Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Slow Cooker Chicken

This creamy sun-dried tomato slow cooker chicken is an easy comfort-food dinner made with tender chicken, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan, and a rich cream sauce.

The slow cooker does most of the work, making this recipe especially useful on busy days when you want something warm and satisfying without standing over the stove. Once the chicken is cooked, heavy cream and Parmesan are stirred into the flavorful cooking juices to create a silky sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables.

If creamy chicken dinners are a favorite in your house, explore YumAndRun’s complete collection of Easy Chicken Recipes. You may also like these Creamy Baked Chicken Breasts for another easy Parmesan chicken dinner. Yum and run

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken

This recipe combines convenience with plenty of flavor.

Mostly hands-off: Once the chicken, tomatoes, broth, garlic, and seasonings are in the slow cooker, there is very little to do until the creamy finishing ingredients are added.

Rich and savory: Sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning create a flavorful sauce without requiring a long list of ingredients.

Flexible: Use boneless chicken breasts or thighs and serve the finished chicken over pasta, potatoes, rice, vegetables, or cauliflower rice.

Great for busy days: The longer cooking method makes it especially convenient when you want dinner waiting later in the day.

Easy to customize: Add spinach, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs depending on what you have available.

For nights when you need dinner much faster, save YumAndRun’s 30-Minute Dinner Recipes collection too. Yum and run

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1½–2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• ½–¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt, or adjust to taste
• ¼–½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter, optional

For the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 2 cups fresh spinach, optional

How to Make Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Slow Cooker Chicken

1. Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly grease the slow-cooker insert with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.

Arrange the chicken in a relatively even layer.

Sprinkle the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the chicken.

Scatter the chopped sun-dried tomatoes around and over the chicken, then pour in the chicken broth.

Add the butter if using.

2. Slow Cook the Chicken

Cover the slow cooker and cook until the chicken is tender and reaches a safe internal temperature.

Your approximate cooking window may be:

• Low: about 5–6 hours
• High: about 3–4 hours

Slow cookers vary considerably, and the size and thickness of the chicken also matter. Instead of relying only on the clock, insert a food thermometer into the thickest portion of the chicken.

USDA guidance recommends cooking poultry to 165°F (73.9°C). Food Safety and Inspection Service

For more detailed poultry safety information, see the USDA Chicken From Farm to Table guide.

Can You Put Frozen Chicken in a Slow Cooker?

For food safety, thaw the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker.

USDA guidance specifically advises against cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker because the meat may spend too long warming through before reaching a safe temperature. Food Safety and Inspection Service

Thaw frozen chicken safely in the refrigerator before preparing this recipe.

3. Make the Creamy Sauce

Once the chicken has reached 165°F, temporarily transfer it to a clean plate.

Stir the heavy cream into the liquid remaining in the slow cooker.

Add the freshly grated Parmesan and mix until it begins melting into the sauce.

Because dairy can behave differently during very long slow-cooker cooking, adding the cream and Parmesan toward the end helps preserve a smoother texture.

4. Thicken the Sauce if Needed

If you prefer a thicker sauce, combine:

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons cold water

Mix until smooth, then stir the slurry into the sauce.

Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for another 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.

5. Add the Spinach

If using spinach, stir it into the hot sauce during the final few minutes.

It only needs enough time to wilt.

This adds color and vegetables without overpowering the sun-dried tomato and Parmesan flavors.

6. Return the Chicken to the Sauce

Place the cooked chicken back into the slow cooker.

Spoon the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce over each piece and let everything warm together briefly.

Finish with freshly cracked black pepper, extra Parmesan, basil, or parsley before serving.

Chicken Breasts vs. Chicken Thighs

Both work, but they produce slightly different results.

Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts are leaner and have a mild flavor that lets the creamy sauce stand out.

Because they contain less fat, avoid cooking them longer than necessary once they reach the appropriate temperature.

Chicken Thighs

Boneless chicken thighs are richer and tend to remain moist during longer cooking.

They are a particularly good choice if you prefer a softer, more succulent texture.

