Slow-Cooked Tuscan Chicken

Featured in: Slow Cozy Dinners

This slow-cooked Tuscan dish blends tender chicken thighs with aromatic Italian herbs, cannellini beans, and fresh vegetables. Vegetables are sautéed first, then combined with the chicken, diced tomatoes, beans, and broth to simmer slowly, allowing flavors to meld deeply. Near the end, leafy greens are stirred in, adding vibrant freshness and nutrition. This hearty stew offers rich, comforting flavors ideal for a relaxed dinner served with crusty bread or creamy polenta.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:30:00 GMT
Hearty Slow-Cooked Tuscan Chicken Stew with tender chicken and vibrant vegetables. Save to Pinterest
Hearty Slow-Cooked Tuscan Chicken Stew with tender chicken and vibrant vegetables. | savoringli.com

A hearty, rustic Italian stew featuring tender chicken, cannellini beans, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, slow-cooked for rich, comforting flavor.

This stew has been a family favorite for cozy dinners and always impresses guests with its depth of flavor.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs: 2 lbs (900 g), cut into large chunks
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Yellow onion: 1 large, chopped
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Carrots: 3 medium, sliced
  • Celery stalks: 2, sliced
  • Red bell pepper: 1, diced
  • Diced tomatoes: 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can
  • Cannellini beans: 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can, drained and rinsed
  • Low-sodium chicken broth: 2 cups (480 ml)
  • Kale or spinach: 2 cups (60 g), chopped
  • Dried Italian herbs: 2 teaspoons (oregano, basil, thyme)
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper: ½ teaspoon freshly ground
  • Crushed red pepper flakes: ¼ teaspoon (optional)
  • Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 2:
Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a slow cooker (or a large Dutch oven if using stovetop).
Step 3:
Add the chicken, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, chicken broth, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the cooker. Stir to combine.
Step 4:
For slow cooker: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through. For stovetop: Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for about 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 5:
About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the chopped kale or spinach. Cook until the greens are wilted and tender.
Step 6:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 7:
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
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| savoringli.com

This stew always brings our family together around the table, enjoying warm, comforting meals and sharing stories.

Required Tools

Large skillet, Slow cooker or Dutch oven, Chefs knife & cutting board, Wooden spoon

Allergen Information

Contains none of the major allergens. Check chicken broth and canned beans for gluten or additives if sensitive.

Nutritional Information

Calories 335 per serving, Total Fat 10 g, Carbohydrates 27 g, Protein 34 g

Aromatic Slow-Cooked Tuscan Chicken Stew simmering with cannellini beans and fresh herbs. Save to Pinterest
Aromatic Slow-Cooked Tuscan Chicken Stew simmering with cannellini beans and fresh herbs. | savoringli.com

This Slow-Cooked Tuscan Chicken Stew is deliciously simple and perfect for any occasion.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of chicken works best?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are preferred for their tenderness and moisture during slow cooking.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?

Yes, fresh herbs can be used but reduce the quantity to avoid overpowering the dish.

Is it necessary to sauté vegetables before slow cooking?

Sautéing softens and deepens the flavor of the vegetables, enhancing the overall taste and aroma.

Can this dish be made on the stovetop?

Yes, it can be simmered gently on the stovetop for about 2 hours until the chicken is tender.

What greens can I use in this dish?

Kale or spinach are ideal as they wilt nicely and complement the stew’s robust flavors.

How can I make a vegetarian version?

Omit the chicken and add extra beans or plant-based substitutes to maintain protein and texture.

Slow-Cooked Tuscan Chicken

Tender poultry braised with cannellini beans, tomatoes, herbs and greens for rich, comforting flavors.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Time to Cook
120 minutes
Overall Time
140 minutes
Created by savoringli Lila Anderson


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Italian

Makes 6 Serving Size

Diet Details Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

Ingredient List

Poultry

01 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks

Vegetables

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 large yellow onion, chopped
03 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 3 medium carrots, sliced
05 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
09 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 2 cups chopped kale or spinach

Herbs & Spices

01 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
02 1 teaspoon salt
03 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
05 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 01

Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 02

Combine Ingredients: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Add chicken, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, chicken broth, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.

Step 03

Cook Stew: For slow cooker: cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through. For stovetop: bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 04

Add Greens: Stir in chopped kale or spinach about 15 minutes before serving. Cook until wilted and tender.

Step 05

Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Equipment Needed

  • Large skillet
  • Slow cooker or Dutch oven
  • Chef's knife and cutting board
  • Wooden spoon

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens. If unsure, check with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains no major allergens. Verify chicken broth and canned beans for gluten or additives if sensitive.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Serves for general info – not a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 335
  • Fats: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Proteins: 34 g