Amazing Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Oh, hey there! Anna here, your go-to gal for all things simple, delicious, and totally joyful when it comes to chicken recipes. You know me, I’m all about making your everyday cooking easier and way more fun, especially when it comes to whipping up something special with chicken. I’ve spent years in the kitchen, not just cooking, but truly playing with flavors and finding those gems that make weeknights feel like a little celebration. It’s my absolute pleasure to share my latest discovery with you: this incredible Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta! If you’re looking for a dish that’s ridiculously easy to make but tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, you’ve hit the jackpot. It’s the kind of meal that fills your home with amazing aromas and your heart with pure comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Seriously, this Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a game-changer for busy folks like us. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, but the best part? It’s ridiculously easy to throw together. You dump, you cook, you stir – that’s pretty much it! Get ready to fall in love with how simple and delicious dinner can be.

Incredibly Easy Preparation

Just toss a few things into your slow cooker and let it do all the heavy lifting. Minimal chopping, minimal fuss, and you still get an amazing meal. It’s almost magic, I tell ya!

Rich and Satisfying Flavor

We’re talking tender chicken swimming in a luscious, creamy sauce packed with garlic and savory Parmesan. It’s pure comfort food that just hits all the right spots. Yum!

Perfect for Busy Evenings

This recipe is a lifesaver for those hectic weeknights when you’re short on time but still want a hearty, home-cooked meal without all the stress.

Gather Your Ingredients for Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to create this dreamy Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. The beauty of this dish is that it uses pretty common ingredients you might even have lurking in your pantry or fridge right now! But, trust me on this, using good quality stuff really makes a difference. Freshly grated Parmesan? It’s worth the tiny bit of extra effort, I promise! It just melts into that sauce so beautifully. We’re going for maximum flavor with minimum fuss here, so let’s get our ingredients ready. You can find the full list right below, but here’s a little peek at what we’re working with.

Ingredients for Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

1.5–2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 (12 oz) bottle Parmesan Garlic sauce

1 cup milk

8 oz cream cheese, cubed

1 cup grated Parmesan, plus more to serve

12 oz pasta, cooked separately (penne or rotini)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Red pepper flakes and chopped parsley for topping, optional

Chicken

We’re starting with about 1.5 to 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Make sure they’re roughly the same size so they cook evenly in the slow cooker. No need to chop them or anything, just pop those beauties right in!

Sauce Base

This is where the magic begins! You’ll need one 12-ounce bottle of Parmesan Garlic sauce. It’s the flavor powerhouse that does most of the work for us. Just pour it right over the chicken.

Creamy Elements

To get that super luscious, velvety sauce, we’ll add 1 cup of milk and 8 ounces of cream cheese, cut into cubes. For the smoothest sauce, make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft, like room temperature, before you add it. It’ll blend in so much easier!

Cheese

We’ll need 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to make the sauce extra cheesy and delicious, plus a little extra for sprinkling on top when we serve. Seriously, freshly grated Parmesan is the way to go here!

Pasta

About 12 ounces of your favorite pasta will be cooked up separately. Penne, rotini, or even fettuccine work wonderfully because they’re great at catching all that yummy sauce. Just cook it according to the package directions.

Seasoning

Simple salt and black pepper are all we need to enhance the flavors. Start with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, but feel free to taste and adjust as you go!

Optional Toppings

Want to add a little something extra? A sprinkle of red pepper flakes gives a tiny kick of heat, and some fresh chopped parsley adds a pop of color and freshness. Totally optional, but they do look pretty!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Alright, let’s get cooking! Making this Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it a million times already. It’s all about letting the slow cooker do the hard work for the chicken, and then a quick little stovetop magic for the sauce. Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a restaurant-worthy meal on the table in no time!

Preparing the Chicken in the Slow Cooker

First things first, grab your slow cooker. Gently place the chicken breasts right into the bottom. Now, pour that whole bottle of Parmesan Garlic sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle on your salt and pepper. That’s it for the slow cooker part! Cover it up and let it cook. If you’re using the ‘low’ setting, let it go for about 3 to 4 hours. If you’re in a bit more of a rush, the ‘high’ setting will get it done in 2 to 3 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is super tender and pulls apart easily. Once it’s cooked, carefully take the chicken out of the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. It should fall apart beautifully!

Crafting the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce

While your chicken is shredding, let’s make that glorious sauce. Grab a medium saucepan and pour in your milk. Add the cubed cream cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese. Turn the heat to medium and just start stirring. Keep stirring gently until everything is melted down and you’ve got this wonderfully smooth, creamy, cheesy sauce. It smells amazing already, doesn’t it?

