I’m in the middle of a very busy and sometimes stressful season. My slow cooker is doing overtime at the moment and all I can say is that my family would not have dinner on the table without it.
Seriously, whoever invented the slow cooker (I really should research that) should have a monument raised in their honor. I could just kiss him or her.
I mean really. A slow cooker is SUCH a beautiful thing. It does all my hard work for me. It cooks my dinner all day long and when I get home from class, it has a warm and wonderfully aromatic meal awaiting my tired self. It’s a beautiful thing. Jussayin’.
If you like the flavor of spinach, you’ll love this dish. The flavor it imparts is strong and earthy. The tomatoes offer up a bit of lightness to the dish, but this is definitely a spinach lovers dinner!
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Clean Eating Slow Cooker Spinach And Chicken
(Makes approximately 4 quarts)
Ingredients:
- 4 large chicken breasts
- 1 pound frozen spinach
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (18 ounce) jar of your favorite clean marinara (or 18 ounce of homemade marinara)
Directions:
- Place all ingredients in a 5 quart slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. It’s done when the chicken easily falls apart.
Note: Times will vary based on your slow cooker. All crock pots cook differently.
Quick question: are these bone-in chicken breasts or boneless? It sounds delish and I would love to try this! Kelly
Kelly – They are boneless and skinless. Enjoy!
I love this line.. “Seriously, whoever invented the crock pot (I really should research that) should have a monument raised in their honor.” This is sooo true!
Christy – Haha!! YES! It IS true! I think I’ll go do that research now….
I will definitely try this recipe tomorrow! What are some clean jarred marinara brands?
Atmaggio – What stores do you have in your area? Do you have a Trader Joe’s?
I like shredded chicken.
I throw onions, garlic, and olive oil on the bottom of the crock pot. Top with frozen chicken breast (boneless/skinless). Pour over green chili salsa. Cooks all day while I’m at work and then stuff the mixture into whole grain tortillas. Yummmmy.
Trailgetter – Oh my. I might have to come to your house for dinner….
Helen – The measurements were based on frozen spinach. You can use fresh, but you’ll have to guestimate how much. I’m not really sure. But yes, fresh will work.
Maris – I’m so happy you all enjoyed it!
Kelli – That’s wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
I made this today…super yummy, especially with couscous!! and there was enough for leftovers. woohoo!!
Cori – Fantastic!
Saw this recipe featured on Tosca’s blog and it looks super yummy! Just one question…. Do you drain the water from the frozen spinach or just throw it in as is? Thanks!
CF – When I made this, I just tossed in the frozen spinach. However, I have since found out that it’s not safe to put frozen foods in a slow cooker because it takes to long for the cooker to reach a safe temperature. So if you thaw it in a fine-meshed sieve, allowing the water to drain, it should work well. Enjoy!
Rae – The “watery” factor will depend on how much water was pumped in to the chicken you used. Sadly, this is common practice with most cuts of meat these days.
All slow cookers cook at the same temperature. The difference between high and low is not the temperature, but rather how long it takes to get to that temperature. You could certainly try it, but be sure to lengthen the overall cooking time. Enjoy!
Cassi – No, cooking on high for half the time won’t work. Slow cookers don’t work in that way. Yes, other greens would work. You can also throw in other veggies as well. It’s okay to be creative!
Carrie – When I wrote this recipe, I used frozen spinach. But since then, I’ve learned that it’s not a good idea to use frozen food in a slow cooker. So I recommend thawing first. It might be a good idea to drain it, but not necessary to the outcome of the recipe. Enjoy!
Christina – Excellent! Glad you both enjoyed it!
I can’t wait to try this!! I am trying it Tuesday Night!!! We really need some good chicken recipes that don’t dry the chicken out!!!
Mrs. Lusignan – Then I think you’ll enjoy this! It’s anything but dry. 🙂
Eileen – Welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Daisy – Certainly! But you’d have to eyeball the difference. I’m not sure what the conversion would be on that. Enjoy!
Delia – Anything that doesn’t have unpronounceable ingredients or added sugar in the list. (not the percentages) Tomatoes, garlic and olive oil are fine. Corn syrup, or maltodextrin are not. I hope that makes sense.
Muffin – Hahaha!!! Love that!
About 28 to 32 ounces raw.
So I live in an area where wild game is our main source of food. Will this recipe work with wild bird?
Sure!
You can cut it in half, but only if you use a smaller slow cooker. Mine was a 5 quart, so if you cut it in half, use a 2 or 3 quart pot. No, you don’t have to drain the tomatoes. Enjoy!
I tried this yesterday and LOVED it! I will be trying more of your recipes, especially if they’re as easy as this one! Thank you!
do you think fresh spinach (not frozen) would work in this dish? i always have a lot of this on hand but never frozen. Thanks! looks delicious 🙂
Sure! But I would double up on the measurements.
I made this yesterday and it was okay. It was extremely watery and kind of bland. I used frozen spinach and did not let it thaw so that is probably why it turned out this way. I know it says not to put frozen things in the crock pot but I did and I am fine. I will definitely thaw it and drain the spinach next time as well as add lots of spices next time.
CD – Sorry it didn’t work out!
when I go to the grocery store is there a jar of marinara that says clean marinara?
Brett – No. You have to read ingredient labels. That’s part of clean eating.
I love this recipe! I’m a full time student, and I work several evenings per week, and I make a batch up on this at the beginning of the week and get so many meals out of the one batch! It’s such a hearty meal and healthy too, ticks every box for me 🙂
Elina – I’m so happy you’re enjoying it! 😀
I’m new to your blog. The recipes all sound delicious but I have a question…. what do you mean when you say ” clean” sauce or “clean” marinara,etc ?
Susan – Welcome! Clean eating is about avoiding processed foods. So here’s how to read nutrition labels at the store when you are trying to find a clean sauce, or anything else: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/reading-labels-for-clean-eating/ . I hope that helps!