Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make comfort food recipe. Combining tender chicken, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and short pasta cooked slowly to perfection, this dish offers a hands-off, family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep and maximum taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains Dairy, Gluten (can be modified)
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked short pasta (such as penne or rotini)
Dairy & Liquids
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1–2 tablespoons butter or olive oil (optional, for sautéing garlic)
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Garlic: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Optionally, sear the chicken in a pan briefly to lock in the juices before adding to the slow cooker, or place raw directly into the slow cooker.
- Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Add chicken broth, minced garlic, uncooked pasta, and most of the Parmesan cheese into the slow cooker. Pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half, then gently stir everything to combine evenly.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the pasta is cooked al dente, having absorbed the flavors of the sauce.
- Finish with Cheese and Seasonings: Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir in the remaining Parmesan cheese and adjust salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thin, leave the lid off for a few minutes to thicken.
Notes
- Use short pasta varieties like penne or rotini to prevent mushiness during slow cooking.
- Fresh grated Parmesan cheese has better flavor compared to pre-grated.
- Add garlic early to infuse flavor; add some cheese at the end to preserve texture.
- Maintain balanced ratios of broth and cream to achieve perfect sauce consistency.
- Check chicken tenderness about an hour before finishing to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken pasta, garlic parmesan chicken, creamy chicken pasta, easy slow cooker dinner, comfort food pasta
