Description

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a comforting, creamy, and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender chicken, garlic-infused Parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends, it requires minimal prep and delivers rich, family-friendly satisfaction with a velvety, herbaceous sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

4 chicken breasts or thighs (thick-cut preferred)

Cheese & Dairy

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

Liquids

2 cups chicken broth

Pasta

8 ounces uncooked short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)

Seasonings & Aromatics

4 garlic cloves, freshly minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Fat for Cooking

1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (optional, for sautéing garlic or coating chicken)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to enhance flavor before placing them in the slow cooker.
Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Add the minced garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, and half of the Parmesan cheese into the slow cooker along with the seasoned chicken pieces. If desired, sauté the garlic briefly in olive oil or butter beforehand for enhanced flavor.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the chicken to cook thoroughly and become tender while the garlic and seasoning meld into a rich sauce.
Add the Pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, stir the uncooked pasta into the slow cooker, ensuring it is fully submerged in the sauce to cook evenly without shredding the chicken.
Finish with Parmesan and Creaminess: Once the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, stir in the remaining Parmesan cheese to enrich the sauce, giving it a glossy, creamy finish.

Notes

Use thick-cut chicken or thighs with some fat to prevent drying out.
Add pasta near the end of cooking to avoid mushy noodles.
Stir gently when adding pasta to avoid shredding the chicken.
Pre-sauté garlic in olive oil or butter to enhance flavor without overpowering the dish.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 110mg