This crockpot Italian chicken is rich and creamy, and with just five basic ingredients, it's the perfect main course to pair with noodles, rice, or potatoes for a busy weeknight meal.
If I can make anything in a slow cooker, I will. It makes things so much easier, and the final results are always tasty. That's exactly why I and my family love this delicious dish so much. It's quick, easy, and so good.
This dish was inspired by another creamy slow cooker chicken recipe on my site, and it pairs well with this easy rice recipe.
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Why You'll Love This Crockpot Italian Chicken Recipe
- It only uses five basic ingredients.
- It's an easy slow cooker recipe perfect for even busy weeknights.
- The creamy sauce and Italian flavors pair well with a variety of sides.
- It's a kid-friendly dish that everyone in the house will love.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Italian dressing
- Cream of chicken soup
- Parmesan cheese
- Crem cheese - cubed
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- Replace cream of chicken soup with mushroom soup for a deeper, earthy flavor profile.
- Use Asiago or Romano cheese instead of Parmesan for a sharper, more distinct cheese flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the Italian dressing for a spicy kick.
- Pour a jar of marinara on top to make a creamy Italian chicken with red sauce.
- For a budget-friendly meal, use chicken legs instead of chicken breast.
- Mix sautéed mushrooms and onions into the crock pot for added texture and richness.
- Swap chicken breast for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful meat.
- Incorporate a handful of spinach or kale in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and Italian dressing for a tangy, tomato-forward taste.
- Use Neufchâtel cheese instead of cream cheese for a lighter, less dense sauce.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving for a fresh, aromatic finish.
How To Make Crockpot Italian Chicken
1: Pat the chicken dry and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2: Add the Italian dressing, cream of chicken soup, parmesan cheese, and cubed cream cheese, in that order.
3: Cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4: Remove the chicken, shred while hot, and stir back into the creamy sauce.
Hint
Shred the chicken while it's still hot. Hot meat shreds easily and uniformly, making the dish so much better.
Storage
Refrigerate this chicken for up to 3 days in an air-tight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag with as much air removed as possible.
To reheat the dish, thaw it overnight if frozen. Then, add it to a saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until heated through.
What to Serve with Crockpot Italian Chicken
Serve this rich, creamy chicken recipe with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, along with your favorite sides, for a hearty meal.
Tips
- Use a high-quality Italian dressing for more robust and zesty flavors.
- If available, opt for low-sodium cream of chicken soup to control the salt content in the recipe.
- For even more flavor, season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before adding them to the crock pot.
- Choose chicken breasts that are all roughly the same thickness to make sure they cook evenly.
- Instead of two forks, you can use a stand mixer to shred the chicken easily in no time using the paddle attachment.
- If the sauce is too thick after cooking, add a small amount of milk or chicken broth to adjust the consistency.
FAQ
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts directly in the crock pot. However, it may require an additional hour of cooking time on high to ensure the chicken cooks through properly. And since the chicken is frozen, it will release more water, which could make the sauce less creamy.
Yes, adding vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini is a great idea. Add them halfway through the cooking time to avoid overcooking and maintain their texture.
Chicken breasts typically take about 3 to 4 hours in a high setting or 6 to 7 hours in a low setting in a crockpot to become tender. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
You can absolutely adapt this recipe for an Instant Pot. Cook it on high pressure for about 8 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally before opening and shredding the chicken.
More Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
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Crockpot Italian Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 ( 16 ounce) bottle Italian dressing
- 1 (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese Cut into cubes
Instructions
- Add chicken to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Pour the Italian dressing, cream of chicken soup, and parmesan cheese over the chicken. Then, place cream cheese cubes on top.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- Shred the chicken in the slow cooker with two forks. Then mix into the creamy Italian sauce.
- Serve over rice or noodles and enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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