The Best Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
This delicious Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and cream create a rich sauce that blends perfectly with your favorite pasta. Ready to serve in just a few hours, this comforting dish is sure to become a family favorite.
- Author: Isabella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
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
Liquids and Cheese
- 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
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite)
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly on all sides with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt to infuse them with robust flavors during slow cooking.
- Place in Crockpot: Lay the seasoned chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot, creating a solid base for the creamy sauce to build around.
- Add Liquids and Aromatics: Pour in the chicken broth and add the minced garlic. This mixture will help cook the chicken gently and add depth to the sauce.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- Add Cheeses and Cream: Stir in the cubed cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Mix well until the cheeses have melted and a creamy sauce forms.
- Cook Pasta Separately: While the sauce is thickening, cook your choice of pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the crockpot with the creamy chicken sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
- Final Cook: Let everything heat together on low for an additional 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld perfectly.
- Serve and Garnish: Spoon the pasta into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your warm, comforting meal!
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for richer flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce might be less thick.
- Pasta cooks separately to avoid becoming mushy; adding it at the end preserves texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, microwave gently or warm in a pot with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Crockpot chicken pasta, garlic parmesan chicken, creamy chicken pasta, slow cooker recipes, easy chicken dinner, comforting pasta dish