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
Scale
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.
