Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
This easy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta features tender slow-cooked chicken in a creamy, garlicky parmesan sauce tossed with your favorite pasta. It’s the ultimate comfort food for busy nights, with minimal prep and maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 12 ounces penne, rotini, or spaghetti (use gluten-free pasta if needed)
- Water for boiling pasta
- Salt for pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Extra parmesan cheese, for serving
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts or thighs into your crockpot. Pat dry for better browning if your crockpot has a sauté function.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, heavy cream, grated parmesan, ranch seasoning, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Stir until mostly smooth.
- Pour chicken broth over the chicken in the crockpot. Spread the creamy sauce mixture over the top. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easy to shred.
- Once cooked, use two forks or tongs to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce. If the sauce looks thin, leave the lid off for 15 minutes on HIGH to thicken.
- About 15 minutes before the chicken is done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Add cooked pasta to the crockpot and toss gently until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or extra broth.
- Sprinkle with extra parmesan, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated parmesan and softened cream cheese. You can prep the sauce mixture ahead and refrigerate overnight. For a thicker sauce, let it cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes on HIGH. Add veggies like spinach or broccoli for extra nutrition. Use gluten-free or dairy-free alternatives as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of recipe (approx. 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 38
Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, chicken pasta, garlic parmesan, creamy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, one-pot, ranch chicken pasta