Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Chicken

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This easy Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Chicken recipe transforms tender chopped chicken, frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, sour cream, simple seasonings, and a blend of Italian cheeses into the ultimate low-carb-high fat, keto-friendly family dinner!

bowl of spinach artichoke chicken with fresh parmesan and basil on top with tomatoes and basil in the background

If you love spinach and artichoke dip, then you’re going to ADORE this slow cooker spinach and artichoke chicken! Made with chopped boneless chicken, frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, and a few other simple ingredients, this dish captures all that classic party dip goodness in a hearty, satisfying chicken dinner.

Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a convenient dump-and-go dinner solution or someone seeking to diversify their low-carb, keto diet dinner routine, this Crockpot artichoke spinach chicken has you covered!

Why you’ll love it

Before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room: this spinach artichoke chicken dish isn’t winning any beauty contests. Frankly, it’s just not that photogenic. However, I PROMISE this creamy concoction is absolutely delicious! It takes only a few minutes to prep, and then your slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day –my kind of meal! 🙌

For stress-free weeknight dinners, I’ll chop the chicken and thaw the frozen spinach the night before. That way, I can literally dump everything in my CrockPot in the morning and then return to a downright delicious low-carb, high-fat ketogenic-approved culinary masterpiece!

Whether serving it over low-carb options like cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower or serving it over pasta or rice, this creamy spinach artichoke chicken will become a family favorite. Talk about a winner-winner chicken dinner!

If you’re a fellow fan of classic spinach artichoke dip, you won’t want to miss out on my Spinach and Artichoke Pinwheels while you’re here. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Chicken breasts. I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work as a juicier and more cost-effective option.
Frozen spinach. Adds a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals while complementing the creaminess. Thaw the spinach and drain out excess liquid before using it.
Frozen artichoke hearts. Add a unique, slightly tangy dimension that pairs beautifully with the richness.
Garlic cloves. Add a robust, aromatic flavor. Fresh is always best, but jarred minced garlic can work in a pinch.
Cream cheese. Provides a rich, creamy texture, making the dish indulgent and satisfying. Cut the cream cheese into cubes to ensure it melts evenly.
Sour cream. Adds extra creaminess and tang! Substitute full-fat plain Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
Italian cheese blend. Grab a bag of pre-shredded Italian cheese blend to melt into the dish. Freshly shredded mozzarella or Parmesan also works.
Chicken broth. The flavorful liquid that keeps the dish moist and creamy. You can also use a good quality chicken stock.
Seasonings. Dried basil, dried tarragon, salt, and pepper will do the trick! Or, try swapping the dried herbs for ½ tablespoon of Italian or Greek seasoning. I love to use fresh basil from my herb garden in the summer months.

How to make slow cooker spinach artichoke chicken

Step 1: Prepare your slow cooker. Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with olive oil cooking spray.

Step 2: Add ingredients. Add the chicken, thawed spinach, artichokes, minced garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheese, broth, and seasoning to the slow cooker. Stir well.

ingredients for making chicken with spinach and artichokes in a slow cooker ready to cook

Step 3: Slow cook. Set your slow cooker to low. Cook for 30 minutes, then stir the ingredients thoroughly. Continue cooking on low for another 4 hours.

creamy chicken with frozen spinach and artichokes cooked in a slow cooker

Step 4: Switch to warm. Once the cooking time is up, switch your slow cooker to the ‘warm’ setting until you’re ready to serve.

a bowl of creamy chicken with parm on top with a napkin and fork

Recipe tips and FAQs

Thaw/drain your spinach. You can either thaw the spinach in the fridge overnight or quickly thaw it in the microwave in 20-second intervals. Then, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and wring out as much liquid as possible. This helps prevent a loose, watery sauce.
Brown the chicken first. Consider browning the chunks of chicken in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This extra step creates a delicious crust on the chicken and enhances the dish’s overall deliciousness!
Deglaze with wine. After browning the chicken, you can add even more richness to the dish by deglazing the skillet with a splash of white wine and scraping up any browned bits.
Stir midway. Give the ingredients a good stir about halfway through the slow cooking time to ensure even flavor and cheesy, gooey goodness.
Season to taste. After cooking, don’t be shy with extra seasonings! You can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away. Give the spinach artichoke chicken a taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and dried herbs as needed.

Variations and substitutions

Fresh spinach – You can use fresh instead of frozen, but know it cooks down quite a bit. For this dish, lightly sauté 5-6 cups of raw spinach until wilted, then squeeze out any excess liquid before adding it to the slow cooker.
Canned or jarred artichoke hearts – You can use canned or jarred hearts instead of frozen. Just drain and rinse them well before adding them to the slow cooker. Use marinated artichoke hearts for added zing.
Add veggies – Savory veggies like sliced mushrooms, shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and red bell peppers pair beautifully with the creamy chicken, spinach, and artichokes. Sauté them briefly before adding them to the slow cooker.
Finishing touches – To brighten the dish and add a pop of color, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the finished dish just before serving and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Top with crispy bacon – Sprinkle crispy cooked bacon bits over the dish just before serving for a smoky, crunchy component that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.

FAQ

How many carbs are in spinach artichoke chicken?

This recipe yields approximately six servings, each containing approximately 10 grams of carbohydrates. Most of the carbs come from the spinach and artichokes, making it a carb-conscious keto-friendly choice.

Can I make this dish in the Instant Pot?

I haven’t tested an Instant Pot version, but if you want to give it a shot, here’s what I recommend doing: First, use the “Sauté” function to brown the chicken, then add the remaining ingredients and “Pressure Cook” on high for about 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally before serving.

Serving suggestions

For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower is your best bet. They soak up the creamy sauce beautifully, keeping the meal light and keto-friendly. Spaghetti squash or zoodles would be great smothered in the creamy sauce if you’re in the mood for pasta.

Craving greens? Pair it with a crisp green salad, grilled asparagus, or roasted broccoli. If carbs aren’t a concern, try angel hair pasta, gnocchi, risotto, brown rice, or polenta.

Storing & reheating

Storing: Allow leftover spinach artichoke chicken to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Freezing: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and keep them frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating: Warm leftovers over medium-low heat in a skillet, stirring occasionally, until the dish is heated through and creamy. Add a splash of chicken broth, white wine, or water if the sauce seems dry.

More slow cooker chicken dinner recipes

If you love this creamy spinach and artichoke chicken slow cooker recipe, I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star 🌟 rating in the recipe card below. I love reading your comments and feedback!

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a served bowl of creamy artichoke spinach chicken with a bowl of it in the background

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Amee Livingston

Hi, I'm Amee and I'm completely obsessed with all things fitness, recipe makeovers, and creating tasty, time-saving, recipes. Born and raised in South Carolina, I have a deep love for southern food culture. I am a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Cancer Exercise Specialist, recipe developer, and freelance content creator. I believe that anyone can be an amazing home cook, and there's nothing better than family time around the table!