If you are craving a dinner that feels like a warm hug on a plate, the Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is exactly what you need. This dish brings together tender, slow-cooked chicken swimming in a creamy, garlicky Parmesan sauce with perfectly cooked pasta, delivering comfort and flavor in every bite. It’s simple enough for busy nights yet impressive enough to share with family and friends. Trust me, this recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to for easy, satisfying meals.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Nothing fancy, just wholesome, straightforward ingredients that come together to create a rich and flavorful dish. Each component plays a crucial role in balancing taste and texture, making this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe truly shine.
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Provides lean protein that turns tender and juicy after slow cooking.
- 2 cups chicken broth: Creates the flavorful base and keeps the sauce moist during Crockpot cooking.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Adds luscious creaminess and depth to the sauce.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Gives that signature nutty, savory richness.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced: Infuses bold, aromatic flavor without overpowering the dish.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Brings herbaceous notes that complement both chicken and pasta.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Enhances the garlic taste throughout the dish.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Adds a subtle depth of savory sweetness.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste: The essential seasoning duo that rounds everything out.
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine): Shapes that hold sauce beautifully and provide satisfying bite.
- Fresh parsley, chopped: A pop of color and fresh brightness for garnish.
- Extra Parmesan cheese: Perfect for sprinkling on top before serving for an extra hit of cheesy goodness.
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts to keep this dish tender and lean. Feel free to trim any excess fat for a lighter meal. The chicken will slowly soak up all the flavors from the broth, cream, cheese, and seasonings in the Crockpot, which results in melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot
Add the chicken breasts, chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, plus salt and pepper to your Crockpot. Give everything a gentle stir to evenly distribute the seasonings before cooking.
Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover your Crockpot and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. The goal is to reach a tender texture where the chicken easily shreds with a fork. This slow, gentle cooking releases the garlic and Parmesan flavors into the sauce, making it irresistibly rich and creamy.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked through and soft, remove it carefully from the Crockpot and shred it with two forks. Then, return the shredded chicken back into the creamy sauce, so it fully combines and gets coated with all those luscious flavors.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta
While the chicken finishes, cook your pasta separately according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside, ready to be folded into the creamy chicken mixture.
Step 6: Mix Pasta and Heat
Add the cooked pasta into the Crockpot with the chicken and sauce. Stir gently and cook on LOW for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to let the pasta soak up a little of the sauce, marrying flavors beautifully and heating everything through evenly.
Step 7: Serve and Garnish
Dish out generous portions of this creamy, comforting pasta and top with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to make it look and taste even more inviting.
How to Serve Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is the classic finishing touch here, adding a vibrant green pop and a subtle herbaceous flavor that cuts through the richness. Don’t hold back on the extra Parmesan either — a little dusting really cranks up that cheesy goodness.
Side Dishes
This dish is just hearty enough to stand on its own, but if you want a little extra, a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is a wonderful contrast. Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks are also fantastic companions, perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the pasta in individual deep plates or garnish with sun-dried tomatoes or a handful of toasted pine nuts for texture. If you’re aiming to impress, a drizzle of truffle oil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add an exciting dimension without overpowering the comforting base flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld even more, making for delicious next-day meals. Just be sure to cool it quickly and keep it sealed.
Freezing
You can freeze the chicken pasta mixture before adding the cooked pasta. Transfer it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and cook fresh pasta to mix in after reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or drying out. Adding a splash of chicken broth or cream helps restore creamy consistency. Microwaving works too; just cover and heat in short bursts, stirring in between.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it’s best to cook on the HIGH setting and increase the cooking time by about 30 minutes, making sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature before shredding.
What types of pasta work best for this recipe?
Penne, rotini, and fettuccine are ideal because they hold onto the sauce well, but feel free to use your favorite shape. Just be careful not to overcook the pasta in the Crockpot, so boiling separately is recommended.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free or lower in fat?
Sure! Substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. Nutritional yeast can replace some or all of the Parmesan for a cheesy flavor. Use a light cream or milk to reduce fat, but note it may affect the richness slightly.
Can I add vegetables to the Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe?
Absolutely! Spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes stirred in near the end of cooking add color, nutrition, and extra flavor layers without complicating the process.
How do I prevent the sauce from getting too thin?
If your sauce seems watery, mixing in extra Parmesan helps thicken it up. Also, ensure not to add all the pasta water to the Crockpot and drain pasta well before combining to maintain the perfect creamy consistency.
Final Thoughts
Embracing the joy of easy comfort food has never been simpler thanks to the Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe. It’s a recipe that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas, makes busy nights stress-free, and results in a meal everyone will adore. So go ahead, give it a try and watch this creamy, garlicky, cheesy dish become a beloved staple in your dinner rotation!
Print
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts cook slowly with garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasonings in a rich cream and broth sauce, then get shredded and combined with al dente pasta for a hearty and flavorful dinner. Garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, this dish is both easy to prepare and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 1.5 lbs (700g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of your Crockpot to ensure they cook evenly in the sauce.
- Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and black pepper. This mixture forms a rich and flavorful base for the chicken to cook in.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on LOW setting for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the Crockpot, shred them using two forks, then return the shredded chicken back into the sauce in the Crockpot, mixing well to combine.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions in boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.
- Combine and Heat: Add the cooked pasta into the Crockpot with the shredded chicken and sauce. Stir together and cook on LOW heat for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb some sauce.
- Serve: Scoop the creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta onto plates, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired for an added burst of flavor and freshness.
Notes
- Use any short pasta such as penne, rotini, or fettuccine for best results.
- Adjust seasoning like salt and pepper to your taste before serving.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Shredding the chicken ensures that every bite is flavorful and tender.
- Leftovers keep well for 2-3 days refrigerated and reheat nicely.
- You can add veggies like spinach or mushrooms in the last 30 minutes of cooking to enhance nutrition.
