Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate creamy, cheesy comfort food that practically cooks itself. Tender chicken slow-cooked in a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce, then tossed with pasta, creates a decadent, flavorful meal that’s both hearty and simple.
This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends the slow cooker does all the work while your kitchen fills with the delicious aroma of garlic, butter, and herbs. Pair it with a side salad or garlic bread, and you’ve got an irresistible, crowd-pleasing dinner ready to serve.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is classic comfort food made effortless. The chicken cooks until perfectly tender, soaking up the creamy, garlicky sauce that clings to every piece of pasta. It’s rich, flavorful, and satisfying without being complicated.
Best of all, it’s made almost entirely hands-off making it your secret weapon for family dinners or feeding a crowd. Creamy, cheesy, and full of savory garlic goodness, this slow cooker recipe is guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins (or chicken breasts or thighs)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups dry penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Prepare the slow cooker
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or lightly grease it with butter. This step helps with easy cleanup later.
Place the chicken tenderloins (or your chosen cut) at the bottom of the crockpot.
Step 2: Combine the sauce ingredients
Add the cubed cream cheese, butter, chicken broth, heavy cream, milk, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper over the top of the chicken.
Give everything a light stir to mix the flavors slightly the sauce will meld together beautifully as it cooks.
Step 3: Slow cook the chicken
Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C).
About halfway through, stir the sauce gently to help the cream cheese fully melt and blend.
Step 4: Shred or cube the chicken
Once the chicken is tender, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks or cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Return the chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the creamy sauce.
Step 5: Cook the pasta
While the sauce finishes thickening, cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve a small cup of pasta water.
Step 6: Combine and serve
Add the cooked pasta to the crockpot and toss until everything is evenly coated in the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes (if desired) and serve warm.
Expert Tips for Success
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Don’t skip the butter: It adds richness and keeps the sauce smooth.
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Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce bold, fragrant flavor.
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Parmesan matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melt and taste pre-grated versions can make the sauce grainy.
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Adjust consistency: The sauce will thicken as it cools. Add extra milk or pasta water if you prefer it looser.
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Low and slow: Cooking on low helps the chicken become tender and prevents the dairy from scalding.
Tasty Variations to Try
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Add veggies: Mix in spinach, peas, or steamed broccoli for color and nutrition.
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Spicy kick: Increase red pepper flakes or stir in a spoonful of hot sauce for heat.
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Make it crispy: Top servings with toasted breadcrumbs or extra Parmesan for added texture.
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Protein swap: Substitute chicken with turkey, shrimp, or even Italian sausage.
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Herb twist: Try fresh basil or rosemary instead of Italian seasoning for a unique flavor.
Serving Ideas
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Family dinner: Serve with roasted vegetables or garlic bread for a complete meal.
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Comfort meal: Add a side Caesar salad and extra Parmesan for an indulgent touch.
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Meal prep: Divide into containers for easy lunches it reheats beautifully.
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Potluck favorite: Double the recipe and keep it on “warm” in your slow cooker during gatherings.
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Date-night dinner: Top with fresh herbs and pair with a crisp white wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but it’s best to thaw it first for even cooking and proper sauce consistency. Frozen chicken will release more liquid into the sauce, slightly thinning it out.
Can I cook the pasta in the crockpot?
It’s best to cook the pasta separately. Adding dry pasta to the crockpot can make it mushy since slow cookers retain a lot of moisture.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can cook everything through Step 4, then refrigerate the chicken and sauce. When ready to serve, reheat on low, stir in freshly cooked pasta, and enjoy.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
Can I freeze Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?
Yes! Freeze the sauce and shredded chicken mixture (without the pasta) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and toss with freshly cooked pasta before serving.
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 250
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Creamy, cheesy comfort food made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Tender chicken simmers in a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce with cream cheese, butter, and herbs, then is tossed with penne pasta for a hearty, flavor-packed meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins (or chicken breasts or thighs)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp coarse kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 cups dry penne pasta
- 3 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly grease or spray the slow cooker. Add chicken to the bottom.
- Top chicken with cream cheese, butter, chicken broth, heavy cream, milk, Parmesan, garlic, and seasonings. Stir slightly to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Stir once during cooking to help cheese melt.
- Remove chicken, shred or cube it, then return to slow cooker and mix into sauce.
- Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
- Stir pasta into sauce until coated. Add pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
- Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes. Serve warm with garlic bread or salad.
Notes
Freshly grated Parmesan gives creamiest results.
Cooking on low ensures tender chicken and prevents dairy curdling.
Sauce thickens as it cools — thin with milk or pasta water if needed.
Avoid cooking pasta in slow cooker to prevent over-softness.
Store leftovers up to 3 days; reheat with splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 240
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: garlic parmesan chicken pasta, crockpot chicken pasta, creamy slow cooker pasta, easy comfort food dinner
