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. And I must say, this clean eating slow cooker spinach and chicken recipe is smelling up my house pretty nicely. Yum!
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!
HEALTHY CHICKEN RECIPES:
SLOW COOKER SPINACH AND CHICKEN RECIPE:
This simple dish is easy to make, totally healthy and even cooks itself!
- 32 oz. chicken breasts
- 1 lb. frozen spinach
- 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (18 oz.) jar marinara (your favorite sauce)
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 slow cookers cook differently.
Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.
Kelly Schaefer says
Quick question: are these bone-in chicken breasts or boneless? It sounds delish and I would love to try this! Kelly
Anonymous says
Kelly – They are boneless and skinless. Enjoy!
Christy Maultsby Flanagan says
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!
Anonymous says
Christy – Haha!! YES! It IS true! I think I’ll go do that research now….
Atmaggio says
I will definitely try this recipe tomorrow! What are some clean jarred marinara brands?
Anonymous says
Atmaggio – What stores do you have in your area? Do you have a Trader Joe’s?
Trailgetter says
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.
Anonymous says
Trailgetter – Oh my. I might have to come to your house for dinner….
Anonymous says
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.
Anonymous says
Maris – I’m so happy you all enjoyed it!
Anonymous says
Kelli – That’s wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Cori says
I made this today…super yummy, especially with couscous!! and there was enough for leftovers. woohoo!!
Anonymous says
Cori – Fantastic!
CleanFanatic says
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!
Anonymous says
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!
Anonymous says
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!
Anonymous says
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!
Anonymous says
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!
Anonymous says
Christina – Excellent! Glad you both enjoyed it!
Mrs. Lusignan says
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!!!
Anonymous says
Mrs. Lusignan – Then I think you’ll enjoy this! It’s anything but dry. 🙂
Anonymous says
Eileen – Welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Anonymous says
Daisy – Certainly! But you’d have to eyeball the difference. I’m not sure what the conversion would be on that. Enjoy!
graciouspantry says
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.
graciouspantry says
Muffin – Hahaha!!! Love that!
graciouspantry says
About 28 to 32 ounces raw.
Charley says
So I live in an area where wild game is our main source of food. Will this recipe work with wild bird?
graciouspantry says
Sure!
graciouspantry says
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!
Cristi Lewis says
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!
Always Eat Clean says
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 🙂
The Gracious Pantry says
Sure! But I would double up on the measurements.
Cooking Disaster says
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.
The Gracious Pantry says
CD – Sorry it didn’t work out!
brett says
when I go to the grocery store is there a jar of marinara that says clean marinara?
The Gracious Pantry says
Brett – No. You have to read ingredient labels. That’s part of clean eating.
Elina says
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 🙂
The Gracious Pantry says
Elina – I’m so happy you’re enjoying it! 😀
Susan says
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 ?
The Gracious Pantry says
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!