Craving classic chicken parmesan but don’t want to deal with all the breading and frying? This easy crockpot chicken parmesan pasta is the solution! By simmering chicken right in a rich tomato sauce, you get all the flavors of chicken parm without the hassle.
Chicken parmesan is usually made by coating chicken cutlets in breadcrumbs and cheese, frying them, and then baking in sauce and cheese. But who has the time for that on a busy weeknight? This recipe streamlines the process by using boneless chicken breasts cooked right in the sauce.
The result is fork-tender, juicy chicken infused with savory Italian flavors. No messy breading station required! Simply toss the crockpot chicken parm with hot pasta and cheese for an easy dinner the whole family will love.
This slow cooker chicken parmesan pasta means you can walk in the door after work to a hearty meal ready and waiting. The chicken cooks low and slow all day so it’s fall-off-the-bone tender. And the sauce thickens into a rich, scrumptious tomato sauce.
In just minutes, you can have a restaurant-worthy Italian dinner on the table. Kids and picky eaters will devour this cheesy pasta dish. And the hands-off convenience can’t be beat. Try this easy crockpot recipe and say goodbye to takeout chicken parm!
Reasons To Make Your Own Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Here are some of the best reasons to make this easy slow cooker chicken parmesan pasta at home:
- It’s faster than takeout or making traditional chicken parm – just toss everything in the crockpot and dinner is ready hours later.
- It’s more budget-friendly than ordering chicken parmesan, which can be expensive at restaurants.
- You control the ingredients when you make it yourself, so it’s healthier and less processed.
- No frying makes it easier on you – and healthier too!
- The chicken cooks up super juicy and tender after simmering for hours.
- Kids and picky eaters devour this cheesy pasta dish.
- It’s an easy dump-and-go recipe that requires minimal prep.
- This one-pot meal means less dishes to wash afterwards.
- You can customize it to your taste – add veggies, use gluten-free pasta, etc.
- It reheats beautifully, so you’ll have easy leftovers for days.
This crockpot chicken parmesan is simple, budget-friendly, and satisfies that comfort food craving. Skip takeout and make this easy recipe at home instead!
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Ingredients
This easy crockpot recipe comes together with simple ingredients you likely have on hand:
- Chicken breasts – Use boneless, skinless breasts cut into 1-inch pieces so they cook quickly.
- Marinara sauce – Look for your favorite flavorful jarred pasta sauce.
- Water – Adds a little liquid to help create a sauce.
- Italian seasoning – Gives that trademark Italian flavor.
- Garlic powder – Enhances flavor without needing fresh garlic.
- Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
- Penne pasta – Cooks quickly and holds sauce well. Or use your favorite pasta shape.
- Mozzarella cheese – For delicious melted cheese throughout.
- Grated parmesan – Sprinkle on top for even more richness.
That’s all you need for this easy crockpot dinner! The few ingredients come together to create a sauce infused with Italian flavor. Just toss with hot pasta and cheese for chicken parmesan the whole family will love.
Don’t have exactly what’s listed? Improvise with what you have! The beauty of this slow cooker chicken parmesan is customizing it to suit your taste and ingredients.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
This easy recipe comes together in just a few simple steps:
- Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and add to slow cooker.
- Pour in marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir everything together to coat the chicken in sauce.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours until chicken is cooked through.
- About 10 minutes before serving, cook pasta according to package directions.
- Drain pasta well then add it to the crockpot and stir to coat in sauce.
- Add shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan and stir until melted and combined.
- Serve chicken parmesan pasta warm, topped with extra Parmesan if desired.
That’s all there is to it! Let the slow cooker do the work while you go about your day. In just a few minutes of hands-on time, you’ll have a hearty chicken parmesan pasta dinner ready to enjoy.
You can prep the ingredients the night before for even easier dump-and-go cooking. This crockpot chicken parmesan recipe makes it so simple to get a flavorful homemade meal on the table any night of the week.
What to Serve with Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
This saucy chicken parmesan pasta is delicious on its own, but pair it with a few side dishes to round out the meal:
- Salad – Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers add freshness.
- Garlic bread – Warm, buttery bread is perfect for dipping.
- Steamed broccoli – Bright green veggie balances the richness.
- Wine – Pair with a medium bodied Chianti or Pinot Noir.
- Fruit – Grapes, melon, or strawberries make a sweet counterpoint.
With just a simple salad or veggie side, this becomes a fast and easy dinner. Or go all out with appetizers, wine, salad, and dessert for a special Italian meal.
Tips for Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Here are some tips and tricks for making the best slow cooker chicken parmesan pasta:
- Use chicken broth instead of water for more flavor.
- Add diced onions, mushrooms, peppers or spinach to the sauce.
- Use gluten-free or protein pasta for a healthy alternative.
- For a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Stir in chopped fresh basil, parsley or oregano before serving.
- To thicken the sauce, whisk in a slurry of cornstarch and water.
- Cook pasta al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when added to the crockpot.
- If reheating leftovers, add extra sauce to moisten it up.
- Garnish with chopped tomatoes or parmesan cheese before serving.
- Swap ground turkey or veggie crumbles for the chicken.