Regardless of which cut you choose, USDA guidance recommends a minimum internal temperature of 165°F for poultry. Food Safety and Inspection Service

Why Sun-Dried Tomatoes Work So Well Here

Sun-dried tomatoes provide concentrated tomato flavor without adding large amounts of liquid.

Their tangy, slightly sweet flavor helps balance the richness of the cream and Parmesan.

If your sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain them before adding them to the slow cooker.

For even more flavor, you can use a very small amount of the tomato-infused oil in place of the optional butter.

How to Make the Sauce Extra Creamy

Freshly grated Parmesan tends to incorporate more smoothly than some packaged pre-shredded varieties.

Add the cheese gradually and stir it into the warm cream mixture.

If the sauce is still too thin, use the cornstarch slurry rather than adding excessive cheese.

If it becomes too thick, stir in a small splash of chicken broth or cream.

What to Serve With Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

This creamy chicken works especially well with something that can absorb the sauce.

Try:

• Penne
• Fettuccine
• Spaghetti
• Gnocchi
• Mashed potatoes
• White rice
• Brown rice
• Couscous
• Crusty bread
• Cauliflower rice

For vegetables, serve it with:

• Broccoli
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• A simple green salad

If you like chicken-and-potato combinations, YumAndRun’s Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes concept also fits this type of comforting weeknight cooking. For more simple meals with streamlined cleanup, browse the One-Pan Dinner Recipes collection. Yum and run

Easy Recipe Variations

Creamy Spinach Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

Add two cups of baby spinach during the final 5–10 minutes.

Mushroom Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

Sauté sliced mushrooms separately and stir them into the sauce near the end.

Spicy Creamy Chicken

Add red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne.

Garlic-Parmesan Version

Increase the garlic slightly and finish with additional Parmesan.

Herb Chicken

Add fresh basil or parsley immediately before serving for freshness.

Can You Make It With Half-and-Half?

Yes, but the finished sauce will generally be lighter and somewhat thinner than one made with heavy cream.

If using half-and-half, you may want to use a small cornstarch slurry to achieve a thicker consistency.

Avoid adding the dairy at the beginning of the long cooking period. Stir it in near the end instead.

How to Store Leftover Slow Cooker Chicken

Let leftovers cool slightly, then transfer them to shallow airtight containers and refrigerate promptly.

USDA guidance says cooked chicken can generally be refrigerated for 3–4 days. Food Safety and Inspection Service

You can read more in the USDA Leftovers and Food Safety guide.

Can You Freeze Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken?

Yes, although cream sauces can change texture after freezing and thawing.

For the best quality, freeze portions in airtight freezer-safe containers.

USDA says cooked chicken can be frozen safely and recommends using ready-prepared chicken within about four months for best quality. Food Safety and Inspection Service

The sauce may appear slightly separated after thawing. Reheat gently and stir well; a splash of broth or cream can help restore the texture.

How to Reheat It

Reheat individual portions gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of broth or cream.

USDA recommends reheating leftovers to 165°F. Food Safety and Inspection Service

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Chicken Dinners

If this recipe becomes part of your dinner rotation, save these YumAndRun collections too.

Easy Chicken Recipes: 14 Flavorful Dinner Ideas includes baked chicken, Chicken Alfredo, wraps, bowls, salads, Mediterranean chicken, and more. Yum and run

For something creamy but oven-baked rather than slow-cooked, try Creamy Baked Chicken Breasts. Yum and run

And when you need something faster than a slow-cooker dinner, explore 20 Quick 30-Minute Dinner Recipes. Yum and run

Final Thoughts

This creamy sun-dried tomato slow cooker chicken is the kind of dinner that makes a busy day easier: tender chicken, concentrated tomato flavor, garlic, Parmesan, and a rich creamy sauce with very little active cooking.

For the best result, thaw the chicken completely before slow cooking, avoid relying only on cooking time, and check the thickest part with a thermometer. Poultry should reach 165°F before serving. Food Safety and Inspection Service

Serve it over pasta for a comforting dinner, spoon it over mashed potatoes, pair it with rice, or keep things lighter with vegetables.

Warm, creamy, savory, tangy, and easy exactly what a slow-cooker dinner should be.