Combining and Finishing the Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Now for the grand finale! Add that beautifully shredded chicken right into the creamy sauce in the saucepan. Give it a good stir to make sure every single piece of chicken is coated in that deliciousness. Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to the package directions. Once it’s al dente and drained, it’s time to bring it all together. Add the cooked pasta directly into the saucepan with the saucy chicken. Toss everything gently until the pasta is nicely coated. Oh, it looks so good!

Serving Your Delicious Dish

Spoon that amazing Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta into bowls. For an extra touch, sprinkle on some more grated Parmesan cheese – because you can never have too much cheese, right? If you like a little zing, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. And a little sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley always makes it look so pretty and adds a nice fresh note. We love serving this with some simple steamed greens or a light salad to balance out all that creamy goodness! You can find more creamy chicken pasta recipes here.

Tips for the Best Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

You’ve already got the main recipe, but here are a few little tricks I use to make sure my Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta turns out absolutely perfect every single time. It’s all about those small details that really elevate a dish from good to *wow*!

Choosing the Right Pasta

When you’re picking out your pasta, think about shapes that have nooks and crannies to grab all that yummy sauce. Penne, rotini, fusilli, or even shells are fantastic choices. They really hold onto that creamy garlic Parmesan goodness so you get flavor in every single bite. Avoid long, thin pasta like spaghetti if you can, as it can get a bit lost in the rich sauce.

Achieving the Perfect Creaminess

The secret to a super smooth, luscious sauce? Softened cream cheese! Make sure you take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start making the sauce. It’ll blend in so much more easily and prevent any lumps. Also, don’t boil the sauce too vigorously; a gentle simmer is all you need to get it nice and creamy.

Flavor Adjustments

Before you toss everything together, give that creamy sauce a little taste. Does it need more salt? A bit more pepper? Maybe you’re feeling adventurous and want to add a tiny pinch more garlic powder or even a dash of onion powder? This is your chance to tweak it to exactly how you love it. Remember, you can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away!

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Got questions about whipping up this amazing Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta? I’ve got answers! It’s super common to wonder about substitutions or how to tweak recipes, so let’s dive into some of the most frequent things people ask me.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually a fantastic choice here. They tend to be a bit more forgiving and stay incredibly moist, even with longer cooking times. You might want to cook them on low for the full 4 hours just to be sure they’re super tender. They’ll shred just as beautifully and add a lovely richness to the dish!

How do I make the sauce thicker or thinner?

If your sauce is a little too thin for your liking, no worries! Just let it simmer gently for a few extra minutes uncovered while you stir. Or, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to make a slurry, then whisk it into the sauce until it thickens. If it’s too thick, just stir in a splash more milk or even a little chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.

What are some good side dishes to serve with this creamy pasta?

This pasta is pretty hearty on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with lighter sides. Some steamed broccoli or green beans are always a winner. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness nicely. You could also serve it with some crusty garlic bread for dipping up any extra sauce! For more ideas, check out our smothered green beans.

Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?

You sure can! You can totally cook and shred the chicken in the slow cooker a day in advance and store it in the fridge. The creamy sauce can also be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop before combining with the chicken and pasta. Just be sure to give the sauce a good stir and add a splash of milk if it thickens up too much when reheating.

Storing and Reheating Your Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Leftovers of this glorious Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta are honestly almost as good as the first time around! Once it’s cooled down a bit, pop any extra into an airtight container. It should keep nicely in your fridge for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just gently reheat it. You can pop a serving into a microwave-safe dish and heat it on medium power, stirring halfway through, until it’s warmed through. If you’re reheating a larger batch, the stovetop is your best friend! Just put it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often, and maybe add a tiny splash of milk or water if it seems a bit thick. It’ll be like new again!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating (Microwave): Place a serving in a microwave-safe dish. Heat on medium power, stirring halfway, until thoroughly warmed.

Reheating (Stovetop): Gently heat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of milk or water if sauce is too thick.

Estimated Nutritional Information for Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Now, keep in mind these numbers are just an estimate, but they give you a good idea of what you’re getting with this delicious Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. It’s packed with protein and has a satisfying amount of carbs to keep you going, with around 650 calories per serving. Remember, this can vary a bit depending on the specific brands you use and portion sizes!

Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories	650
Fat	35g
Saturated Fat	20g
Carbohydrates	45g
Protein	40g
Sodium	900mg
Sugar	5g

Share Your Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Creation!

I absolutely LOVE seeing your kitchen creations! If you’ve tried this Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, please drop a comment below and tell me all about it. Did you switch anything up? Did your family devour it? I’d be thrilled if you shared a photo too – seeing your beautiful dishes makes my day! You can also find more inspiration on our Pinterest page.

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