Creating Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is easy if you follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by slicing the onions, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Mince the garlic and chop any optional veggies.
2. Layer Ingredients: Add the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, chopped celery, and diced bell pepper to the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Add Chicken: Place the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
4. Combine Liquids: In a bowl, mix together the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour Mixture: Pour the tomato mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
6. Add Optional Veggies: If using, stir in the green beans and zucchini for added nutrition and flavor.
7. Set to Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
8. Shred Chicken: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir everything together.
9. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the stew and adjust salt and pepper as necessary.
10. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a touch of flavor and color before serving.

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a comforting dish that warms both body and heart.