Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight meal. This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is the epitome of comfort food—effortlessly easy, unbelievably creamy, and packed with savory flavor. Forget complicated recipes. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you can create a restaurant-quality dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dinner for busy days.
We designed this recipe to be foolproof. The chicken cooks to tender, juicy perfection while a rich and velvety garlic parmesan sauce simmers around it. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, this dish is guaranteed to impress. Let’s dive in and make the creamiest garlic parmesan chicken you’ve ever had.
Why This Will Be Your Go-To Crockpot Recipe
In a world of complicated dinner plans, this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken stands out for its simplicity and incredible flavor payoff. It’s a true game-changer for weeknight meals.
- Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can have this meal cooking away. The slow cooker does all the hard work, infusing the chicken with a rich, savory garlic and parmesan sauce.
- Incredibly Tender Chicken: Cooking chicken low and slow is the secret to making it fall-apart tender. It soaks up all the delicious flavors of the sauce, ensuring every bite is juicy and perfect.
- The Creamiest Sauce Ever: We use a combination of cream cheese and parmesan to create a luxuriously smooth and velvety sauce that won’t separate or curdle. It’s perfect for spooning over pasta, potatoes, or rice.
- Versatile and Family-Friendly: The mild, savory flavors are a hit with both kids and adults. It’s a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways, making it a staple in your meal rotation.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Garlic Parmesan Chicken
The magic of this recipe lies in its simple, high-impact ingredients. You don’t need a long shopping list to create this incredible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work perfectly here. They become incredibly tender and soak up the sauce beautifully. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that provides a classic, aromatic base flavor.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These provide a deep, savory foundation that complements the fresh garlic.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste. Essential for enhancing all the other flavors.
- Olive Oil: Just a little for searing the chicken, which adds a fantastic layer of flavor.
For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- Chicken Broth: Use a low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the final dish.
- Cream Cheese: This is the secret to an ultra-creamy, stable sauce. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy blending.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor. Don’t be shy with it!
- Parmesan Cheese: For that sharp, nutty, and salty kick. Freshly grated melts best and provides the most authentic flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped for garnish, it adds a touch of freshness and color at the end.
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Step-by-Step
This recipe is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
First, pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Season the chicken generously on all sides with this mixture.
Step 2: Sear for Flavor (Optional but Recommended)
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place the seasoned chicken in the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. This step isn’t mandatory, but it creates a beautiful crust and deepens the overall flavor of the dish. Once seared, transfer the chicken to the bottom of your crockpot.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and whisk it into the broth until it’s mostly smooth. Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Pour the creamy sauce mixture over the chicken in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender enough to shred with a fork.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once cooked, you can either serve the chicken breasts whole or shred them directly in the crockpot and stir to coat with the sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your delicious Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken!
Expert Tips for the Best Results
Want to take your slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken to the next level? Here are a few expert tips.
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Allowing your cream cheese to soften before adding it to the hot broth is crucial for a smooth, lump-free sauce.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: 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.
- Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can make a slurry. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Freshly Grate Your Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own from a block makes a world of difference.
What to Serve with Your Chicken
This creamy chicken dish is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides that can soak up every last drop of that amazing sauce.
- Potatoes: Serve it over a bed of fluffy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes or with some delicious Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
- Pasta: Toss the shredded chicken and sauce with your favorite pasta, like penne or fettuccine.
- Rice: Plain white or brown rice is a perfect canvas for the rich and savory sauce.
- Bread: A crusty loaf of bread is essential for sopping up the garlic parmesan sauce.
- Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or a simple green salad can complete the meal. For a cheesy side, try this easy baked mac and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can add hearty vegetables like carrots or potatoes at the beginning of the cooking time. For more delicate vegetables like spinach or mushrooms, stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking so they don’t get mushy.
This specific recipe relies heavily on dairy for its creamy texture. You could experiment with dairy-free cream cheese and parmesan alternatives, but the final taste and consistency will be different.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe. They may require a slightly longer cooking time, but they will turn out incredibly tender and flavorful.
The key to a smooth sauce is using cream cheese that has been softened to room temperature. This allows it to melt evenly into the chicken broth without creating lumps.
This dish is incredibly versatile! It’s fantastic served over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. You can also pair it with steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, or with a side of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken makes for fantastic leftovers. To store, allow the chicken to cool completely and place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For reheating, you can gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce as it heats. Alternatively, you can microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try
If you loved this recipe, you’re sure to enjoy our Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup or these fun and easy Chicken Street Tacos.
We Hope You Love This Recipe!
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a true comfort food classic that we’re sure your family will love. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for any night of the week. If you make this recipe, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and a rating below to let us know how it turned out. For more delicious inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken: The Ultimate Creamy Slow Cooker Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry. In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Season the chicken on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer chicken to the crockpot.
- In the same skillet, cook minced garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the softened, cubed cream cheese until smooth. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the chicken in the crockpot or serve whole. Stir to coat with sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Tip 2: Searing the chicken is an optional step, but highly recommended as it adds a significant layer of flavor to the finished dish.
Tip 3: If your sauce isn't as thick as you'd like, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
