Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a recipe that circulates online year after year because it’s just that delicious! Use the slow cooker to make a hearty, cheesy pasta without lots of effort. It’s a protein-rich, filling meal that everyone in the family will devour!

What’s To Love About This Recipe

• Cheesy, creamy, hearty pasta. What’s more to love? Seriously, this recipe is near the top of the comfort food list, and because of the chicken, it makes a complete meal!
• Making pasta in the slow cooker can save you some effort and time by not having to boil water or wash an extra pan. It’s not totally hands-off since you will need to stir it a couple of times, but your whole meal will be ready to go in the slow cooker! 
• Many versions of this dish include premade sauce or “cream-style” canned soups. My simple recipe will walk you through how to make the dish completely from scratch so you can enjoy the carb-y deliciousness without bothering with preservatives, high-sodium levels, or unnecessary ingredients.
• It’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t love some version of mac and cheese. With lots of shredded chicken, the meal is very filling and full of extra protein, too!

Ingredients Needed  

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts – Chicken breasts are a lean option that cook well in the slow cooker. After they are done cooking, the chicken shreds so easily!
• Chicken broth – Broth will create the base for the cheesy sauce and provide the liquid to cook the pasta.
• Jarred minced garlic – Garlic is one of the signature flavors in this recipe, and it balances the richness of the cheesy sauce.
• Garlic powder – Garlic powder adds another layer of deep flavor that keeps the chicken from turning out bland.
• Salt and Pepper – Add some salt and pepper to the seasoning to create a nice balance.
• Pasta noodles – Use 16 ounces of pasta noodles, which is typically a standard-size box or package. Choose your favorite dry pasta shape! My favorite options are cavatappi, rotini, or penne noodles.
• Shredded parmesan cheese – Shredded parmesan (not grated) melts into the sauce well and provides a stronger element in the cheese sauce.
• Cream cheese – Cream cheese is essential for creating a smooth, cheesy sauce that fully coats the chicken and the noodles.
• Heavy cream – Heavy cream will make the pasta luxurious and keep the sauce thick!

How To Make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta 

1. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and add broth, garlic, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for about 2-3 hours until the chicken is fully cooked.

3. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.

4. Add noodles, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and cream to the slow cooker along with the shredded chicken.

5. Stir well to coat and combine noodles.

6. Cover and cook on high for 30-60 minutes (stir once or twice during this time for best results).
7. Pasta is done when the liquid is absorbed, and pasta is al dente – or softer if you prefer. You can add more liquid if necessary, adding 1/2 cup at a time. An extra splash of milk or cream before serving will make it really creamy.
8. Stir and serve immediately. 

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you prefer darker meat, you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs and get some added flavor.
• Add a teaspoon of dried herbs, a mixed Garlic and Herb Seasoning, or Italian seasoning to vary the flavor.
• For a bit of spice, add some ground black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
• You can use any dried noodles that you like! A shorter noodle that can stick to the sauce will give you the best results. 

Note:  This recipe has only been tested with regular pasta since gluten-free pasta can be more challenging to cook this way. If you need a gluten-free option, I suggest adjusting the time to cook the chicken, removing some of the broth after cooking, and then adding the remaining ingredients as directed. Serve the creamy, cheesy chicken over separately cooked gluten-free noodles.

How To Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

You definitely don’t need to feel guilty about indulging in a heaping portion of chicken pasta as your complete meal. However, if you’d like a few veggies to balance your plate, I have some great options! Try roasting some broccoli or carrots in the oven while the pasta cooks, and even add some Spicy Brussels Sprouts at the same time.

A crunchy garden or Caesar salad would also be delicious. And if you just need some kid-friendly options, there’s nothing wrong with a tray of raw veggies and Homemade Ranch!

Storing and Reheating

This is a great recipe to make for leftovers when you need a super-filling, comforting meal at home. Store leftover chicken pasta in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

This may shock you, but this dish also freezes really well (I’ve tried it!). I like to portion the pasta into Souper Cubes, freeze it, and then pop the portions into freezer bags. This way, it makes it easy for my kids to reheat the individual servings. 

Reheat in the microwave, pausing to stir throughout. 

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Jennifer Draper

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a recipe that circulates online year after year because it’s just that delicious! Use the slow cooker to make a hearty, cheesy pasta without lots of effort. It’s a protein-rich, filling meal that everyone in the family will devour!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 463 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons jarred minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 16 oz pasta noodles choose your favorite
• 8 oz shredded parmesan cheese
• 4 oz cream cheese
• ¼ heavy cream

Instructions

 

• Place chicken in slow cooker and add broth, garlic, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for about 2-3 hours until chicken is fully cooked
• Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks
• Add noodles, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and cream to slow cooker along with shredded chicken
• Stir well to coat and combine noodles
• Cover and cook on high for 30-60 minutes (stir once or twice during this time for best results)
• Pasta is done when liquid is absorbed, and pasta is al dente – or softer if you prefer. Add more liquid if necessary (1/2 cup at a time). An extra splash of milk or cream before serving will make it really creamy.
• Stir and serve immediately

Notes

• Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Souper Cubes makes it easy to portion servings to freeze and then reheat individually.
• Reheat single portions in the microwave.
• Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
• This recipe has only been tested with regular pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 463kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 31gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 710mgPotassium: 496mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 453IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 287mgIron: 1mg

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Important nutritional disclaimer

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta FAQs 

• Is it better to cook the pasta in the slow cooker or make it separately? This recipe is designed to cook the pasta in the slow cooker. Every slow cooker varies slightly, so it’s important to stir a few times and test the pasta to ensure it cooks to al dente or the desired texture.
• What should be done if the completed recipe turns out too thick? If the recipe turns out too thick, add an additional splash of milk, broth, or cream to the slow cooker and allow it to heat through.
• Is there a store-bought Garlic Parmesan Sauce that could be used in this recipe? Most grocery stores will carry a garlic parmesan wing sauce that can be used as a variation for this recipe. You could use it in place of the cream cheese and garlic but you may need to adjust the seasonings to taste.
• Can frozen chicken be used? The chicken should not be added to the slow cooker frozen. Defrost it before cooking.
• Can this recipe be made in the Instant Pot? To make this chicken in the Instant Pot, alter a few steps:
  • Add chicken, broth, and seasonings to the Instant Pot, seal, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Remove the chicken and shred it.
  • Drain about ½ cup of the remaining liquid, return the chicken to the pot, then add the remaining ingredients (minus the pasta). Turn on sauté mode and stir until the cheeses are smooth and melted.
  • Cook noodles separately, then stir to combine with the chicken in a separate dish before serving.

More Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes

• Slow Cooker Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
• Slow Cooker Sausage Pasta Bake
• Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti
• Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Chickpea Pasta
• Slow Cooker White Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese