Discover the secret to creating delicious and healthy low-fat slow cooker meals without sacrificing flavor. This Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken recipe is packed with tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a light, creamy sauce. It’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dinner for busy weeknights, proving that healthy eating can be both easy and incredibly satisfying.
We’re moving beyond the myth that slow-cooked food has to be heavy. With a few smart techniques, your crockpot can be your best tool for creating lean, nutrient-dense dishes the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love These Low-Fat Slow Cooker Meals
This recipe isn’t just another meal; it’s a solution for anyone seeking healthy, convenient dinner options. It’s designed to be simple, flavorful, and perfectly aligned with a healthier lifestyle.
Effortless Preparation: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can have everything in the slow cooker. Let it work its magic while you go about your day.
Packed with Flavor: A rich blend of garlic, Italian herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a savory sauce that’s surprisingly light and creamy without the extra fat.
Healthy and Nourishing: Lean chicken breast provides high-quality protein, while spinach adds essential vitamins. It’s a well-rounded meal you can feel good about serving. For more ideas, check out our collection of healthy crockpot dinners.
Explore a world of flavor with these easy and healthy low-fat slow cooker dinners.
The Secret to Flavorful Low-Fat Slow Cooker Meals
The key to incredible low-fat slow cooker meals is building layers of flavor without relying on heavy fats. We achieve this by using aromatic ingredients and smart cooking techniques.
First, use a generous amount of garlic and herbs to create a robust base. Second, sun-dried tomatoes provide a concentrated burst of sweet and savory flavor. Finally, a mix of chicken broth and a small amount of light cream cheese (or Greek yogurt) creates a creamy texture without the high calorie count of heavy cream.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients you can find at any grocery store. The focus is on fresh, whole foods to create a truly healthy meal.
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the perfect lean protein base.
Aromatics: Onion and garlic form the savory foundation of our sauce.
Herbs: A simple Italian seasoning blend adds a classic, fragrant touch.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Choose oil-packed tomatoes and drain them well for the best flavor.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: This provides moisture and flavor without adding excess salt.
Light Cream Cheese: Our secret for a creamy sauce without the heavy cream.
Fresh Spinach: Wilted in at the end for a boost of color and nutrients.
How to Make Healthy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
Follow these simple steps for a perfect, tender, and flavorful meal. This is a true dump-and-go recipe that delivers gourmet results.
Prepare the Base: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Add Aromatics: Scatter the diced onion, minced garlic, and drained sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken.
Pour the Liquid: Pour the low-sodium chicken broth over all the ingredients.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Stir the softened light cream cheese into the liquid in the crockpot until smooth.
Combine and Wilt: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt for about 5-10 minutes. Serve warm.
This creamy and healthy Tuscan chicken is the perfect example of a satisfying low-fat slow cooker meal.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
A few simple tricks can elevate your low-fat slow cooker meals from good to great. Here are my top recommendations for this Tuscan Chicken.
Don’t Overcook: Chicken breast is lean and can dry out if cooked for too long. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the time range.
Use Fresh Garlic: While garlic powder works in a pinch, fresh minced garlic provides a much richer, more aromatic flavor.
Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can make a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stirring it into the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to customize it with other healthy ingredients to suit your taste.
Add Veggies: Sliced mushrooms, red bell peppers, or artichoke hearts can be added at the beginning of the cooking time for extra nutrients and flavor.
Swap the Protein: This recipe also works beautifully with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even lean pork loin.
Make it Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version, substitute the light cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative or a swirl of full-fat coconut milk at the end.
This versatile dish pairs well with a variety of healthy sides. To keep the meal low-fat and balanced, consider serving it over whole-wheat pasta, quinoa, or brown rice. For a lower-carb option, it’s fantastic with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a simple side of steamed green beans. If you’re a pasta lover, try our One-Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta for another easy weeknight meal.
A slow cooker meal is considered low-fat when it’s prepared with lean proteins like chicken breast or turkey, uses minimal oil, and gets its creaminess from healthier alternatives like light cream cheese or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream or butter.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to put raw chicken in a slow cooker. The slow, steady cooking process ensures the chicken cooks through completely, reaching a safe internal temperature while becoming incredibly tender.
To prevent dry chicken, use chicken thighs or ensure chicken breasts are cooked on the ‘low’ setting and not for longer than the recommended time. Also, make sure there is enough liquid (like broth) in the slow cooker to keep the environment moist.
You can easily thicken the sauce by making a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Boost flavor by adding plenty of fresh aromatics like garlic and onions, using a variety of herbs and spices (like Italian seasoning, paprika, or cumin), and incorporating flavorful liquids like low-sodium broth or a splash of white wine vinegar.
More Healthy Slow Cooker Dinners
Your slow cooker is the key to countless easy and healthy meals. Explore some of our other favorite recipes to keep your dinner rotation fresh and exciting, like this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice.
Enjoy Your Healthy Creation!
We hope you love this guide to Low-Fat Slow Cooker Meals and the delicious Tuscan Chicken recipe. It’s proof that you don’t have to choose between healthy, convenient, and flavorful. We’d love to hear how you enjoyed it! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation and tag us on Pinterest!
Eating healthy has never been easier or more delicious with these simple low-fat slow cooker meals!
Low-Fat Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Recipe
FL Recipes
Low-Fat Slow Cooker Meals: Healthy Tuscan Chicken
This Low-Fat Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken is a healthy, flavorful, and easy crockpot meal. Tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a light, creamy sauce make the perfect guilt-free dinner for any night of the week.
2lbsboneless, skinless chicken breastsAbout 4 medium chicken breasts
1tspItalian seasoning
1/2tspsaltOr to taste
1/4tspblack pepper
1medium onionfinely chopped
4clovesgarlicminced
1/2cupsun-dried tomatoes in oildrained and chopped
1cuplow-sodium chicken broth
4ozlight cream cheesesoftened
5ozfresh spinach
Equipment
1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart slow cooker is recommended.
1 Cutting Board
1 Knife
Method
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Scatter the chopped onion, minced garlic, and drained sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken.
Pour the low-sodium chicken broth over all the ingredients.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Stir the softened light cream cheese into the hot liquid until it melts and the sauce is smooth. Use two forks to shred the chicken.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the fresh spinach and stir to combine. Cover and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 295kcalProtein: 43gFat: 9gFiber: 2g
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Greek Yogurt Option: For an even lighter version, you can substitute the cream cheese with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt. Stir it in at the very end with the heat off to prevent curdling.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
