Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a solid 10 out of 10! You're in for a treat with the unmatched flavor of this creamy, garlicky pasta. The premade cheesy, tangy, and herby sauce is so good. It's total comfort food and one of my favorite slow cooker pasta recipes.
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The mixture of garlic and Parmesan cheese is such an amazing savory combination. With a slight bite from the garlic and a salty, cheesy flavor from the Parmesan, it's a match made in heaven. Make some, invite your friends over, and enjoy! I hope you love it as much as I do.
If you love crockpot chicken pasta recipes, you'll also love my classic Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Penne, Smothered Chicken, and this creamy Chicken Alfredo.
Why You'll Love This Pasta Recipe
- Easy to Make: This parmesan garlic chicken pasta is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends when you don't feel like cooking.
- Yummy, Mouthwatering Flavor: The bold garlic flavor paired with creamy parmesan and Italian spices from the sauce is scrumptious. It's definitely a crowd pleaser!
- Versatile: It's easy to customize this dish. You can change the type of protein, veggies, noodle, and cheese to whatever you like!
Ingredients
- Pasta: I use rotini but you could also use penne, bowtie, or any short pasta.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: I like chicken breasts for this one but you could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, ground turkey, or leftover rotisserie chicken instead. After it's done cooking, you're going to shred the meat with two forks.
- Cream Cheese: You'll want to cut the cream cheese into pieces so it melts down evenly and mixes well.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is a key ingredient for the wonderful flavor in this pasta. You can use jarred garlic if you're short on time.
- Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated Parmesan is my favorite for this dish. It adds a nutty flavor. You could also use Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or Manchego.
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce: I used Buffalo Wild Wings garlic parmesan sauce. It has the perfect mild flavor and is a great chicken marinade with parmesan, Italian herbs and spices, vinegar and garlic.
- Heavy Cream: Adding heavy cream toward the end of the cooking time gives even more creamy deliciousness to this dish. If you want something a little lighter, you could substitute half and half or use a combination of half and half and chicken broth.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free Pasta: To make this chicken garlic parmesan pasta gluten-free, look for a gluten-free pasta like brown rice or lentil pasta.
- Vegetarian: If you want a meat-free version of this creamy garlic pasta, leave out the chicken and consider adding veggies like broccoli and mushrooms instead.
- Add Extra Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and add more texture and color with vegetables like red and green bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, kale, or spinach.
- Spicy Pasta: Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or some buffalo or hot sauce to give the pasta more heat.
- Bacon: Add crumbled bacon for an even more rich version of the pasta.
- Tomato Flavor: Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted cherry tomatoes for a pop of red color and more tangy flavor.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta in a Crock Pot
This dish is so simple to make. Here's exactly how to cook it.
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken in the Crock Pot. Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, then add the cream cheese, garlic, and parmesan cheese on top.
- Step 2: Pour on the Sauce. Pour the garlic parmesan sauce over everything.
- Step 3: Cover and Cook. Cook on high for 2½ - 3½ hours or low for 4½ - 5½ hours.
- Step 4: Shred the Chicken. Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Add the shredded chicken and heavy cream back in. Mix well.
- Step 5: Cook the Pasta. Cook the rotini pasta to al dente using the directions on the package. Drain it and then add it back to the Crock Pot. Mix everything together.
- Step 6: Serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.
Hint: Sauce Thickness
Save your pasta water. After adding the shredded chicken back in to the Crock Pot, you can adjust the sauce as needed. If it seems too dry, add a few tablespoons of the pasta water until it reaches the desired consistency. If the sauce is too runny, simply let it cook a few minutes longer and the pasta will soak up the additional liquid.
Expert Tips
- Storing and Reheating: Leftover chicken pasta made in the Crock Pot keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don't recommend freezing this one. Because the sauce is already mixed in, it can end up mushy once thawed and reheated. Reheat the dish in the microwave on medium heat for 30-60 second intervals until it is heated through.
- Make Ahead: If you're cooking in the morning or during the day before serving this dish for dinner, make the sauce with the chicken but wait to add the pasta. Otherwise it will soak up the sauce for too long and become mushy. Adding the pasta to the Crock Pot at the end ensures that it won't get too soggy.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Using fresh cheese makes a big difference. Even better if you can grab out your cheese grater and grate the Parmesan fresh!
Serving Suggestions
Crock Pot chicken and pasta is an effortless weeknight dinner. The leftovers are so good for lunch the next day, too! Here are a few ideas for how to serve it.
- Garnish slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken pasta with fresh chopped parsley or chopped green onions and extra parmesan.
- Add a squeeze of lemon or a little lemon zest to brighten the flavors.
- Serve with crusty garlic bread or slow cooker focaccia, roasted vegetables, and a fresh green salad.
- For the perfect game day spread, make this and serve it with chicken wings, chili cheese dip with tortilla chips, and some honey garlic meatballs.
Recipe FAQs
No. It's not recommended to put frozen meat directly in the Crock Pot because it can take too long to reach a safe internal temperature, potentially increasing the risk of bacteria growth. It's best to use fresh chicken or thaw the meat in the fridge before using it in the slow cooker.
Yes, you can use any different sauce. Sauces with Italian flavor and some vinegar for tanginess go well in this recipe. Buffalo Wild Wings has a spicy garlic and southwestern ranch sauce that would work well. You could also use storebought Alfredo sauce, pesto, or a little of both for a pesto Alfredo flavor.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
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Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta uncooked
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces cream cheese Cut into eight pieces
- 3 teaspoon garlic minced
- ½ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- 12 ounces garlic parmesan sauce I used Buffalo Wild Wings garlic parmesan sauce.
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the cream cheese, garlic, and parmesan cheese on top. Then, pour garlic parmesan sauce over everything.
- Cover and cook on high for 2½ - 3½ hours or low for 4½ - 5½ hours.
- Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Add shredded chicken and heavy cream back in. Mix until well combined.
- Cook rotini pasta to al dente per directions on the package. Drain and add to the crock pot. Mix until well combined.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother melting and better flavor.
- Let the cream cheese soften first so it melts evenly into the sauce.
- Cook pasta to al dente, so it holds its texture in the sauce.
- Save some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
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.
Angela says
I love this recipe! If I wanted to add broccoli, when would I add that - with the pasta?
Ryan Allen says
I am so glad you love it. When I add broccoli to a recipe I typically add it 45 minutes before the cook time is up.