Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken – Easy Weeknight Dinner

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

This creamy garlic Parmesan chicken is the ultimate comfort food that practically cooks itself. With minimal prep work and maximum flavor, this crockpot dish delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen. Perfect for busy weeknights, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of that luxurious sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Add chicken breasts to your crockpot and season with salt and pepper.
2. In a small bowl, mix together minced garlic, butter, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
3. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the chicken.
4. Add chicken broth around the chicken.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours until chicken is cooked through.
6. Remove chicken and shred or cut into pieces.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
8. Turn crockpot to high and stir in the cornstarch mixture.
9. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth.
10. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir well.
11. Cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes until sauce thickens.
12. Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.

Practical Tips

Thicken the sauce perfectly: The cornstarch slurry is essential for achieving that silky, thick sauce. Make sure to whisk it well before adding to prevent lumps from forming in your creamy sauce.

Don’t skip the searing step: While optional, quickly searing the chicken breasts in a hot pan before adding to the crockpot adds extra depth of flavor and helps seal in juices.

Customize your toppings: For extra flavor, add sun-dried tomatoes or fresh spinach to the sauce during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley also brighten the dish beautifully.

How to Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months when stored in a freezer-safe container.

Common Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully and stay juicier during the long cooking process. You may need to add an extra 30 minutes to the cooking time on low heat.

Is it necessary to use heavy cream? Heavy cream creates the authentic creamy texture, but you can substitute with half-and-half or a combination of sour cream and milk for a lighter version, though the flavor will be slightly different.

What if my sauce is too thin after cooking? Simply make another cornstarch slurry and stir it in while the crockpot is on high, cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes until you reach your desired thickness.