Chicken parmesan doesn’t have to be complicated! With simple breading, marinara sauce, and a combination of delicious cheeses, you can prep this meal right in your slow cooker. Make a pot of fresh pasta and savor the results!

plate of sliced chicken parmesan with swirls of pasta noodles in a white bowl with a black fork next to a glass of red wine

What’s To Love About This Recipe

This recipe is a simpler version of classic chicken parmesan and doesn’t include any deep-frying in hot oils!
With flavorful marinara and lots of extra cheese, this is a recipe the whole family will love.
No need to watch the oven to get perfectly tender chicken!
Slow cooker chicken parmesan is easy to serve with either pasta or other sides such as potatoes and veggies.
The breading uses only a few ingredients and just takes a few minutes to assemble. It is slightly different than a deep-fried version, but the finished result is so flavorful!

Ingredients Needed

Olive oil – Drizzle a bit of olive oil on the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent the chicken and cheese from sticking to it.
Egg – Beat 1 extra large egg (or 2 medium eggs) to help the panko and seasonings stick to the chicken.
Panko bread crumbs – Choose regular or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. These create a light breaded coating for the chicken.
Grated parmesan cheese – Parmesan adds flavor to the breaded coating.
Seasonings – You only need Italian seasoning and salt to add to the breading mixture!
Chicken – This recipe will use 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, equaling about 1 – 1 ½ pounds total. I recommend using a large oval slow cooker to allow each piece of chicken to lay flat and cook evenly.
Shredded mozzarella cheese – Despite the name “chicken parm,” mozzarella is key to this recipe! Add some shredded mozzarella on top of the coated chicken.
Marinara sauce – Choose your favorite 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce. You might prefer an organic sauce or one with low sugar content.
Fresh mozzarella – Fresh mozzarella melts perfectly over the chicken in the slow cooker!
Shredded parmesan cheese – Yes, you want all the cheeses! Add a bit of shredded parmesan to top the fresh mozzarella and create the best cheesy layer over the chicken.
To serve and complete the meal, don’t forget freshly cooked pasta and fresh chopped basil!

pasta sauce, pasta, grated parmesan, shredded parmesan, seasoning, grated mozzarella, breadcrumbs, olive oil, salt, parmesan cheese and chicken

How To Make Chicken Parmesan In The Slow Cooker

Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of a large oval slow cooker.
Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl and beat them together (add a splash of water if needed to help combine).

In a separate shallow bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, and salt.
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg until coated, then transfer each piece to the bowl of panko mixture.

breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and seasoning in a glass bowl

bowl of egg mixture with a piece of chicken next to bowl of breadcrumbs

Press panko into each piece of chicken and arrange the pieces in a single layer across the bottom of the slow cooker.
Top the chicken completely with shredded mozzarella, then gently pour the entire jar of marinara sauce over the chicken and cheese.

slow cooker with breaded chicken parmesan pieces topped with shredded cheese and marinara sauce

Top each piece of chicken with 2 ounces of sliced fresh mozzarella, and then add the shredded parmesan cheese.

white slow cooker with layered ingredients for chicken parmesan topped with grated cheese and fresh mozzarella

Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours until the chicken is cooked through to 165 ℉.

white slow cooker with chicken parmesan topped with fresh basil

Remove the lid and allow the food to cool slightly before dishing out the chicken. (This prevents the chicken from falling apart when serving.)
The chicken will be nearly fall-apart tender and will not be crunchy like traditional chicken parmesan, but it will have all of the delicious flavor! Serve with pasta and fresh basil.

white bowl of sliced chicken parmesan next to a white slow cooker

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Chicken parmesan in the slow cooker is a bit different from the traditional, crispy version you might make in the oven, but the flavors are amazing!

If you prefer to skip the breading, you can simply season the chicken with Italian seasoning and salt and add the sauce and cheeses as directed.

This recipe includes a lot of extra sauce and is intended to be served with pasta. However, you can always heat extra marinara sauce, if desired. You might even enjoy extra dipping sauce for breadsticks or garlic bread! Chicken parmesan would also be amazing served over pasta tossed with alfredo sauce.

How To Serve Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is oh-so-tasty with pasta noodles such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. There are also lots of other low-carb options that work just as well!

Spaghetti squash is a delicious option, or you could serve chicken parm over sautéed zucchini or zucchini “zoodles.” I also love to broil grape tomatoes in the oven with vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper to top the chicken, pasta, and veggies.

If you’re not in the mood for pasta, another yummy option for cheesy chicken and marinara sauce is a side of Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Add some green veggies like Lemon Pepper Roasted Asparagus or a scrumptious Caesar salad and you’ll have a gourmet meal in no time!

forkful of chicken parmesan with spaghetti noodles swirled around fork

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover chicken parmesan either tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the chicken for up to 3 months (ensure all air is removed).

Thaw the leftover chicken before reheating. For best results, reheat in the oven or a toaster oven. You can also microwave in short increments or on a reduced power setting.