Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight dinner. This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal, delivering incredibly tender, juicy chicken smothered in a rich and creamy garlic parmesan sauce. It’s a family-friendly dish that requires minimal effort for maximum flavor, making your busiest days feel a little easier and a lot more delicious.
We developed this recipe to solve the common problem of dry, bland slow cooker chicken. By using a specific blend of ingredients and a simple technique, the chicken stays perfectly moist while the sauce develops a deep, savory flavor that tastes like it simmered for hours. It’s comfort food at its finest.
Why This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe Works
You’ll fall in love with this recipe for its simplicity and incredible taste. It’s a true lifesaver on busy weeknights when you crave a home-cooked meal without the fuss. The slow cooker does all the work, tenderizing the chicken until it’s melt-in-your-mouth perfect.
- Minimal Prep: With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can have this meal cooking away while you focus on other things.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of garlic, Italian herbs, and savory parmesan cheese creates a sauce that’s simply irresistible.
- Perfectly Tender Chicken: Our method ensures the chicken breasts cook low and slow, locking in moisture and resulting in perfectly tender meat every time. If you want more tips, check out our guide on making perfect slow cooker chicken breast.
- Versatile and Family-Friendly: This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and can be served in so many different ways, from pasta to potatoes.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a restaurant-quality meal. Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand.
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe.
- Seasonings: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder coats the chicken for a foundational layer of flavor.
- Olive Oil: Just a little for searing the chicken, which is an optional but recommended step for extra flavor.
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of our sauce, providing moisture and savory depth.
- Cream Cheese: The secret to an ultra-creamy, rich sauce. Be sure it’s softened for easy melting.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan will melt better and provide a sharp, nutty flavor that packaged cheese can’t match.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that perfectly complements the garlic and parmesan.
- Cornstarch Slurry: A simple mix of cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency at the end.
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Making this dish is as simple as layering ingredients and letting the slow cooker work its magic. Follow these straightforward steps for a perfect result.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season the chicken generously on all sides.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. This step adds a lot of flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Place the seared chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Pour this mixture over the chicken.
- Add Cream Cheese: Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and place them on and around the chicken.
- 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: Remove the chicken from the crockpot and set it aside. Whisk the sauce in the crockpot until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts.
- Thicken and Serve: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce. Let it cook for another 10-15 minutes on high until thickened. Return the chicken to the crockpot, spooning the sauce over it. Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken
A few simple tips can elevate this dish from great to absolutely amazing.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breast can dry out if overcooked, even in a slow cooker. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the cook time range.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: For the creamiest sauce, grate your own Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Letting the cream cheese come to room temperature ensures it melts smoothly into the sauce without lumps.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This creamy chicken is incredibly versatile. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:
- Over Pasta: Serve the chicken and sauce over a bed of fettuccine or penne.
- With Mashed Potatoes: The creamy sauce is perfect for drizzling over fluffy mashed potatoes.
- With Rice: Spoon it over white or brown rice to soak up every last drop of the sauce.
- On its Own: For a lower-carb option, serve it alongside roasted vegetables like roasted delicata squash or a simple green salad.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking! If you enjoy these flavors, you might also love our garlic parmesan chicken meatballs.
- Chicken Thighs: You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra flavor and moisture. Adjust cook time as needed.
- Add Spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end and let it wilt into the sauce for added nutrients.
- Spice it Up: Add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a gentle kick of heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
It would be challenging due to the cream cheese and Parmesan, but you can try using dairy-free alternatives. Use a high-quality dairy-free cream cheese and a nutritional yeast-based Parmesan substitute. The texture and flavor will be different, but it can be a good alternative.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and are more forgiving, as they have a higher fat content and tend to stay juicier. The cooking time should be similar, but always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
The key is to avoid overcooking. Every slow cooker is different, so start checking the chicken at the lower end of the recommended cooking time. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using chicken thighs can also help prevent dryness.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over low heat until heated through. You can add a splash of milk or chicken broth if the sauce is too thick.
This dish is very versatile. It’s delicious served over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up the creamy sauce. For a lower-carb option, pair it with steamed asparagus, broccoli, or a fresh green salad.
The Perfect Creamy Chicken Dinner
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe is a true game-changer for anyone who loves easy, flavorful meals. It’s a dish you’ll return to again and again. If you make it, we’d love to see! Share your creations and be sure to follow us on Pinterest for more delicious inspiration.
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken (The Easiest, Creamiest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and season all sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Pour over the chicken.
- Arrange the cubes of softened cream cheese on and around the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot. Whisk the sauce until smooth, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the sauce. Continue to cook on HIGH for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Return the chicken to the crockpot and spoon the sauce over it. Serve warm.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
