Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Stew (Print version)

Tender chicken, white beans, and vegetables simmered in Italian herbs and tomatoes.

# 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

→ Oils & Sauces

18 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Finishing Touches

19 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
20 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

# 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 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, fully cooked, and flavors have melded together.
04 - Stir in cannellini beans and fresh spinach. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and beans are heated through.
05 - Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot in bowls, garnished generously with chopped fresh parsley and an optional sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its practically effortless but tastes like you spent all day tending a stove
  • The chicken becomes impossibly tender, almost melting into the rich tomato broth
  • Leftovers taste even better after the flavors have overnight to become friends
02 -
  • Browning the vegetables first creates depth of flavor you cannot achieve by dumping everything raw into the slow cooker
  • The spinach really only needs minutes so do not add it too early or you will lose that lovely green pop
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before cutting it into chunks for better searing if you choose to brown it first
  • Low sodium broth gives you control over the final salt level since the tomatoes concentrate as they cook

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