This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan is a hearty, comforting twist on the classic Italian favorite made mostly hands‑off in your crockpot. Tender chicken simmers all day in marinara, then gets finished with a blanket of gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan. It’s weeknight‑easy, family‑friendly, and perfect over pasta, rice, or veggies.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup marinara sauce (more as needed to lightly cover chicken)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray or a little olive oil for the slow cooker (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly grease the slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little olive oil to help prevent sticking.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken, making sure each breast is well coated. Add a little extra sauce if the tops look dry.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
- About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the chicken, followed by the grated Parmesan.
- Cover again and continue to cook on LOW (or keep on HIGH if already there) for 20–30 minutes, just until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly around the edges, and slightly golden in spots.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Carefully lift out the chicken breasts with a spatula or tongs, keeping the cheesy topping in place. Spoon some of the saucy cheese mixture from the slow cooker over each piece.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired, and serve hot over pasta, rice, or with a side of vegetables.
Variation
- Swap in boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra moisture and richer flavor; cook times will be similar but check for doneness around the earlier mark.
- Make it extra crispy by transferring the cooked, cheese-topped chicken to a baking sheet and broiling for 2–3 minutes until lightly browned and bubbly.
- Turn it into a complete meal by adding sliced bell peppers, onions, or zucchini around the chicken before cooking for veggie‑packed sauce.
Cooking Notes
- Avoid lifting the lid frequently during cooking; every peek releases heat and can extend the cook time by 15–20 minutes.
- If your slow cooker tends to run hot, start checking the chicken for doneness on LOW around 5 hours or on HIGH around 2.5–3 hours.
- For a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate, or stir in a spoonful of tomato paste at the end.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the chicken over spaghetti, penne, or your favorite pasta with extra sauce spooned on top.
- Pair with a crisp green salad and garlic bread or buttered crusty bread for a classic Italian‑American plate.
- For a lighter option, serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or steamed green beans to keep carbs lower.
Tips
- For the best flavor, use a good‑quality marinara sauce you’d happily eat on its own this is the base of your dish.
- If your chicken breasts are very thick, you can gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly in the slow cooker.
- Shred leftover chicken and sauce, then use it in sandwiches, on toasted rolls with extra cheese, or as a topping for baked potatoes.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 6–7 hours (using LOW setting)
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 42 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I put frozen chicken breasts directly into the slow cooker?
It’s not recommended for food safety reasons; always thaw chicken completely in the refrigerator before slow cooking. - Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. You can season the chicken and add it to the slow cooker insert with sauce the night before; cover and refrigerate, then cook the next day. Add cheese near the end as directed. - How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
Use the LOW setting when possible, don’t overcook, and make sure the chicken is well coated in sauce. Thighs also stay juicier than breasts if you choose to substitute. - Can I double the recipe?
Yes, as long as your slow cooker is large enough to keep the chicken in roughly two layers at most. Add a bit more sauce and increase cook time slightly, checking for doneness toward the end.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan delivers all the cozy, cheesy comfort of the classic dish with almost no hands‑on time. Let your crockpot handle the slow simmer while you go about your day, then finish with a generous layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan. It’s an easy, crowd‑pleasing dinner you’ll happily add to your weeknight rotation.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free marinara and sides)
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan is a hearty, comforting twist on the classic Italian favorite made mostly hands‑off in your crockpot. Tender chicken simmers all day in marinara, then gets finished with a blanket of gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan. It’s weeknight‑easy, family‑friendly, and perfect over pasta, rice, or veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup marinara sauce (more as needed to lightly cover chicken)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray or a little olive oil for the slow cooker (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly grease the slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little olive oil to help prevent sticking.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken, making sure each breast is well coated. Add a little extra sauce if the tops look dry.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
- About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the chicken, followed by the grated Parmesan.
- Cover again and continue to cook on LOW (or keep on HIGH if already there) for 20–30 minutes, just until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly around the edges, and slightly golden in spots.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Carefully lift out the chicken breasts with a spatula or tongs, keeping the cheesy topping in place. Spoon some of the saucy cheese mixture from the slow cooker over each piece.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired, and serve hot over pasta, rice, or with a side of vegetables.
Notes
- Use a thicker marinara sauce for a richer, less watery finish thin sauces can create extra liquid in the slow cooker.
- Chicken breasts vary in size; if yours are very large, you may need a little more seasoning and sauce, and possibly a bit more cook time.
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or oven.
- For food safety, always check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 650 mg (approx., varies by marinara)
- Fat: 16 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 7 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 2 g (approx.)
- Protein: 42 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 120 mg (approx.)
Keywords: slow cooker chicken parmesan,crockpot chicken parmesan,easy chicken dinner,Italian comfort food,weeknight dinner