Description
This creamy, flavorful Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food made easy. Tender chicken breasts cook low and slow with garlic, Parmesan, and cream cheese, creating a rich sauce that coats perfectly cooked pasta. Simple ingredients and minimal prep make this recipe ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
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
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite)
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot. Sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to infuse the chicken with flavor as it cooks.
- Add creamy ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth, and add Parmesan cheese, cubed cream cheese, and minced garlic on top of the chicken for a rich, garlicky sauce.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Shred the chicken: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the crockpot, stirring it to mix well with the creamy sauce.
- Cook pasta separately: While the chicken cooks, prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the crockpot and pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Stir everything together until the pasta is fully coated and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Serve: Dish out the pasta warm, garnished with extra Parmesan or chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Cook pasta separately to ensure it retains its texture and doesn’t become mushy in the crockpot.
- Add heavy cream after slow cooking to prevent the sauce from separating and maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
- For the best flavor, use fresh minced garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore creaminess.
- Freeze portions if desired; the sauce texture might change slightly, but stirring during reheating will help bring it back together.
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken pasta, crockpot chicken pasta, garlic parmesan chicken, creamy chicken pasta, easy weeknight dinner
