This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate cozy, creamy comfort meal made almost entirely in your slow cooker. Tender shredded chicken simmers in a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce, then gets tossed with pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, and spinach for a complete one-pot dinner that’s weeknight easy and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving, optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the garlic-Parmesan mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot, making sure the chicken is mostly submerged.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is completely cooked through and very tender.
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot and transfer to a cutting board. Shred the chicken using two forks, then return the shredded chicken and any juices back into the crockpot and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Add the dry pasta directly to the crockpot and stir well, making sure the pasta is coated and mostly covered in sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 25–35 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the pasta is just al dente.
- Once the pasta is tender, stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and chopped spinach. Cover and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes, just until the spinach is wilted and the tomatoes are slightly softened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth or cream until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Variation
- Swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even more tender, rich result cooking time remains the same.
- Make it a spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta by adding 1/2–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the sauce and finishing with a drizzle of hot sauce if you like heat.
- Turn it into a veggie-loaded version by adding mushrooms, peas, or steamed broccoli florets in the last 10–15 minutes of cooking along with the spinach and tomatoes.
Cooking Notes
- Slow cookers vary; if the sauce seems to reduce too much during the long cook, stir in 1/4–1/2 cup extra broth before adding the pasta.
- Stir the pasta once during its cooking time in the crockpot so it cooks evenly and doesn’t clump together.
- If the sauce looks slightly separated after long cooking, a vigorous stir after shredding the chicken and a splash of cream will bring it back together.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a crisp green salad dressed with lemony vinaigrette to balance the richness of the creamy sauce.
- Add a side of garlic bread or warm crusty baguette to scoop up every bit of the garlic-Parmesan sauce.
- Top each bowl with extra fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or chives) and a squeeze of lemon for a bright, fresh finish.
Tips
- Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper before adding the sauce for layered flavor from the start.
- For best texture, avoid using thin, quick-cook pasta; a sturdy shape like penne or rotini holds up better in the crockpot.
- Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes after turning off the heat this helps the sauce thicken slightly and cling to every piece of pasta.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Protein: 38 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use frozen chicken?
It’s safest to use thawed chicken in the crockpot so it comes up to temperature quickly and evenly. Thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking. - Can I cook the pasta separately?
Yes. Boil the pasta on the stovetop until al dente, then stir it into the finished sauce and chicken, thinning with a bit of pasta water if needed. - How can I make this lighter?
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, reduce the Parmesan slightly, and serve smaller portions with extra veggies or salad on the side. - Will this recipe freeze well?
The creamy sauce and pasta can change texture when frozen, so for best results freeze just the shredded chicken and sauce, then add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
Conclusion
Creamy, garlicky, and loaded with comforting flavor, this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta takes just minutes to prep and rewards you with a hearty, one-pot dinner the whole table will love. With tender shredded chicken, rich sauce, and veggies all in one dish, it’s an easy slow cooker staple you’ll come back to again and again.
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Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate cozy, creamy comfort meal made almost entirely in your slow cooker. Tender shredded chicken simmers in a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce, then gets tossed with pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, and spinach for a complete one-pot dinner that’s weeknight easy and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving, optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the garlic-Parmesan mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot, making sure the chicken is mostly submerged.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is completely cooked through and very tender.
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot and transfer to a cutting board. Shred the chicken using two forks, then return the shredded chicken and any juices back into the crockpot and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Add the dry pasta directly to the crockpot and stir well, making sure the pasta is coated and mostly covered in sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 25–35 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the pasta is just al dente.
- Once the pasta is tender, stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and chopped spinach. Cover and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes, just until the spinach is wilted and the tomatoes are slightly softened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth or cream until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, creamiest sauce pre-shredded can be grainier.
- Pasta texture can vary by brand; start checking for doneness at 20 minutes after adding to the crockpot.
- If your slow cooker runs hot, add an extra splash of broth before adding the pasta so it has enough liquid to cook.
- For a thinner, saucier pasta, stir in a bit more warm broth or cream right before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 650 mg (approx.)
- Fat: 28 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 15 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 2 g (approx.)
- Protein: 38 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 165 mg (approx.)
Keywords: crockpot garlic parmesan chicken pasta, slow cooker chicken pasta, creamy garlic parmesan pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one pot pasta