay tender even after slow cooking.
- Add spinach during the last 10 minutes for extra color and nutrients.
- Store leftovers for up to 4 days; add a bit of broth when reheating to keep it saucy.
📊 Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | ~540 | 38g | 45g | 22g | 4g | 8g |
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta delivers bold Italian-inspired flavor with minimal hands-on cooking. The slow-simmered sauce, tender chicken thighs, fresh herbs, and hearty pasta come together in a warm, comforting dish that feels indulgent yet effortless. Whether you’re feeding family, meal prepping for the week, or craving a cozy dinner, this recipe is sure to become a delicious go-to favorite.

Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8–10 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs, fat trimmed
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 piece yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 14 ounces canned artichoke hearts, quartered
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup broth
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 16 ounces penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 12 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
Instructions
Preparation
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Add the garlic, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, lemon juice, broth, and crushed tomatoes on top.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and infused with flavor.
- Once cooked, add the cooked al dente pasta, grated Parmesan, heavy cream, basil, and parsley.
- Stir well to combine. The chicken will naturally fall apart into tender pieces as you mix everything together.
- Serve warm and garnish with extra basil or Parmesan if desired.
