Get ready to fall in love with your slow cooker all over again. This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe delivers unbelievably tender, juicy chicken breasts bathed in a rich, creamy, and deeply savory garlic parmesan sauce. It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is pure comfort food that the whole family will request time and time again.
We’re taking simple ingredients and transforming them into a restaurant-quality dinner with minimal effort. The secret is layering the flavors and letting the slow cooker work its magic, gently cooking the chicken to perfection while the sauce develops into a luscious, creamy dream. Say goodbye to dry, bland chicken and hello to your new favorite weeknight staple.
Why This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s big on flavor but low on effort, you’ve found it. This isn’t just another slow cooker chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for your dinner rotation.
- Incredibly Tender Chicken: The slow cooking process ensures the chicken is perfectly moist and falls apart with a fork. It’s the best way to cook Slow Cooker Chicken Breast without it drying out.
- Rich and Creamy Sauce: Cream cheese and Parmesan melt together to create a velvety, savory sauce that’s simply irresistible. You’ll want to spoon it over everything!
- Minimal Prep Time: Just 10 minutes of prep is all you need. Simply season the chicken, mix the sauce ingredients, and let the crockpot handle the rest.
- Family-Friendly Flavor: The combination of garlic, herbs, and cheesy goodness is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Creamy Sauce
The magic of this dish lies in its simple yet powerful combination of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create that unforgettable creamy sauce.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. They become incredibly tender and absorb all the flavors from the sauce.
- Cream Cheese: This is the secret to an ultra-creamy, rich sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.
- Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base for our sauce and adds a layer of savory depth.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor. Don’t be shy with it!
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and a sharp, nutty flavor that cuts through the creaminess.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that adds a classic, aromatic touch.
- Onion Powder & Paprika: These add warmth and complexity to the seasoning blend.
- Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Making this delicious meal is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them generously on all sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Place them in the bottom of your crockpot in a single layer.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Add Cream Cheese: Place the block of cream cheese directly on top of the chicken and broth mixture.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Finish the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and set it aside. Whisk the remaining liquid in the crockpot until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. If the sauce is thinner than you’d like, you can create a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water) and whisk it in while the crockpot is on high to thicken it.
- Combine and Serve: You can either shred the chicken and return it to the sauce or place the whole breasts back in to coat them. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
Want to make your Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken even better? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breasts can become dry if overcooked, even in a slow cooker. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the recommended cooking time.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Avoid the pre-shredded kind in a bag. A block of fresh Parmesan cheese grated by hand will melt much more smoothly and provide superior flavor.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): For an extra layer of flavor, you can sear the seasoned chicken breasts in a hot skillet with a little olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side before adding them to the crockpot. This isn’t necessary but adds a nice depth.
What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken
This creamy chicken dish is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides that can soak up all of that delicious sauce.
- Pasta: Serve over a bed of fettuccine, linguine, or penne.
- Rice or Quinoa: A simple and perfect base for the chicken and sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic comfort pairing.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans add a fresh, healthy component. A side of roasted acorn squash would also be delightful.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping into every last drop of the sauce.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to make this recipe your own with these easy swaps and additions.
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used for an even juicier result.
- Add Spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end and let it wilt into the sauce for extra nutrients.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: For a Tuscan twist, add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with the garlic.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning for a little kick.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers. Store any extra chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep. You can fully cook it and store it in the refrigerator for a few days. The flavors often meld together and taste even better the next day.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute. They contain more fat, which makes them naturally more moist and forgiving, so they are less likely to dry out. The cooking time should remain roughly the same.
While the core of this recipe is dairy-based, you could experiment with dairy-free alternatives. Use a dairy-free cream cheese (like a cashew or almond-based one) and a high-quality, plant-based parmesan cheese substitute. The texture and flavor will be different but can still be delicious.
If your sauce is too thin, you can easily thicken it by creating a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Whisk this mixture into the sauce in the crockpot and turn the heat to HIGH for 15-20 minutes until it thickens.
To keep chicken breasts from drying out, cook them on the LOW setting and start checking for doneness at the earliest recommended time (around 4 hours). Using ingredients with high moisture content, like the broth and cream cheese in this recipe, also helps keep the chicken tender and juicy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce as it reheats.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a testament to how simple ingredients can create an extraordinary meal. It’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again for its ease and incredible flavor. If you loved this, you might also enjoy our creamy mac and cheese recipe or our classic Garlic Butter Roast Chicken.
We hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. And don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken (The Ultimate Creamy Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Season the chicken breasts on all sides.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Pour this mixture over the chicken.
- Place the cubes of cream cheese on top of the chicken and broth.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C).
- Carefully remove the chicken from the crockpot and set aside. Whisk the sauce in the crockpot until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Return the chicken to the crockpot (either whole or shredded) and stir to coat with the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For extra flavor, sear the chicken in a skillet for 2-3 minutes per side before adding it to the slow cooker.
