Healthy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Let me tell you, crockpot pasta dishes are a total game-changer.

This creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta is the kind of comfort food that makes weeknight dinners so much easier. The tender chicken and al dente pasta come together in a rich, cheesy sauce that’s loaded with garlic flavor.

The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting – just add your ingredients in the morning, and by dinner time, you’ve got a meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The garlic and parmesan create this amazing aroma that fills your whole house.

It’s the perfect no-fuss dinner that always leaves empty plates at the table, especially on those busy weeknights when you need something reliable and satisfying.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this crockpot recipe, but you’ve got some options here. While the recipe calls for chicken breasts, you could also use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer darker, juicier meat – they’re actually more forgiving in the slow cooker since they’re less likely to dry out. For the best results, look for pieces that are similar in size so they cook evenly. If your chicken breasts are particularly large, you might want to cut them in half horizontally to help them cook more uniformly. Just make sure whichever cut you choose is fresh and trimmed of any excess fat before adding it to your crockpot.

Options for Substitutions

This creamy pasta dish is pretty adaptable – here are some helpful swaps you can try:

• Parmesan Garlic Sauce: If you can’t find jarred Parmesan Garlic sauce, mix 1 cup of alfredo sauce with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic and 1/4 cup grated parmesan as a quick substitute.
• Chicken breasts: Chicken thighs work great here too – they stay even more tender in the crockpot. You could also use turkey breast if that’s what you have on hand.
• Cream cheese: For a lighter version, try Neufchatel cheese (1:1 ratio), or use mascarpone cheese for an even richer taste. If you’re out of cream cheese completely, you can use 1 cup of heavy cream mixed with 1/2 cup of sour cream.
• Milk: Any milk works here – from whole to 2% to skim. You can even use half-and-half for a richer sauce, or unsweetened almond milk for a dairy-free option.
• Pasta: While rotini or penne are great choices, any medium-sized pasta works well – try fusilli, farfalle, or even medium shells. They all catch the sauce nicely in their nooks and crannies.
• Parmesan cheese: Fresh grated parmesan works best, but pre-grated is fine too. In a pinch, you could use Romano or Asiago cheese, or a mix of both.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making crockpot chicken pasta is adding the pasta too early – always cook it separately and add it at the very end, or you’ll end up with mushy, overcooked noodles that ruin the entire dish. Another common error is placing cold cream cheese directly into the crockpot, which can result in unwanted lumps – instead, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before adding, or cut it into smaller cubes for smoother melting. To prevent dry chicken, avoid overcooking it – most chicken breast recipes only need 3-4 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high, and using a meat thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature is your best bet. For extra creamy results, stir the sauce every hour if possible, and if it seems too thick when finished, gradually add warm milk until you reach your desired consistency.

What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?

This creamy pasta dish calls for some simple sides that can help balance out all that richness! A fresh green salad with cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette dressing is my go-to choice – it adds a nice pop of color and freshness to your plate. For something warm, roasted broccoli or asparagus seasoned with just a little olive oil, salt, and pepper works perfectly with the garlic and parmesan flavors. If you’re looking to round out the meal even more, some warm crusty bread is great for soaking up any extra sauce (because trust me, you won’t want to leave any behind!).

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This creamy pasta dish will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days when kept in an airtight container. The sauce might thicken up a bit in the fridge, but don’t worry – that’s totally normal! Just give it a good stir when you’re ready to eat.

Freeze: While you can freeze this pasta, keep in mind that cream-based sauces can sometimes separate when thawed. If you want to freeze it anyway, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Pro tip: freeze it without the pasta and make fresh pasta when reheating – it’ll taste much better!

Reheat: When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to life. Heat it slowly over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until it’s heated through. This helps prevent the sauce from separating and keeps everything nice and creamy.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	120-180 minutes
Total Time	130-195 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2500
• Protein: 150-160 g
• Fat: 120-130 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

• 1 (12 oz) jar of parmesan garlic sauce
• 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (trimmed)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup milk
• 8 oz cream cheese (cubed)
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
• 12 to 16 oz of pasta, like rotini or penne (cooked per package instructions)

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

Begin by seasoning the chicken with kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste.

Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of your crockpot or slow cooker, ensuring it’s spread out evenly.

Step 2: Add Sauces and Cheeses

Pour an entire bottle of parmesan garlic sauce over the chicken.

Then, fill the empty sauce bottle with milk, shake well to mix any remaining sauce with the milk, and pour this mixture over the chicken as well.

Add cream cheese and parmesan cheese to the crockpot.

Stir gently to coat the chicken with the sauce and cheeses, ensuring everything is well combined.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken

Cover and cook the chicken on high for 2 to 3 hours, or if you prefer a slower cooking method, set it to low for 3 to 4 hours.

This will allow the chicken to absorb all the flavors and become tender.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it to a plate or cutting board.

Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, or dice it if you prefer chunkier pieces.

Return the shredded or diced chicken back into the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce.

Step 5: Cook and Combine the Pasta

While the chicken is finishing in the crockpot, cook your pasta according to the package directions.

Once done, drain the pasta well and add it to the crockpot.

Stir everything together to ensure the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce and evenly mixed with the chicken.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once everything is combined and nicely heated through, serve the creamy chicken and pasta directly from the crockpot.

Enjoy this rich, flavorful, and comforting meal!