Welcome to the dinner solution you’ve been searching for. This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe is the epitome of comfort food, combining tender, juicy chicken with an incredibly rich and creamy garlic parmesan sauce. If you’re looking for a “set it and forget it” meal that tastes like it came from a gourmet kitchen, you’ve found it. It’s a simple, savory dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
We designed this recipe for busy home cooks who crave delicious meals without the fuss. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, gently cooking the chicken until it’s perfectly tender and infused with flavor. The result is a restaurant-quality dish perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or for impressing guests over the weekend.
Why This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe Works
This isn’t just another slow cooker recipe; it’s a game-changer for your dinner routine. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and depth of flavor, a combination that’s often hard to master.
- Effortless Preparation: With minimal prep time, this is a true “dump and go” recipe. You can get everything into the crockpot in about 10 minutes before letting it work its magic.
- Incredibly Creamy Sauce: We use a combination of cream cheese and freshly grated Parmesan to create a luxuriously smooth and savory sauce that coats every piece of chicken perfectly.
- Perfectly Tender Chicken: Slow cooking ensures the chicken becomes fall-apart tender and absorbs all the delicious flavors of the garlic and herbs.
- Versatile and Family-Friendly: This dish is a certified crowd-pleaser. Its mild, savory flavor is a hit with both kids and adults, and it can be served in numerous ways to keep things interesting.
The Key Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
The magic of this dish comes from a handful of simple, high-impact ingredients. There’s no need for complicated canned soups or seasoning packets here—just pure, delicious flavor.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a great lean option. For even richer flavor and moisture, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- The Creamy Base: Full-fat block cream cheese is essential for the ultra-creamy texture. Low-fat chicken broth provides the liquid base without adding unnecessary fat.
- The Flavor Powerhouses: This is where the magic happens. Freshly minced garlic is a must—the more, the better! Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty depth that is simply unmatched. Finally, a good quality Italian seasoning ties all the savory notes together.
- For Thickening: A simple cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a little cold water) is the secret to a perfectly thick sauce that clings to the chicken and pasta.
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create a meal your family will love. We’ve broken it down to ensure foolproof results every single time.
- Prepare the Chicken (Optional Sear): Pat the chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper. For maximum flavor, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. This step is optional but creates a delicious crust.
- Load the Slow Cooker: Place the seared (or raw) chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot. Pour the chicken broth over the top. Sprinkle the minced garlic and Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender. Avoid lifting the lid, as this releases heat and increases the cooking time.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken from the crockpot and set it aside. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and whisk it into the liquid in the crockpot until smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts.
- Thicken and Combine: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the sauce. Return the chicken to the crockpot (you can shred it first or leave the breasts whole). Let it cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
If you’re a fan of easy chicken dinners, you should also check out these amazing chicken street tacos for your next taco night!
Expert Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken
A few simple tips can elevate this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own from a block of Parmesan will result in a much creamier, more flavorful sauce.
- Soften Your Cream Cheese: Allowing the cream cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the crockpot will help it melt evenly and incorporate seamlessly into the sauce, preventing lumps.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: The key to juicy slow cooker chicken is to cook it just until it’s done. Chicken breasts are cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Check them at the lower end of the cooking time range.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This creamy chicken is wonderfully versatile. While it’s fantastic on its own, here are a few of our favorite ways to serve it:
- Over Pasta: Serve over a bed of fettuccine, penne, or egg noodles to soak up all the delicious sauce.
- With Potatoes: It’s absolutely divine spooned over fluffy rice or a comforting pile of creamy slow cooker mashed potatoes.
- Low-Carb Options: For a keto-friendly meal, serve it with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or steamed asparagus.
- With Bread: Don’t forget a side of crusty bread to mop up every last drop of the incredible sauce. For a full comfort meal, try it alongside this classic baked mac and cheese.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to make this recipe your own with these simple and delicious twists.
- Add Spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a pop of color and added nutrients. The heat will wilt it perfectly into the sauce.
- Mushroom Delight: Add sliced cremini mushrooms to the crockpot at the beginning of the cooking time for an extra layer of earthy flavor.
- A Hint of Spice: For those who like a little kick, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers. Store any extra 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 to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also reheat it in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
For food safety reasons, it’s not recommended to cook chicken from frozen in a slow cooker. The crockpot heats too slowly, which can allow the chicken to stay in the ‘danger zone’ for bacterial growth for too long. Always thaw chicken completely before cooking.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe. They contain more fat, which can result in even more tender and flavorful chicken. The cooking time will be similar.
The recipe calls for a cornstarch slurry, which is the best way to thicken the sauce. If you prefer an even thicker sauce, you can add another teaspoon of cornstarch to your slurry (mixed with cold water first).
The best way to prevent dry chicken is to avoid overcooking it. Use a meat thermometer and start checking the chicken at the low end of the recommended cooking time. Chicken breasts are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
This dish is incredibly versatile! It’s wonderful served over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. For lower-carb options, try it with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a side of steamed asparagus or broccoli.
The Easiest Weeknight Dinner Awaits
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is more than just a recipe; it’s a promise of a delicious, stress-free meal that brings everyone to the table. It’s comforting, easy to make, and bound to become a new staple in your home. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below! Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken: The Ultimate Creamy Slow Cooker Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper. For extra flavor, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Place the seared or raw chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the top. Sprinkle the minced garlic and Italian seasoning over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through to 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot. Whisk the cubed cream cheese into the hot liquid until it is completely smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it has melted.
- In a small bowl, create a slurry by mixing the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Whisk the slurry into the sauce. Return the chicken to the pot (whole or shredded) and cook for another 15-20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Serve hot.
Notes
Don't overcook the chicken! Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to ensure it stays juicy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