The great thing about this crockpot chicken parmesan recipe is that it’s very customizable. Change up the ingredients to suit your tastes or what you have on hand. The simple Italian-seasoned tomato sauce works well with any additions.
Let your slow cooker do the work while you’re out and come home to a hearty chicken parm pasta dinner the whole family will love!
How to Store Leftover Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
One of the bonuses of this easy crockpot recipe is getting to enjoy delicious leftovers! Here are some tips for storing them:
- Let the chicken parmesan pasta cool slightly before transferring to storage containers.
- Store in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags.
- Fridge leftovers for 3-4 days.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
- When reheating, add a splash of water or sauce to prevent drying out.
- Microwave individual portions to reheat.
- Sauté in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
- Stir often to evenly distribute sauce on pasta while reheating.
- Garnish with extra parmesan cheese before serving.
- Add fresh vegetables like spinach when reheating for extra flavor.
Properly stored, this slow cooker chicken parmesan will keep well for several days in the fridge or up to a few months in the freezer. Reheat portions as needed for quick meals throughout the week.
The sauce tends to thicken when chilled, so adding a little extra sauce or liquid when reheating helps moisten it back up. With just a few minutes to reheat, you can enjoy this hearty and comforting pasta dish again and again!
Equipment Needed
- 4-6 quart slow cooker
- Large pot for cooking pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1⁄4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 1⁄2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Place chicken, sauce, water, spices, salt, and pepper in slow cooker. Stir.
- Cook on low 4-6 hours until chicken is cooked through.
- About 10 minutes before serving, cook pasta according to package directions.
- Drain pasta then add to slow cooker along with cheeses.
- Stir well until combined and cheeses melted.
- Serve chicken parmesan pasta warm with extra parmesan.
Recipe Notes
Cooking time will depend on size of chicken pieces. Cook until chicken reaches 165°F. Can use ground turkey or veggies instead of chicken if desired.
Nutrition Information
Serves 4. Per serving:
- Calories: 550
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Protein: 43g
- Fat: 16g
Conclusion
This crockpot chicken parmesan pasta is an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. With minimal hands-on time, you can make a hearty Italian meal with tender chicken simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce.
Simply toss the crockpot chicken parmesan with hot pasta and cheese for a satisfying dish that tastes like you spent hours cooking. The slow cooker does all the work so you can skip the takeout and make this homemade instead.
Kids and adults alike will devour the cheesy pasta, juicy chicken, and flavorful sauce. Clean up is a breeze with just one pot to wash. Enjoy the leftovers for lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
For hassle-free chicken parmesan on a busy night, give this simple crockpot recipe a try!
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe FAQs
How long does it take for the liquid to be released?
The author mentions that after about 2 hours, a lot of liquid has been released from the chicken.
Does the author mention the quantity of water, spices, salt, and pepper to be added?
No, the author does not mention the quantity of water, spices, salt, and pepper to be added. Only the amount of sauce for the chicken is specified.
What could happen if more sauce is used?
If more sauce is used, the chicken would just be boiling. The author suggests that using more sauce would result in boiling the chicken, indicating that it is not recommended.
What is the visual representation of the chicken with the sauce before and after cooking?
The author provides a visual representation by showing a photo of the chicken with the sauce at the start of cooking and after 2 hours. The first photo shows the chicken with about 1/2 jar of sauce on top, while the second photo shows the chicken with a lot of liquid released.
How much sauce should be added to the slow cooker?
Only a little sauce should be added on top of the chicken before turning on the crock pot. The author suggests using about 1/2 jar of sauce for 4 pieces of chicken (2 large breasts cut in half).
How can I make Cheesy Chicken Alfredo?
To make a cheesy chicken alfredo, use alfredo sauce instead of marinara sauce in the crockpot chicken parmesan pasta recipe. You can also add extra shredded parmesan cheese when adding the pasta to the crockpot.
How do I melt the cheese on top of Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta?
To melt the cheese on top of the crockpot chicken parmesan pasta, sprinkle shredded mozzarella and/or parmesan over the pasta after cooking and let sit for 5-10 minutes with the lid off until the cheese melts. You can also broil the crockpot chicken parmesan pasta for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
How do I add the pasta to the chicken and sauce in the slow cooker?
Add the cooked pasta to the crockpot chicken parmesan pasta in the last 15-30 minutes of cooking so it can soak up some of the sauce. Make sure to stir it in gently to combine.
How do I shred the chicken for Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta?
Shred the chicken using two forks after it has cooked through for the crockpot chicken parmesan pasta. The chicken should shred very easily.
How long do I cook Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta?
Cook the crockpot chicken parmesan pasta on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Make sure the chicken is cooked through and the pasta is tender.
What ingredients do I need for Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta?
The main ingredients needed for crockpot chicken parmesan pasta are chicken breasts, pasta, jarred marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
How do I make Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta?
Follow these steps to make crockpot chicken parmesan pasta:
- Add chicken, marinara sauce, and seasonings to crockpot and cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours.
- Shred chicken using two forks.
- Stir in cooked pasta and shredded cheese, continuing to cook 15-30 mins until heated through.
- Top with additional cheese and broil if desired.
- Serve hot with any additional toppings
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