Name: The Best Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-488140H19M53S
Total time: PT-488140H19M53S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; ½ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp salt; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed and softened; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite); ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half; Optional: chopped parsley or extra Parmesan for garnish

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how effortless this recipe is—I just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. The chicken comes out perfectly tender, and the sauce is rich and flavorful without being fussy. This meal is cozy enough for a weeknight dinner but delicious enough to serve when I want to impress family or friends. Plus, I can easily customize the pasta or garnish to fit my mood.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed and softened
1 tbsp minced garlic
12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or my favorite)
½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Optional: chopped parsley or extra Parmesan for garnish

Directions

I place the chicken breasts in the crockpot and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
I add chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, and minced garlic over the chicken.
I cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
I shred the chicken directly in the crockpot and stir it into the sauce.
While the chicken cooks, I prepare the pasta according to package directions, then drain it.
I add the cooked pasta to the crockpot along with the heavy cream, stirring until everything is creamy and well combined.
I serve it warm with extra Parmesan or chopped parsley on top.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 6 servings. It takes 10 minutes of prep time and 4–5 hours on low (or 2–3 hours on high) in the crockpot. Cooking the pasta separately adds about 10 minutes.

Variations

I sometimes swap the chicken breasts for boneless thighs for a richer flavor.
I like to use different pastas such as rigatoni, fettuccine, or even egg noodles for a twist.
For extra veggies, I stir in spinach or steamed broccoli at the end.
I occasionally spice it up with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
When I want it lighter, I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

storage/reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, I add a splash of chicken broth or cream and warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave to keep the sauce silky.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, I can prepare the chicken and sauce in the crockpot, store it in the fridge, and cook the pasta just before serving.

Can I freeze this dish?

I prefer not to freeze it because creamy sauces sometimes separate, but I can freeze the shredded chicken mixture without pasta and add fresh pasta later.

What pasta works best for this recipe?

I find that short pastas like penne, rotini, or rigatoni work best because the sauce clings to the ridges.

Can I use pre-shredded Parmesan?

I prefer freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting quality, but pre-shredded will work if that’s what I have on hand.

Can I cook the pasta in the crockpot with the chicken?

I don’t recommend it because the pasta can get mushy. Cooking it separately keeps the texture perfect.

Conclusion

This crockpot garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is the kind of recipe I keep in rotation for busy nights and family dinners. It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor with very little effort. Once I tried it, I realized it’s one of those comforting meals that everyone asks me to make again and again.