Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
Looking for a comforting, flavorful meal that’s easy to make and light on points? Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi is the perfect choice. With tender chicken meatballs, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and pillowy gnocchi in a creamy sauce, this dish offers rich Italian flavors for just 6 WW points per serving. It’s an indulgent meal that doesn’t feel like “diet food,” and the slow cooker makes it incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for a satisfying dinner, this dish will quickly become a favorite!
Get the Recipe Here: Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs: Gnocchi Perfection
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To make Weight Watchers Dutch Apple Pie, start with the apple filling: 3 lbs Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced, or any preferred baking apples. Toss them with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/3 cup brown sugar substitute, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar substitute (both in a 1:1 replacement ratio). Stir in ยผ cup all-purpose flour, 1 ยฝ teaspoons ground cinnamon, and ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg to thicken and flavor the filling. For the crumb topping, combine ยพ cup all-purpose flour, ยผ cup brown sugar substitute, and ยผ cup granulated sugar substitute, along with ยผ teaspoon table salt and ยฝ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cut in 5 tablespoons light butter substitute until the mixture is crumbly. For the pie crust, mix ยพ cup self-rising flour, ยพ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt, and 1 ยฝ teaspoons vegetable oil. Assemble the pie by layering the apple filling, topping with the crumble, and baking to perfection.
Prepare the Chicken Meatballs
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In a large bowl, mix the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper until just combined. Form into 1-1.5 inch meatballs (18-20 total). Lightly grease the air fryer basket and cook meatballs at 375ยฐF (190ยฐC) for 10 minutes until browned and cooked through. Alternatively, bake at 400ยฐF (200ยฐC) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Assemble the Slow Cooker Dish
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Set the slow cooker to high. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a pan, sautรฉ diced onion for 5 minutes until soft, then add to the slow cooker. Layer in the meatballs, sun-dried tomatoes, sautรฉed onion, gnocchi, spinach, and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper and top with Parmesan cheese (optional). Cook for 30-45 minutes until the gnocchi are tender.
Finish with Yogurt and Fresh Spinach
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Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker. Stir in Greek yogurt for creaminess and add the remaining fresh spinach, which will wilt from the heat.
Serve and Enjoy
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Serve the Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi in bowls, topping with extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy warm!
Variations and Substitutions for Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi
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If you donโt have gnocchi on hand, you can swap it out for diced potatoes or pasta, which will absorb the sauce similarly, though the texture may differ. To amp up the flavor in the meatballs, consider adding a bit of smoked turkey chorizo for a flavorful boost. You can also switch the chicken with ground turkey or lean beef to suit your preference, still maintaining the dishโs Italian-inspired flavors while adding variety.
Tips and Tricks for Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi
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For the perfect Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi, consider customizing the meatball mixture by mixing in breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and seasonings first, then adding the egg only if needed to maintain the right consistency. To preserve the bright color of spinach, save a handful to stir in just before serving. For a smooth and creamy sauce, add the yogurt after turning off the slow cooker to prevent curdling. Opt for oil-free sun-dried tomatoes to keep the dish lighter and lower in calories. For added flavor and texture, brown the meatballs in an air fryer before placing them in the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe Here: Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi
