Craving a comforting, hearty meal that won’t derail your low-carb goals or keep you tied to the kitchen all evening? This slow cooker chicken and spinach stew is exactly what you need. It’s packed with flavor, incredibly creamy, and requires minimal effort, making it a perfect fit for even the busiest weeknights.

Slow Cooker Chicken & Spinach Stew - Easy Low Carb Dinner 16

Imagine coming home to the savory aroma of a delicious dinner, ready to be dished up. This recipe delivers just that – a wholesome, satisfying stew that’s both easy on your schedule and your carb count. Let’s dive into how you can create this family-friendly favorite.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Questions People Always Ask Before Making

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This slow cooker chicken and spinach stew is a true weeknight hero, designed for anyone who wants a delicious, home-cooked meal without the fuss. It’s perfect for busy parents, individuals looking for simple low-carb options, or anyone who appreciates the magic of a set-it-and-forget-it dinner. The slow cooker does almost all the work, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax. You’ll love how the chicken becomes incredibly tender, practically melting in your mouth, while the spinach adds a wonderful freshness and a boost of nutrients. It’s a comforting dish that feels indulgent but is secretly healthy, making it a fantastic choice for a cozy family dinner or a meal prep staple. Serve it on a chilly evening, after a long day, or whenever you need a warm, satisfying hug in a bowl.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this slow cooker stew is straightforward. Most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. Focus on fresh, quality ingredients to get the best flavor in your final dish.

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (5 ounce) bag fresh spinach
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
1/4 cup heavy cream

When selecting your chicken, boneless, skinless thighs tend to stay more moist and tender in the slow cooker, but breasts work perfectly fine if that’s what you prefer or have on hand. For the broth, opt for a low-sodium variety to better control the overall saltiness of the stew. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme will work beautifully. For the cream cheese, full-fat is recommended for the best creamy texture and flavor, but a reduced-fat version can be used if desired.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the greatest advantages of this slow cooker recipe is its minimal hands-on time, making it ideal for busy schedules.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (depending on your slow cooker setting)

The beauty of the slow cooker is its flexibility. You can start it in the morning and have dinner ready by evening, or get it going in the afternoon for a quicker turnaround.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this creamy chicken and spinach stew is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Prepare the Chicken and Aromatics: Begin by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts into uniform 1-inch pieces. This ensures even cooking. Place the chicken pieces into the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic over the chicken.
Add the Liquid and Seasonings: Pour the undrained can of diced tomatoes and the chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle in the dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the ingredients and distribute the seasonings evenly.
Start the Slow Cooking Process: Cover your slow cooker with its lid. Set the slow cooker to cook on the “low” setting for 6-8 hours, or on the “high” setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fork-tender when done.
Incorporate the Spinach: About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, or once the chicken is fully cooked, remove the lid. Add the entire bag of fresh spinach to the slow cooker. It might look like a lot, but it will wilt down significantly. Stir it gently into the hot stew until it has completely wilted and is well combined, which usually takes just a few minutes.
Stir in the Creaminess: Once the spinach has wilted, add the softened cream cheese cubes and the heavy cream to the slow cooker. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has fully melted and is smoothly incorporated into the stew, creating a rich, creamy sauce. This step is crucial for achieving that luxurious texture.
Taste and Serve: Taste the stew and adjust any seasonings if necessary. You might want a little more salt or pepper depending on your preference. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious, low-carb chicken and spinach stew!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This slow cooker chicken and spinach stew is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and dietary needs.

For a little extra kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning. If you enjoy a smoky flavor, a teaspoon of smoked paprika can be a fantastic addition. To boost the vegetable content, you could stir in some chopped bell peppers or sliced mushrooms during the last hour of cooking. For a heartier stew without adding carbs, a handful of riced cauliflower can be stirred in with the spinach.

For Low-Carb Enthusiasts: Enjoy it as is, or serve over a bed of cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or steamed broccoli florets. A side salad with a light vinaigrette also pairs beautifully.
For the Family: While it’s low-carb, kids often love the creamy texture. Serve it with a side of crusty bread for dipping (for those not counting carbs), or over a small portion of brown rice or quinoa.
Optional Toppings: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or a handful of fresh chopped parsley or chives can elevate the flavor and presentation. A few avocado slices on top can also add a lovely creamy contrast.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a simple slow cooker recipe, a few common mistakes can impact the final dish. Knowing them can help you achieve perfect results every time.

Overcooking the Chicken: While slow cookers are forgiving, leaving chicken on high for too long can sometimes make it a bit dry. Stick to the recommended cooking times and check for doneness. Chicken thighs are more resilient to overcooking than breasts.
Adding Dairy Too Early: Cream cheese and heavy cream should always be added towards the end of the cooking process. Adding them at the beginning can cause them to curdle or separate due to prolonged high heat, resulting in a grainy texture instead of a smooth, creamy one.
Not Softening Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before adding it to the hot stew. Cold cream cheese will be harder to melt and incorporate smoothly, leading to lumps.
Forgetting to Stir the Spinach: Spinach wilts quickly, but it needs to be stirred into the hot stew to ensure it fully incorporates and cooks down evenly. Don’t just place it on top and expect it to disappear.
Skipping the Taste Test: Always taste your stew before serving. Different brands of broth and canned tomatoes can vary in their sodium content, so a final adjustment of salt and pepper can make a big difference in balancing the flavors.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This slow cooker chicken and spinach stew is fantastic for meal prep and stores beautifully, making your weeknights even easier.

To store leftovers, allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

For making ahead, you can assemble all the ingredients (except the spinach, cream cheese, and heavy cream) in your slow cooker insert the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. In the morning, just pop the insert into the slow cooker and start cooking. This shaves off valuable prep time on a busy morning.

When reheating, you can warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally. For larger quantities, gently reheat the stew in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until it’s hot. If the stew seems a little thick after refrigeration, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water while reheating to reach your desired consistency. The creamy texture holds up very well upon reheating.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.