Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a comforting and easy one-pot meal featuring tender chunks of chicken slow-cooked with garlic, creamy Parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Simple to prepare, it’s a delicious Italian-inspired dish that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lower calorie option)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz pasta shapes (penne, rotini, or fettuccine broken into pieces)
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Optional add-ins: baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken chunks in the crockpot and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken.
- Add Garlic and Liquids: Scatter the minced garlic at the bottom of the crockpot for deep infused flavor. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream (or cream cheese softened and gently stirred in) over the chicken pieces.
- Add Pasta: Nestle the dry pasta shapes directly on top of the creamy mix in the crockpot. Do not cook the pasta separately at this stage.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through, allowing the pasta to absorb the creamy sauce.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the crockpot and stir gently to combine with the sauce and pasta.
- Finish Sauce: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture and stir until the cheese melts fully and the sauce thickens to coat the pasta evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or basil and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese. Optionally add crushed red pepper or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and color.
Notes
- You can add vegetables such as baby spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli during the last hour of cooking to boost nutrition without losing texture.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.
- Leftovers store well in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat leftovers, warm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or milk to restore the sauce’s silky texture, or broil topped with mozzarella for a crispy baked twist.
- Frozen chicken can be used, but increase cooking time to at least 6 hours on low to ensure proper thawing and tenderness.
- For gluten free options, swap regular pasta with gluten free pasta; add it in the last 30 minutes to avoid mushiness.
- Dairy-free version: use coconut milk in place of cream and substitute Parmesan with dairy-free cheese and nut-based Parmesan replacements.
Keywords: Crockpot chicken pasta, garlic parmesan chicken, slow cooker pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy Italian crockpot recipes
