Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Crockpot Dinner Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For the most flavorful sauce, use a good-quality condensed cream of chicken soup. If you want a lighter version, you can use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat soup, but the sauce may be slightly less rich.

You can also add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder to the sauce for extra depth, though it's not necessary.

To make the dish even more substantial, you can add cooked bacon or sautéed mushrooms along with the chicken.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will help the sauce cling to the noodles even better.

Variations

• Add Bacon: Cook 4 slices of bacon until crisp, crumble, and stir into the sauce just before serving. The smoky flavor pairs beautifully with the creamy chicken and spinach.
• Use Thighs: Substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs for the breasts. They are more forgiving and stay extra moist. Shred them the same way.
• Spicy Kick: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture for a subtle heat that contrasts with the creamy richness.
• Extra Veggies: Add a cup of sliced mushrooms or a chopped bell pepper along with the spinach and artichokes for more vegetables and texture.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot and bubbly. Add a little chicken broth or milk if the sauce is too thick.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools, but that's fine. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it up.

You can assemble the entire dish in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover, and refrigerate.

In the morning, simply place the insert into the slow cooker and cook as directed. You may need to add 30 minutes to the cooking time since the ingredients start cold.

Serving ideas

Serve the creamy spinach artichoke chicken over a bed of warm buttered egg noodles, as shown in the video. The noodles are the perfect vehicle for the rich sauce.

You can also serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or even polenta. A side salad with a light vinaigrette would brighten up the meal.

For a low-carb option, serve the chicken over cauliflower rice or alongside steamed vegetables. The dish is quite filling on its own, so you might not need much else. Garnish with a little extra grated Parmesan and cracked black pepper at the table.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Crockpot Dinner

Prep 10 minCook 4 hTotal 4 h 10 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 6 oz fresh baby spinach
• 14 oz canned artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 12 oz buttered twisted egg noodles, cooked

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer. Scatter the fresh baby spinach and quartered artichoke hearts over the chicken. Spoon the condensed cream of chicken soup over the top, spreading it slightly to cover the ingredients.
2. Place the softened cream cheese in chunks on top of the soup. Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano over the cream cheese. Do not stir; the ingredients will meld as they cook.
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. The spinach will wilt and the sauce will become bubbly.
4. Remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir everything together until the sauce is smooth and the spinach is fully incorporated.
5. Spoon the creamy chicken mixture over warm buttered twisted egg noodles on plates or a platter. Serve immediately while hot.

Contains: gluten, milk, eggs

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

480

Protein

42 g

Carbohydrates

32 g

Fat

20 g

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.