Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe Easy Creamy Crockpot Dinner Magic
This creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a comforting, crowd-pleasing crockpot dinner featuring tender chicken, a velvety parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s easy to prepare, adaptable for different diets, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12 oz pasta of your choice (penne, rotini, or rigatoni recommended)
- 1/2 cup extra parmesan cheese, for topping
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Lemon zest, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of your crockpot. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Scatter minced garlic over the top.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Dot the chicken with cream cheese cubes. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- Add freshly grated parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir gently until smooth and creamy.
- While the chicken finishes, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Add drained pasta to the crockpot and toss until evenly coated in the sauce. Stir in reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Top with extra parmesan and chopped parsley. Garnish with lemon zest if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated parmesan and add cooked pasta just before serving to prevent sogginess. Taste for salt at the end, as parmesan and broth can be salty. For a lighter version, use half-and-half and light cream cheese. Add-ins like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes work well. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days; sauce freezes well without pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: parmesan chicken pasta, crockpot dinner, creamy chicken pasta, slow cooker chicken, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, family dinner, weeknight meal