Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken
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This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken is simple to make and packed with tons of flavor. Juicy chicken cooks slowly in a rich garlic parmesan sauce, ready to be tossed with pasta when you get home. It’s a no fuss recipe that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
My Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken is proof that you don’t need to hover over the stove to end up with a very good dinner. You put chicken, garlic, parmesan plus a couple other ingredients into a slow cooker, walk away, and somehow a few hours later there’s a creamy, savory sauce that tastes like it required attention. It did not.
The chicken turns impossibly tender, the sauce is rich and garlicky without being overwhelming, and once you mix it in with pasta, everyone suddenly thinks you had a plan. This is the kind of comfort food that feels generous and familiar, and it has the added bonus of letting the slow cooker do all the hard work while you take full credit.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken
- The slow cooker does the heavy lifting. You add everything, walk away, and come back to tender chicken in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce that tastes amazing.
- The sauce is unapologetically good. Rich, garlicky, and full of parmesan, it’s the kind of sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything in sight. Pasta just happens to be the obvious choice.
- It’s comforting without being complicated. No fancy steps, no last minute scrambling. Cook the pasta separately, stir it in at the end, and dinner is served.
- It feeds people happily. This is a crowd pleaser in the most reliable way. Creamy, familiar flavors, nothing intimidating, and no one asking what’s in it.
- Leftovers are even better. The flavors settle in, the sauce thickens slightly, and lunch the next day feels like a reward rather than an afterthought.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work beautifully here. They cook gently in the slow cooker and shred easily into the sauce. You don’t need to cut them first, just let the slow cooker do its thing.
- Cream Cheese: This is what gives the sauce its creamy, luxurious texture. Make sure it’s softened so it melts smoothly instead of clumping.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan if you can. It melts better and gives the sauce a richer, more balanced flavor than the pre-shredded kind.
- Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce: This is the shortcut ingredient that makes the whole dish work. It brings garlic, seasoning, and depth without having to build a sauce from scratch, and it’s reliably good.
- Milk: You can use whole milk, 2% milk, or even non-dairy alternatives like almond milk or soy milk if you prefer.
- Pasta: Short shapes like penne, rotini, or shells are ideal. Cook it separately and add it at the end so it stays perfectly tender and gets properly coated in sauce.
- Season the chicken first. A little salt and pepper at the beginning goes a long way once everything cooks down.
- Resist the urge to over-stir. Let the chicken cook undisturbed so it stays tender.
- Save some pasta water. A splash at the end helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling beautifully to the pasta.
- Shred, then stir. Shred the chicken before adding the pasta so everything mixes evenly.
- Finish simply. Fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan are all you need.
Place 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts directly into your slow cooker. Season them with salt and pepper to taste. Add 4 ounces of softened, cubed cream cheese, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce on top of the chicken. Pour ½ cup of milk over all the ingredients in the slow cooker.
Tip: Spreading the sauce ingredients evenly helps them melt and combine during cooking.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
While the chicken is cooking or just before it’s done, prepare 8 ounces of pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Tip: Cooking the pasta al dente prevents it from becoming too soft once mixed with the sauce.
Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with the cooked pasta.
Gently stir to mix the pasta with the chicken and sauce, allowing it to soak up the flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese and serve.
Tip: If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
How To Serve
This rich and creamy dish pairs well with lighter sides to balance out the meal. Here are some ideas you might enjoy:
Easy Garlic Bread
Garlic Knots
Brussels Sprouts Salad
Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
Slow Cooker I Use
Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I substitute for Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce?
If you can’t find this sauce, you can use another brand of garlic parmesan wing sauce or mix 1 cup of Alfredo sauce with 2-3 minced garlic cloves.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. When ready to serve, reheat it and cook the pasta fresh to mix in.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, you can freeze the chicken and sauce (without the pasta) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before adding freshly cooked pasta.
Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Definitely! Feel free to add veggies like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or steamed broccoli when you combine the pasta and sauce.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
- Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
- Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
- Crockpot Steak And Gravy
- Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
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Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened, cut into cubes)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated )
- 1 cup Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce
- ½ cup milk (whole or 2% )
- 8 ounces pasta (uncooked, like penne, rotini, or shells)
- fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts directly into the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Add the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce on top of the chicken. Pour the ½ cup of milk over all the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Prepare your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred them into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta directly into the slow cooker. Gently stir to mix the pasta with the chicken and sauce, allowing it to soak up the flavors.
- Ladle into serving bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Equipment
Notes
- Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, stir in additional milk or reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce if you prefer a spicy kick.
- Pasta Options: Feel free to use any pasta shape you like, including whole wheat or gluten-free varieties.
- Extra Veggies: Stir in steamed broccoli or spinach when adding the pasta for added nutrition.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
