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Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe – Easy Creamy Crockpot Dinner Magic

parmesan chicken pasta - featured image

This creamy parmesan chicken pasta is a comforting, crowd-pleasing crockpot dinner featuring tender chicken, rich cheesy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a simple, one-pot meal ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 12 ounces penne pasta (or rigatoni, rotini, or shells)
  • 1/4 cup extra parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: Lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from chicken breasts and pat dry. Place chicken in crockpot.
  2. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes over chicken. Add minced garlic.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, heavy cream, and softened cream cheese until mostly smooth. Pour over chicken.
  4. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese into crockpot, distributing evenly.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender (165°F internal temperature).
  6. About 20 minutes before chicken is done, boil a large pot of salted water. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente (10-12 minutes). Drain well.
  7. Remove cooked chicken from crockpot and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to crockpot and stir.
  8. Add drained pasta to crockpot and gently mix until coated in creamy sauce. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water or more broth if needed.
  9. Serve in bowls, topped with extra parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and cook separately. For low-carb, substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Add steamed broccoli, spinach, or cherry tomatoes for extra veggies. Blend cream cheese and parmesan for a smoother sauce. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: parmesan chicken pasta, crockpot chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, slow cooker dinner, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, one-pot meal