The Best Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe for Cozy Nights

There’s nothing quite like coming home to a warm, creamy, and absolutely irresistible pasta dinner waiting for you. That’s the magic of the Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta—a slow cooker chicken pasta that delivers rich, comforting flavors with almost no effort.

We all have those days when life feels like it’s going 90 miles an hour. Work meetings, kids’ activities, and errands somehow all land on the same day. On nights like that, this recipe is a lifesaver. Imagine juicy shredded chicken swimming in a velvety garlic Parmesan sauce, coating every piece of pasta with pure comfort. That’s not just dinner—it’s crockpot comfort food at its finest.

So, if you’ve been searching for a pasta dinner recipe that feels like a hug in a bowl, let’s dive into this creamy garlic chicken dish that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Hands-Off Cooking: Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

• Family Favorite: Kids love the creamy, cheesy sauce (and adults secretly do too).

• Versatile Pasta Dinner Recipe: Works with penne, rotini, or whatever pasta you have on hand.

• Leftovers Reheat Beautifully: Perfect for next-day lunches or a quick heat-and-eat dinner.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (680 g)

• 1 tsp garlic powder (3 g)

• 1 tsp onion powder (3 g)

• ½ tsp black pepper (2.5 g)

• ½ tsp salt (2.5 g)

• 2 cups chicken broth (480 ml)

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (100 g)

• 1 package cream cheese, cubed and softened (8 oz / 225 g)

• 1 tbsp minced garlic (15 g)

• 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice) (340 g)

• ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half (120 ml)

• Optional: chopped parsley (10 g) or extra Parmesan for garnish

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Layer the Base
   Place chicken breasts in the crockpot. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

2. Add the Creamy Goodness
   Pour in chicken broth, then add Parmesan, cubed cream cheese, and minced garlic over the top.

3. Slow Cook to Tender Perfection
   Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F and shreds easily.

4. Shred & Stir
   Shred chicken with two forks right in the crockpot. Stir to mix everything into a rich, creamy sauce.

5. Cook Pasta Separately
   Prepare pasta until al dente, drain, and add it to the crockpot.

6. Finish Creamy & Dreamy
   Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half for extra silkiness. Garnish with parsley or more Parmesan. Serve hot.

Tips for the Creamiest Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta

• Cut the Cream Cheese Small: Smaller cubes melt more evenly and save you from clumps.

• Reserve Some Pasta Water: If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash to loosen it up.

• Want Extra Flavor? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.

• Make It Veggie-Friendly: Toss in spinach or broccoli near the end for a balanced twist.

And don’t stress if your sauce looks a little curdled before stirring. Once you shred the chicken and mix it all together, it transforms into creamy perfection.

A Cosy Kitchen Memory

This recipe takes me back to one chilly fall evening when I threw it together on a whim. I had chicken in the fridge, a box of pasta in the pantry, and just enough Parmesan to make something happen. I left the crockpot to do its thing while I folded laundry and, honestly, forgot about it until the whole house smelled like garlic heaven.

When my family gathered around the table, there was complete silence for the first five minutes—always the best compliment. By the end, my son had scraped his plate clean, and my husband casually asked if we could have “that pasta thing” again tomorrow. From that moment, this became a regular in our rotation.

What to Serve with Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This dish is rich and satisfying on its own, but sides can make it shine:

• Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up leftover sauce.

• Green Salad: A crisp Caesar or simple garden salad balances the richness.

• Roasted Veggies: Carrots, zucchini, or asparagus complement the creamy chicken.

• Steamed Broccoli: Toss it right in the pasta for extra nutrition.

If you’re serving guests, add a glass of chilled white wine to elevate this pasta dinner recipe from casual weeknight to dinner-party-worthy.

How to Store

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove with a splash of chicken broth or cream to bring the sauce back to life.

• Freeze: You can freeze the chicken and sauce (without pasta) for up to 2 months. Cook fresh pasta when you reheat.

Leftovers make an amazing next-day lunch—just pack a portion in a microwave-safe container and you’ve got a creamy garlic chicken meal ready to go.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Thighs are flavorful and stay juicy in the slow cooker.

Do I have to cook the pasta separately?

Yes, pasta cooks best on the stovetop. Adding it raw to the crockpot often makes it mushy.

Can I lighten this recipe?

Swap cream cheese with reduced-fat cream cheese and use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. It’ll still taste delicious.

What pasta works best for this crockpot comfort food?

Penne and rotini are top choices because they hold onto the sauce beautifully.

Wrapping Up with Comfort

The beauty of this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is how effortlessly it transforms simple ingredients into something soul-satisfying. It’s creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and oh-so comforting—the kind of meal that makes you exhale and think, ah, home.

Whether you need a low-stress weeknight dinner or a pasta dinner recipe to feed a hungry crowd, this one is a guaranteed hit. Your crockpot does the work, and you get all the credit. That’s my kind of cooking!

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

The Best Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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

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Description

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate slow cooker comfort food. Juicy shredded chicken simmers in a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce and is tossed with tender pasta for a rich, soul-soothing dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy pasta recipe is hearty, flavorful, and guaranteed to be a family favorite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tsp (3 g) garlic powder

• 1 tsp (3 g) onion powder

• ½ tsp (2.5 g) black pepper

• ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt

• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth

• 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 package (8 oz / 225 g) cream cheese, cubed and softened

• 1 tbsp (15 g) minced garlic

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)

• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half

• Optional: 2 tbsp (10 g) fresh parsley, chopped, or extra Parmesan for garnish

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Instructions

• Layer the Base: Place chicken breasts in the crockpot. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

• Add the Creamy Goodness: Pour in chicken broth. Add Parmesan, cubed cream cheese, and minced garlic.

• Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours, or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily.

• Shred & Stir: Shred chicken with two forks directly in the crockpot. Stir to create a creamy sauce.

• Cook Pasta: Prepare pasta on the stovetop until al dente. Drain.

• Finish: Stir cooked pasta and heavy cream into the crockpot. Mix until evenly coated. Garnish with parsley or extra Parmesan. Serve hot.

Notes

Cube cream cheese small to help it melt smoothly.

Add red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.

Toss in spinach or broccoli near the end for added veggies.

Store leftovers for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of broth or cream.

Freeze chicken and sauce (without pasta) for up to 2 months.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Plats
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American Comfort Food