There are days when the thought of standing over a stove makes you want to crawl under a blanket instead. That’s when the magic of the crockpot saves the day—and this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is here to prove it.

Think tender shredded chicken, a dreamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, and pasta that hugs every bit of creaminess. This dish is everything you want from comfort food: rich, cozy, and ridiculously simple. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day.

And the best part? This is truly an easy crockpot dinner. You toss the ingredients in, walk away, and come back hours later to a house that smells like heaven and a dinner that practically made itself. Pair it with a green salad or garlic bread, and you’ve got a family favorite waiting to happen.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Effortless cooking: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
Creamy & flavorful: Parmesan and cream cheese make a sauce that’s downright luscious.
Family-friendly: Picky eaters tend to gobble this one up.
Perfect comfort food: Cozy, filling, and satisfying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

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
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

Step-by-Step: How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Season the chicken: Place chicken breasts in the crockpot. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Add creamy goodness: Pour in chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese cubes, and minced garlic.
Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours until chicken is tender.
Shred & mix: Shred chicken directly in the crockpot with two forks. Stir to blend with sauce.
Cook pasta: While chicken finishes, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
Combine: Add pasta to the crockpot, stir in heavy cream, and mix until creamy and well coated.
Serve: Garnish with parsley or extra Parmesan, and enjoy warm.

Tips for the Creamiest Pasta

Cube the cream cheese: Smaller chunks melt more evenly into the sauce.
Pasta choice matters: Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or shells grab the sauce best.
Go bold with garlic: Love garlic? Add roasted garlic or a pinch of garlic powder to deepen the flavor.
Extra sauce? Yes, please: Double the broth, cream cheese, and Parmesan if you like it extra saucy.
Fresh finish: A sprinkle of parsley or even a squeeze of lemon brightens the richness.

A Story from My Kitchen

I’ll never forget the first time I served this to my family—it was a chilly fall evening, and I had just come back from one of those marathon grocery store runs where you feel like you deserve a medal. I had tossed the ingredients into the crockpot earlier that morning, and by dinnertime the whole house smelled like an Italian trattoria.

When I brought the pot to the table, my kids’ eyes lit up. My husband (the resident “is this healthy?” skeptic) took one bite, looked at me, and said, “This tastes like restaurant pasta… but better.” From that night on, it became one of our staple comfort dinners—the kind we look forward to when the week feels long and we need a little extra love on our plates.

What to Serve with Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This dish is hearty, so you don’t need much, but here are some winning pairings:

Fresh greens: A crisp Caesar or garden salad balances the richness.
Garlic breadsticks: Perfect for soaking up every drop of sauce.
Roasted veggies: Broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts add color and crunch.
Something light & bubbly: Sparkling water with lemon or even a crisp white wine for the adults.

How to Store & Reheat

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
Freezer: Not ideal for pasta (it can get mushy), but you can freeze the chicken and sauce separately before adding pasta.

Pro tip: If you’re meal-prepping, cook the pasta fresh and stir it into the reheated sauce—it keeps the texture just right.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Thighs stay extra juicy and shred beautifully in the crockpot.

What pasta works best?

Penne, rotini, or shells are great since they hold the creamy sauce in every nook.

Can I make this ahead?

Definitely. Cook the chicken and sauce, store it in the fridge, and stir in freshly cooked pasta before serving.

How can I make it lighter?

Swap half-and-half for heavy cream and use light cream cheese. It’ll still be creamy and delicious.

Cosy Pasta Nights Made Simple

This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker doing most of the work, you’ll have a rich, creamy, crowd-pleasing meal waiting at the end of the day.

So the next time life feels busy and you need a little comfort on your plate, pull out your crockpot and let it work its magic. Because sometimes, the best dinners are the ones that practically cook themselves.

Discover more delicious recipes by following me on Facebook and Pinterest.

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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Author: Olivia Hartwellen
Total Time: 4–5 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food—tender shredded chicken in a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, tossed with pasta for a cozy, family-friendly dinner. With just a few minutes of prep, the slow cooker does the rest, making it an effortless weeknight win.

Ingredients

Scale

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
8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
1 tbsp minced garlic
12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or similar)
½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Optional: chopped parsley or extra Parmesan for garnish

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Instructions

Place chicken breasts in the crockpot. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken broth, Parmesan, cream cheese cubes, and minced garlic.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours until chicken is tender.
Shred chicken with two forks directly in the crockpot. Stir to blend with sauce.
Cook pasta separately according to package directions. Drain well.
Stir cooked pasta and heavy cream into the crockpot. Mix until creamy and coated.
Garnish with parsley or extra Parmesan. Serve warm.

Notes

Cube cream cheese so it melts smoothly into the sauce.

Use short pasta shapes like penne or rotini for best sauce coverage.

Double the sauce ingredients if you prefer extra creamy pasta.

Chicken thighs can be substituted for juicier results.

For meal prep, freeze the chicken and sauce separately and add fresh pasta when serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours
Category: Dinner / Pasta
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Italian-American Inspired

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: Creamy Comfort Made Easy