Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs With Gnocchi – This easy crockpot Tuscan chicken meatballs with gnocchi is juicy and flavorful with a vibrant Tuscan-inspired sauce simmered to perfection in your slow cooker sure to become your weeknight favorite.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs With Gnocchi – Tips
- For a thicker sauce – Mash some of the cooked gnocchi against the side of the pot before adding cream.
- Leftovers – This dish reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
- Freeze it – Assemble the recipe in the slow cooker, but cook only for 2-3 hours. Cool completely, then freeze. Thaw overnight and cook on low for an additional 2-3 hours when ready to serve.
Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Meatballs With Gnocchi – Variations
- Vegetarian Twist – Substitute lentil or black bean meatballs for a meatless option.
- Spicy Kick – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeno to the sauce for a touch of heat.
- Spinach – Stir in a handful of fresh spinach in the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrients.
How to Serve this best slow cooker Tuscan chicken meatballs with gnocchi?
- Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread for dipping in the delicious sauce.
- Pair with a glass of Italian red wine for a complete Tuscan experience.
Recipe – FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works perfectly in this recipe.
Do I have to use white wine?
No problem! You can substitute with additional chicken broth or simply omit it altogether.
What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?
You can use chopped fresh tomatoes or a teaspoon of sun-dried tomato paste instead.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the meatballs and sauce as instructed, then store them in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, add everything to the slow cooker and cook as usual.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs With Gnocchi
This easy crockpot slow cooker Tuscan chicken meatballs with gnocchi is juicy and flavorful with a vibrant Tuscan-inspired sauce simmered to perfection in your slow cooker sure to become your weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken (dark meat preferred)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, plus 2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc work well)
- 1 (17.5-oz) package gnocchi
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes (including oil), onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and egg. Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Add the chicken broth and white wine to your slow cooker. Nestle the meatballs in the liquid. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, or until meatballs are cooked through.
- After 4 hours, carefully add the gnocchi to the slow cooker and stir gently. Cook for an additional 20 minutes, or until gnocchi is tender.
- Stir in the spinach, heavy cream, remaining Parmesan cheese, and basil (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook for another 5 minutes, or until spinach is wilted and sauce is heated through.
Serve with a side of crusty bread for dipping in the delicious sauce.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 466Total Fat 26gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 148mgSodium 555mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 27g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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