Juicy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Recipe: Slow Cooker Magic

Weeknight dinners demand simple, delicious solutions that pack serious flavor without complex techniques.

This mouthwatering slow cooker spinach artichoke chicken recipe delivers comfort and richness in every tender bite.

Creamy, savory ingredients meld together effortlessly while your slow cooker does the heavy lifting.

Busy home cooks adore how minimal effort produces such impressive results.

Tangy artichokes and vibrant spinach create a luxurious sauce that perfectly complements juicy chicken.

The dish comes together with minimal chopping and zero fuss, making it ideal for hectic schedules.

You’ll love how this one-pot meal saves time and satisfies even the pickiest eaters.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 19 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs flavors beautifully and creates the main structure of the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and depth, helping to tenderize chicken while building a rich foundational flavor.
• Spinach: Vibrant green vegetable packed with nutrients that melts seamlessly into the creamy sauce.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds robust, warming undertones to the entire dish.
• Onion: Provides subtle sweetness and complex layering of taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and amplify other ingredients' natural flavors.

• Cream Cheese: Creates silky, luxurious texture that binds sauce together with incredible smoothness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers sharp, salty notes and wonderful golden-brown topping when sprinkled.
• Artichokes: Tender, slightly tangy vegetable that adds unexpected sophistication to the dish.
• Tomatoes: Bright, fresh element that provides color contrast and light acidity to balance rich sauce.

Tools for Preparing Spinach Artichoke Chicken in a Crockpot

• Slow Cooker: 4-quart size essential for this creamy chicken dish.
• Serving Platters: Needed to plate the tender cooked chicken.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring the sauce and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Help add precise amounts of garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for freshly grating extra parmesan if desired.

Instructions for Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Chicken

• Slow Cooker Preparation

Set up your slow cooker and create a comforting base by layering fresh spinach and creating a flavorful liquid foundation with chicken broth.

• Chicken and Seasoning

Nestle chicken breasts into the spinach and season generously with aromatic garlic, onion, salt, and pepper for a delightful flavor profile.

• Cooking Time

Allow the chicken to gently simmer and absorb flavors, cooking on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until tender and perfectly cooked.

• Creamy Transformation

Carefully remove the chicken and transform the cooking liquid into a luxurious sauce by stirring in cream cheese, parmesan, and tender artichoke pieces until smooth and velvety.

• Final Touch

Plate the chicken and generously drizzle the creamy sauce over the top. For an extra burst of freshness, sprinkle with diced tomatoes and a handful of additional parmesan cheese to elevate the dish.

Tips for Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken

• Swap chicken breasts with thighs for a richer, more tender meat that absorbs flavors beautifully.
• Replace spinach with kale or Swiss chard for a different nutritional profile and earthy taste.
• Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a subtle heat that complements the creamy sauce.
• Use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the sauce and keep the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Freeze assembled ingredients in a freezer bag for an instant meal on busy weeknights.

How to Serve Spinach Artichoke Chicken

• Plate Over Creamy Pasta: Shred the tender chicken and mix it with the rich, cheesy sauce, then serve atop al dente linguine or fettuccine for a luxurious meal.
• Transform into Sandwich Delight: Slice the chicken and pile it onto crusty ciabatta bread, adding extra artichoke pieces for a gourmet lunch option.
• Create Zesty Salad Topper: Chop the chicken and sprinkle over a bed of mixed greens, drizzling the creamy spinach artichoke sauce as a unique dressing.
• Stuff into Warm Pita Pockets: Fill soft pita bread with shredded chicken, sauce, and fresh diced tomatoes for a quick and satisfying handheld meal.

Planning Meals Around Spinach Artichoke Chicken

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the sauce separate to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze for Later: Package individual portions in freezer-safe containers, which stay delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated chicken gently in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop ingredients and assemble slow cooker ingredients the night before, storing in the refrigerator to streamline morning cooking and save precious time.

Hearty Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savory slow cooker spinach artichoke chicken delivers comfort on a plate with creamy, cheesy goodness. Rich Mediterranean-inspired flavors merge seamlessly, promising satisfying warmth for you at dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken breast filets
• 14 oz (396 g) artichoke hearts, preservative-free or 6–8 artichokes from a jar, drained and chopped
• 8 cups spinach, loosely packed, chopped
• 1 cup grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, chopped
• 4 tbsps cream cheese, reduced-fat but not fat-free
• 4 tbsps parmesan cheese, shredded
• ¼ sweet onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, fresh, chopped
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Layer chicken broth, boneless chicken breasts, and fresh spinach leaves in a 4-quart slow cooker, creating a uniform foundation for the dish.
2. Seasoning: Distribute minced garlic, diced onions, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper evenly across the chicken and spinach mixture to infuse deep, robust flavors.
3. Cooking Process: Cover and set slow cooker to low (6-8 hours) or high (4-6 hours) setting, allowing ingredients to meld and chicken to become supremely tender and succulent.
4. Sauce Creation: Once cooking cycle concludes, gently remove chicken breasts. Incorporate softened cream cheese, grated parmesan, and chopped artichoke hearts directly into the cooking liquid, whisking until a luxuriously smooth and creamy sauce develops.
5. Serving: Transfer chicken to serving platters, lavishly drench with the velvety sauce, and optionally embellish with diced fresh tomatoes and an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a visually stunning and flavor-packed presentation.

Notes

• Prevent Chicken Dryness: Cook on low setting for maximum tenderness and moisture retention, avoiding overcooking which can lead to tough meat.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Allow cream cheese to soften before adding to ensure smooth, lump-free sauce without separation.
• Artichoke Heart Selection: Choose marinated or canned artichoke hearts for enhanced flavor and easier preparation, draining excess liquid before adding.
• Serving Suggestion: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices and maintain optimal texture and succulence.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg