Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

If you’re looking to wow your family or impress guests with minimal effort, you have to try Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. This rich and creamy dish combines tender chicken breasts, a tangy garlic parmesan sauce, hearty baby potatoes, and perfectly cooked rotini pasta, all tossed together to create the ultimate comfort food. Each bite is bursting with flavor, and the best part is your slow cooker does most of the work. Trust me, after one taste, you’ll understand why this is a true weeknight winner!

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this recipe is how such simple, accessible ingredients come together to make a show-stopping meal. Each addition plays a starring role in building flavor, creaminess, and that irresistible, golden finish you’ll crave.

  • Whole milk: Adds a luxurious creaminess that perfectly balances the rich sauce.
  • Heavy cream: For extra decadence and a silky-smooth finish.
  • Cream cheese (cubed): Melts into the sauce, contributing major creaminess and a light tang.
  • Cream of chicken soup: Brings comforting, savory depth and ties the sauce together.
  • Garlic parmesan wing sauce: The flavor powerhouse—zesty, bold, and packed with garlicky punch (look for the Wild Buffalo Wings brand if you can).
  • Colby jack cheese (shredded): It melts beautifully, adding mild, melty cheesiness and gorgeous color.
  • Sweet onion (finely diced): Lends subtle sweetness and tender bites throughout.
  • Baby red potatoes (quartered): Hearty and filling, they soak up all that delicious sauce.
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cook up tender and juicy in the slow cooker—perfect for shredding.
  • Rotini pasta: The spiraled shape does wonders for catching every bit of sauce.
  • Parsley (for garnish): The freshness livens up each serving and adds a bright pop of color.

How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Make the Creamy Sauce Base

Set up your slow cooker (a 6-8 quart model works best) and pour in the whole milk, heavy cream, cubed cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, zesty garlic parmesan wing sauce, and shredded Colby jack cheese. Stir everything together until you have a lusciously creamy mixture—don’t worry if the cream cheese isn’t fully melted, it will smooth out as it cooks!

Step 2: Add Veggies for Hearty Texture

Next, stir in your finely diced sweet onion and quartered baby red potatoes. These will get deliciously tender as they cook and make the Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta extra satisfying and filling. Every bite gets a bit of sweetness and a soft bite from the potatoes—total comfort food vibes!

Step 3: Nestle the Chicken

Lay the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a single layer on top of the sauce mixture. Use a spoon to scoop some sauce right over each piece so they’re fully coated. This step ensures the chicken gets infused with all that garlicky, cheesy goodness from the very start.

Step 4: Relax While It Cooks

Set your slow cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. This is when the magic happens—the chicken gets unbelievably juicy, potatoes cook through, and the sauce flavours meld together into something extraordinary. Try not to peek too often; keeping the lid closed helps keep everything tender!

Step 5: Prepare the Pasta

About 20 minutes before the cook time is up, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your rotini pasta according to the package instructions (usually around 10 minutes for that perfect al dente bite). Drain the pasta well and resist the urge to rinse—starchy noodles cling to the sauce so much better!

Step 6: Shred and Combine

Once your chicken is fully cooked, use two forks to shred it right in the slow cooker. Toss it gently with the potatoes and that now silky sauce, making sure every bite gets coated in flavor. This is one of the most satisfying steps, as the whole dish really comes together.

Step 7: Mix in Pasta

Add the drained rotini directly into the slow cooker and give everything a good, thorough stir. You want every piece of pasta and potato enveloped in that creamy, cheese-laden sauce and juicy chicken.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Spoon your Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta into bowls, then sprinkle each serving with fresh chopped parsley. The vibrant green looks beautiful, and that fresh pop of flavor is the finishing touch!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the power of a simple garnish. A sprinkle of fresh parsley is classic, but you can also add a dusting of extra parmesan, a little cracked black pepper, or even some diced chives for a twist. Not only does garnish add color, it freshens up each bite and makes your Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta look truly irresistible.

Side Dishes

This rich, creamy pasta loves a simple green salad or some roasted vegetables on the side to balance everything out. I also love serving it with warm garlic bread or a crunchy baguette—perfect for soaking up every last drop of that garlicky sauce! If you’re feeding a crowd, a fruit salad or steamed broccoli rounds out the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual weeknight, ladle the pasta straight from the slow cooker onto plates. Want to elevate your presentation? Try serving it in individual pasta bowls with a twist of parmesan on top, or even in hollowed-out sourdough bread bowls for a cozy, restaurant-style touch. You can also portion it out into ramekins and top with a bit of Colby jack, then broil for a mini baked pasta moment.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta keeps well covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in a well-sealed container, and if it thickens a bit, just add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to bring back that luscious, creamy texture.

Freezing

This pasta is surprisingly freezer friendly! Cool the dish completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best texture, especially since dairy-based sauces can sometimes separate.

Reheating

To reheat, simply microwave individual portions with a splash of milk or warm slowly on the stove top over low heat, stirring gently until hot and creamy again. Stirring occasionally ensures the sauce stays smooth and the pasta doesn’t stick.

FAQs

Can I use a different shape of pasta?

Absolutely! While rotini does a fantastic job of catching the sauce, you can substitute penne, fusilli, or farfalle with great results—just adjust cooking times according to the package instructions.

What’s the best way to shred the chicken?

Shredding directly in the slow cooker with two forks works beautifully and keeps things simple, but if you’re in a hurry, you can remove the chicken and use a hand mixer to shred quickly before returning it to the pot.

Is there a substitute for the garlic parmesan wing sauce?

If you can’t find the bottled sauce, mix together 1 cup of Alfredo sauce with 1 or 2 tablespoons of finely minced garlic and extra grated parmesan. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but it’ll get you close in a pinch!

Can I make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work just as well, staying ultra-juicy and tender after hours in the slow cooker. Just be sure to trim any excess fat before cooking.

Can I add vegetables or other mix-ins?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in a handful of baby spinach, some chopped bell pepper, or even sun-dried tomatoes in the last 30 minutes of cooking for even more color and flavor variation.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve tried Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, you’ll see just how easy, crowd-pleasing, and comforting this recipe can be. I can’t wait for you to dive in and share this creamy goodness with your favorites—give it a try and let the slow cooker magic do the rest!

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Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe


  • Author: Ethan
  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes – 6 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe is a creamy and flavorful dish that is perfect for a comforting family meal. The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and pasta creates a satisfying one-pot meal that is easy to prepare in the slow cooker.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Sauce:

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  • 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup
  • 12 oz. bottle garlic parmesan wing sauce
  • 1 cup Colby jack cheese, shredded

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 cup diced sweet onion, finely diced
  • 1 lb. baby red potatoes, quartered
  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 16 oz. rotini pasta
  • parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a 6-8 quart crock pot, combine milk, heavy cream, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, garlic parmesan wing sauce, and Colby jack cheese.
  2. Add Ingredients: Stir in diced sweet onion and quartered red potatoes.
  3. Add Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the crock pot and coat with sauce.
  4. Cook: Set crockpot to high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
  5. Cook Pasta: Boil rotini noodles separately 20 minutes before the end of cook time.
  6. Shred Chicken: Shred chicken with forks and mix with sauce.
  7. Combine: Add boiled noodles to the crock pot and mix well.
  8. Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

  • Feel free to adjust the level of garlic parmesan wing sauce to suit your taste.
  • Ensure chicken is cooked through before serving.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-6 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 560
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, Crockpot Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta

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