Dinner · Part 1 of 3: Ingredients
Creamy Mozzarella Spinach Artichoke Chicken Crockpot

- Prep
- Cook
- Total
- Serves
- 6
This is the set-it-and-forget-it dinner you'll turn to again and again. Chicken breasts, spinach, artichokes, and a rich, cheesy sauce come together in the slow cooker with almost no effort.
Just layer the ingredients in the morning, and by dinner you have a creamy, satisfying meal that tastes like it took hours of attention. Serve it over pasta or with crusty bread to soak up every last bit of sauce.
This Crockpot recipe is all about simplicity and big flavor. You start with chicken breasts, then pile on fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, cream of chicken soup, mozzarella, and garlic herb butter.
After a few hours on low, the chicken becomes tender and shreds easily, while the spinach wilts into the sauce and the cheese melts into a creamy, garlicky dream. It's a complete meal in one pot—just add pasta or your favorite grain.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 14 oz canned artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp garlic herb butter
for serving
- 12 oz penne pasta, cooked al dente
Why this recipe works
The slow cooker does all the work here. By cooking the chicken low and slow, it stays incredibly moist and tender, shredding into perfect bite-size pieces.
The cream of chicken soup acts as a built-in sauce base, while the mozzarella melts into a silky, stretchy finish. The spinach and artichokes soften and meld into the sauce, giving every spoonful a rich, savory depth.
This method is forgiving and foolproof. You don't need to brown the chicken or pre-cook anything—just layer the ingredients and walk away. The low heat gently coaxes out the flavors without drying out the meat. The result is a cohesive, saucy dish that feels indulgent but comes together with minimal effort.
Notes and substitutions
Use boneless skinless chicken breasts for the best texture, but thighs work too—just add about 30 minutes to the cooking time.
Canned artichoke hearts are convenient and hold up well; if using frozen, thaw and squeeze them dry first. Fresh baby spinach wilts beautifully, but frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed) can be substituted in a pinch.
The cream of chicken soup is key to the sauce's body. For a lighter option, use a reduced-fat version. Garlic herb butter adds a punch of flavor; if you don't have it, mix softened butter with minced garlic and dried herbs. Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes—or with crusty bread for dipping.
- chicken breasts: chicken thighs (boneless, skinless) can be used; cooking time may be slightly longer.
- cream of chicken soup: cream of mushroom soup works for a different flavor.
- garlic herb butter: 2 tablespoons butter mixed with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs.
- fresh spinach: frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) can be used; reduce to 10 oz.
Equipment
- 7-quart slow cooker
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving spoon
- Large pot for pasta
Up next · Part 2 of 3
6 steps · 4 h of cooking · what to look for at each stage
Step-by-step instructions (Part 2)