Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese to create a rich sauce that perfectly coats your favorite pasta. Finished with a splash of heavy cream and optional parsley or extra cheese garnish, this dish is simple, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
Sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite)
- Chopped parsley or extra Parmesan for garnish (Optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot and sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to season the meat thoroughly.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour the chicken broth over the seasoned chicken. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, softened cream cheese cubes, and minced garlic on top to build the base of the creamy sauce.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Using two forks inside the crockpot, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, mixing it thoroughly with the thickened sauce to infuse flavor.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the crockpot with the shredded chicken and sauce. Pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half and stir everything together until the pasta is well coated and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese or chopped parsley if desired for an extra burst of flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce fat content slightly.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free version.
- Shredding the chicken in the crockpot helps it absorb more of the sauce flavors.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook the dish uncovered for the last 30 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
Keywords: crockpot chicken pasta, garlic parmesan chicken, slow cooker chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, comfort food
