Description
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked with garlic, cream cheese, Parmesan, and Italian seasonings combine with perfectly cooked pasta for a rich and satisfying dish that’s easy to make and delightful to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Liquids
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for extra flavor)
Pasta and Garnish
- 1 lb uncooked pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the bottom of your crockpot, ensuring they are spread evenly.
- Add seasonings: Sprinkle the minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly over the chicken for a well-seasoned base.
- Combine liquids and cheese: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream over the chicken. Add the cubed cream cheese on top. For additional richness, drizzle the optional olive oil over all the ingredients.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the crockpot and shred it finely using two forks to make it easy to mix later.
- Add Parmesan and combine: Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the crockpot until fully incorporated, then return the shredded chicken back into the creamy sauce.
- Cook the pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well to avoid excess water.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the crockpot and stir thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top if desired, and serve the dish warm for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For best results, avoid overcooking the pasta by adding it just before serving.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option or chicken breasts for leaner meat.
- To make this dish lighter, consider substituting half-and-half for heavy cream.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook the mixture uncovered for the last 15-20 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
- This recipe freezes well: store in an airtight container for up to 3 months and reheat gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
