Italian Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes

This Creamy Italian Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes is simmered in the most incredible creamy sauce of roasted red peppers, spinach and Italian herbs. It’s a dump and go crockpot chicken recipe that’s perfect for days when you don’t feel like cooking but still want a warm and delicious meal to satisfy the whole family. 

Try more of my favorite creamy chicken dinners like Tomato Basil Chicken, Chicken and Rice Soup, or this Instant Pot version of Creamy Italian Chicken.

This creamy Crockpot Italian Chicken is an incredibly flavorful, hearty, and comforting meal of lean chicken breasts and little potatoes in a creamy sauce made with roasted red peppers, finely chopped spinach, and basil pesto. It comes together so easily in the slow cooker!

We’ve got a few weeks left of “fall” and then we’re full on winter mode for the next several months.

I always enjoy the beginning of winter — the first fluffy snowflakes, steaming cups of hot chocolate, the first fires in the fireplace, cozy sweaters, and all that. But once January comes and Christmas is over? I am so over it.

If you love these Italian flavors, check out my Crockpot Tuscan Chicken or Baked Tuscan Chicken Breasts next!

The only thing that keeps me going is hunkering down in the kitchen and whipping up our favourite cozy comfort foods: baking, soups, chili, and easy crockpot meals that can simmer away and fill the house with that incredible scent of a dinner that’s cooking long before the 5:00pm rush.

This creamy Italian Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes is an old favorite and one we make on repeat!

Why we love this Creamy Chicken Recipe:

• Bold Flavor: Full fat ingredients like heavy cream and parmesan mingle with pesto, garlic, and roasted red peppers for an irresistible flavor combo.
• Easy Prep: You can prep all your ingredients ahead of time to make this a dump and go dinner and just take a few minutes to slice your potatoes before throwing them in.
• Make Ahead Meal: Thanks to the slow cooker, you can start this before going to work and come home to an incredible smelling house and delicious dinner.

Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes Ingredients:

• Chicken: I recommend boneless chicken breasts for a lean choice, but you can also use chicken thighs. They should cook in about the same time!
• Potatoes: I used fingerling potatoes for this recipe. They’re naturally creamier and so tiny you don’t need to chop them if you don’t want to! 
• Chicken Broth: I love using homemade chicken stock for the best flavor for soups and sauces. It adds so much savory depth to your final dish! 
• Dairy: I prefer to use heavy cream or evaporated milk, as they’re thick and cook down into a super creamy sauce without curdling.
• Corn Starch: a little goes a long way, and it helps our sauce to cook up nice and thick.
• Pesto: I love this fresh basil pesto recipe, but store bought works just fine!
• Spices: A little salt, garlic, and black pepper help round out the great flavors from the pesto and peppers. You can also use a dry Italian seasoning blend of your choice!
• Roasted Red Peppers: You can use your favorite jarred brand or roast your own ahead of time if you’re feeling fancy! 
• Spinach: Roughly chopped spinach adds color and extra nutrients to this dish. You can use any leafy green you like here.
• Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is the perfect finishing touch. 

How to make Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes

This chicken dinner is quick to prep and easy to make! Here are a few step by step photos to guide you — you can find the detailed recipe down in the recipe card! 

• Start by halving the fingerling potatoes lengthwise. While I could have gotten away without cutting them, I wanted everything to cook at the same rate so I cut them into similar sized pieces. Chop and slice your potatoes into whatever size feels best for you.
• Place the potatoes into the bottom of the crockpot then place chicken on top. 

• Whisk together your sauce ingredients in a large liquid measuring cup or medium bowl. Add the roasted peppers and pour over the chicken and potatoes, then cover.
• Here’s the best part, turn on the crockpot, and walk away! You’ll know its done when the potatoes are fork tender. 

• Before serving, stir in the chopped spinach and grated Parmesan. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking and serve in your favorite bowl. 

Variations and Substitutions

• Dairy Alternative: This recipe uses heavy cream, but that isn’t for everyone! Feel free to swap out for a low-fat option (note that your sauce will not be as rich or thick).
• Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, just double check your ingredients before starting!
• Vegetables: Hearty vegetables like carrots or parsnips could be added in with the potatoes. You could swap kale, collard greens, or another leafy green of your choice in for the spinach.

How to prep this recipe ahead

My number one tip to make slow cooker nights even faster? Prep your meal ahead of time! I love a dump-and-go meal. You can prep all the ingredients together at the beginning of the week and keep them in the fridge or freezer (except the potatoes!) until it’s time to pick one out and pop it into the crockpot.

Trust me, once you start doing this, you’ll never stop. You can get started a little early with this recipe by placing the chicken in the slow cooker and pouring the sauce over the chicken the night before cooking.

Just before turning on the slow cooker, add the potatoes!

How to store Creamy Chicken and Potatoes

Store any leftovers you may have in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

To reheat, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water and microwave individual portions in 30 second intervals. You could also reheat it on the stove top with a little broth.

Tips For Delicious Crockpot Chicken Every Time

• Choose chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs: either will work well. Some people prefer to use chicken thighs in the slow cooker because they don’t dry out as quickly, but as long as you don’t overcook the chicken, breasts will be fantastic as well. 
• Go for Creamer or fingerling potatoes: There’s no washing and no need to chop them, although I halved mine to match the cooking time to my chicken breasts. Bone-in chicken breasts or thighs will have a longer cooking time so I recommend keeping your potatoes whole.
• Know your crockpot! I say this every time, but it needs to be said! It’s kinda like an oven—some cook hotter, and some are cooler. Since we want tender, juicy chicken, you’ll want to keep an eye on it. Remember, the more full your crockpot, the longer it’ll take to cook and if using a large crockpot, you may want to reduce the cooking time. 
• Remember chicken is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Serving suggestions:

This crockpot meal is basically an all-in-one recipe, but you can definitely spruce it up by serving with Air Fryer Broccoli, Instant Pot Brown Rice, and Homemade Dinner Rolls.

More Slow Cooker Recipes To Try

• Easy Taco Soup Recipe — another easy meal with minimal dishes!
• Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin — this sauce is amazing over rice.
• Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe — a family favorite!