CROCKPOT GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN PASTA EASY

Are you craving a comforting, flavorful pasta dish but dreading the thought of spending hours in the kitchen? Imagine tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce, all infused with incredible flavor from slowly cooking in your crockpot. This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers, delivering a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort – I promise you’ll be coming back to this recipe again and again!

Ingredients for the Best Crockpot Chicken Pasta

Chicken

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce

• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

Pasta

• 1 lb pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)

Optional Garnishes

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Red pepper flakes

Let’s Talk Crockpot Choices

Choosing the right crockpot can make a big difference in the final outcome of your Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken. I typically use a 6-quart slow cooker for this recipe, which provides ample space for the chicken, sauce, and pasta without overcrowding. If you’re cooking for a smaller group, a 4-quart slow cooker might be sufficient. Just be mindful not to overfill it, as that can affect the cooking time and consistency. And remember, every slow cooker cooks a little differently, so keep an eye on your chicken and pasta to ensure they’re cooked to perfection.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Chicken

1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.

Making the Garlic Parmesan Sauce

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are mostly submerged.
4. Place cubes of softened cream cheese evenly over the chicken and throughout the sauce.

Slow Cooking to Perfection

5. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
6. About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well.

Shredding and Combining

7. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it with two forks.
8. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the sauce.
9. Add the cooked pasta to the crockpot and stir until everything is well combined and the pasta is coated in the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.

Serving and Garnishing

10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired. An extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese never hurts!

Troubleshooting Your Crockpot Pasta

Sometimes, even the simplest recipes can have a few hiccups. One common issue is the sauce being too thin. If that happens, you can thicken it by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to reach your desired consistency. Also, be careful not to overcook the pasta. Adding it too early can result in mushy noodles. That’s why I always cook it separately and add it at the end. Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to your liking – a little extra garlic or Parmesan can go a long way!

Flavor Variations to Spice Things Up

While this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is delicious as is, there are tons of ways to customize it to your taste! For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use a spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken. If you’re a veggie lover, stir in some chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts during the last 30 minutes of cooking. You could even add a splash of white wine to the sauce for a more complex flavor. And for a truly indulgent experience, try using Boursin cheese instead of cream cheese – the Boursin Chicken Pasta is seriously amazing!

Make Ahead Tips and Storage

One of the best things about this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is that it’s perfect for meal prepping. You can assemble the chicken and sauce in the crockpot the night before and store it in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply pop it into the crockpot and let it cook while you go about your day. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent the pasta from drying out. This recipe also freezes well, making it a great option for batch cooking. Just be sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.

Side Dish Suggestions for a Complete Meal

To round out your Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta meal, consider serving it with a simple side salad, some garlic bread, or steamed vegetables. A classic Caesar salad is always a crowd-pleaser, or you could opt for a lighter option like a mixed green salad with a lemon vinaigrette. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, try serving it with roasted asparagus or grilled zucchini. And don’t forget the bread! A warm, crusty loaf of garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to soak up all that delicious sauce. You could even make a Chicken Parmesan Casserole alongside it for an extra cheesy treat!

Other Amazing Pasta Recipes to Try

If you’re a pasta fanatic like me, you’re always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to try. Besides this incredible Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, be sure to check out my recipe for Creamy Parmesan Chicken Rigatoni Ultimate – it’s another family favorite! And for a lighter option, you can’t go wrong with my Creamy Garlic Pasta. Oh, and if you love the convenience of crockpot cooking, you absolutely MUST try the Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta – seriously, it’s a game changer!

Final Thoughts: Enjoy Your Effortless Pasta!

So there you have it – a simple, delicious, and incredibly satisfying Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a restaurant-quality meal that everyone will love. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and make it your own. Happy cooking!

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender chicken simmers in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce, all infused with flavor from slow cooking, resulting in a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 600 kcal

Equipment

• Crockpot (6-quart recommended)
• Medium bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Fork
• Pot for pasta
• Colander

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1 lb pasta penne, rotini, or your favorite shape
• Fresh parsley, chopped optional garnish
• Red pepper flakes optional garnish

Instructions

 

• Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are mostly submerged.
• Place cubes of softened cream cheese evenly over the chicken and throughout the sauce.
• Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
• About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it with two forks.
• Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the sauce.
• Add the cooked pasta to the crockpot and stir until everything is well combined and the pasta is coated in the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
• Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent the pasta from drying out. For flavor variations, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, use spicy Italian sausage, or stir in chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts during the last 30 minutes of cooking.