Description
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate set it and forget it dinner for busy families, new cooks, or anyone craving cozy flavors without the fuss. Imagine tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, garlicky parmesan sauce all coming together in one pot.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of your crockpot. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle the minced garlic and chopped onion over the chicken.
- Add Liquids and Start Cooking: Pour in the chicken broth. Cover and cook on Low for 3.5 hours or High for 1.5 hours. The chicken should be tender and easy to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return it to the slow cooker.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then gradually whisk in the heavy cream until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot along with the parmesan cheese.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked pasta to the crockpot, pushing it down into the liquid. Cover and cook on High for another 20-30 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Notes
Pro Tip: If you prefer firmer pasta, cook it separately according to package directions and stir it in during the last 10 minutes. This prevents it from becoming too soft. Smart Swaps: Use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour blend if needed. For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with whole milk or a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg