Hi I am Linda from Cook Daily Recipe and this creamy chicken pasta saved my Tuesday. I wanted easy crockpot recipes with few ingredients and I needed dinner that pretty much cooks itself. The sauce turns rich and cozy and the garlic smells like a hug that knows your schedule. I reach for simple ideas that fit 3 ingredient crockpot recipes and 5 ingredient recipes. I keep boneless skinless chicken breast recipes on repeat since the meat stays tender in a warm bath of cream cheese and parmesan. If you crave the best crockpot recipes this one earns a spot. For days when the clock sprints I treat it like one of my 3 hour crockpot recipes and it still tastes like a weekend win. We eat this straight from bowls and grin. I swirl the pasta and it feels silky and a little cheeky. Leftovers reheat like a charm so it lands on my list of best crockpot recipes dinners. Pull the lid and breathe in the garlic and herbs and try not to spoon the sauce before the pasta cooks. Will anyone know if a few bites go missing I doubt it and I am not asking.
Table of Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 Easy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- 3 Ingredients for Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- 4 How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- 5 Tips for Making Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- 6 Making Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Ahead of Time
- 7 Storing Leftover Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- 8 Try these Main Course next
- 9 Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- 10 Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I am Linda from Cook Daily Recipe and I cook this creamy bowl when time runs short and hunger runs loud. I lean on easy crockpot recipes with few ingredients and I say that again here since that phrase rides with this dish and it fits the way I shop and plan. I keep a calm pace and I get dinner that tastes like we fussed longer. I mention easy crockpot recipes with few ingredients one more time so readers see it upfront and know what to expect right away.
We use boneless chicken plus a jar of bright dressing plus cream cheese plus parmesan. Garlic lifts the scent and pasta brings comfort. The crockpot keeps the heat steady so the chicken stays tender and shreds with no fight. The sauce turns silky and clings to every curve of pasta. I serve bowls fast and I watch the steam curl and fade.
I value recipes that scale and travel. This one feeds a family night or a neighbor drop off. It plays nice with 3 ingredient crockpot recipes and it can sit in the set of best crockpot recipes dinners for busy weekdays. On Cook Daily Recipe you will find it linked on the home page where I share clear steps and plain talk.
2) Easy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
I like meals that start with a short list and give big comfort. This dish checks each box and brings the flavor you want without a long prep. I set the slow cooker and I walk away. The kitchen smells warm and a little cheesy and I grin. These easy crockpot recipes with few ingredients keep me steady on long days and they make weeknights feel soft around the edges.
We start with boneless skinless chicken breast recipes since that cut stays tender under low heat. Cream cheese melts and builds body. Parmesan adds salt and nuttiness. Garlic wakes the sauce. A bottle of creamy Italian dressing gives acid and herbs. Pasta slides in at the end and soaks up the sauce. That is the whole play and it works. For timing that fits errands I treat it like 3 hour crockpot recipes and it lands right on schedule.
I test this many times and I note that the sauce thickens as it rests. Save a bit of broth so you can loosen it to your taste. I share the full method on Cook Daily Recipe and you can always reach me through the contact page on www.cookdailyrecipes.com for tweaks. This sits near the top of my best crockpot recipes list and it sits near my set of 5 ingredient recipes for rushed nights.
3) Ingredients for Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Boneless skinless chicken breasts I use two pounds and I trim any excess fat. The meat cooks moist in the slow cooker and shreds with a fork. The cut tastes mild and carries the sauce well.
Creamy Italian dressing I pour a full bottle which brings brightness and herbs. The dressing balances the rich cheese and gives the sauce a clean finish that keeps bites lively.
Cream cheese I cut it into chunks so it melts even. It turns the sauce lush and smooth and helps it grip the pasta in every spoonful. No need for whisking on the stove.
Parmesan cheese I grate a cup fresh so it melts right and tastes nutty and sharp. Freshly grated cheese blends better and brings more aroma to the pot.
Fresh garlic I mince four cloves. The garlic softens in the heat and perfumes the sauce. The scent hits first and tells you dinner comes soon.
Italian seasoning I shake in a teaspoon for a simple blend that supports the dressing. The mix ties the flavors together without extra prep.
Kosher salt and black pepper I season with a light hand at the start and adjust at the end. The parmesan carries salt so taste before adding more.
Short pasta I like penne or rotini. The ridges catch the sauce and give texture in each bite. Cook until just tender so it holds shape in the bowl.
Low sodium chicken broth I keep a half cup ready to thin the sauce if it turns too thick after shredding the chicken. A small splash brings it back to silky.
Parsley I chop a handful for color and a fresh note on top. The green looks bright against the cream sauce and adds a garden lift.
4) How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Step one set the base Spray the crockpot. Lay the chicken in a single layer. Mix dressing cream cheese parmesan garlic seasoning salt and pepper in a bowl then pour over the chicken. The sauce will look thick and that is fine.
Step two cook low and slow Cover the pot. Cook on high for three hours or on low for five to six. The chicken should pull apart with a fork. The sauce will look glossy and smooth near the edges.
Step three shred and balance Shred the chicken right in the pot. Stir until the sauce turns even. If you need a looser texture add small splashes of broth and stir. Keep the lid on so the heat stays steady.
Step four cook the pasta Boil the pasta in salted water until just tender. Drain and add to the crockpot. Fold to coat the pasta. Rest for five minutes so the pasta drinks the sauce.
Step five finish and serve Taste and adjust with parmesan salt or pepper. Spoon into warm bowls. Top with parsley. That first bite should taste creamy garlicky and a little sharp from the cheese. This matches simple slow cooker recipes with few ingredients for nights when you need comfort fast.
5) Tips for Making Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Salt the pasta water well since that is the first chance to season the noodles. Pull the pasta when still firm so it stays springy under the sauce. Keep a cup of pasta water near the pot in case you want extra silk. Stir gently so the pasta holds shape and the sauce stays smooth.
For tidy prep cube the cream cheese before you start so it melts even. Grate parmesan fresh for better melt and more flavor. Taste before adding extra salt since the cheese brings plenty. If you like heat shake a pinch of red pepper flakes at the end and fold once.
I tag this under best crockpot recipes on Cook Daily Recipe since it wins with kids and grown ups. For busy evenings treat it like easy slow cooker dinners with few ingredients and you will feel that small win at the table. For a lighter touch swap part of the cream cheese with plain Greek yogurt and stir at the end off heat.
6) Making Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Ahead of Time
I prep the sauce parts a day early. I whisk dressing garlic seasoning and half the parmesan then chill. Next day I add the mix and the chicken to the crockpot and set the timer. When the chicken finishes I add the cream cheese and the rest of the parmesan for a smooth finish.
If you plan for a party cook the chicken and sauce earlier in the day. Hold warm on the low setting and add pasta when guests arrive. Keep broth nearby to refresh the sauce. This path fits the idea of minimal ingredient crockpot recipes for hosts who need room to breathe.
For weekday lunches portion bowls with chicken and sauce only. Add cooked pasta fresh each day so the texture stays lively. Pack parsley in a small container and sprinkle before you eat. The dish sits well and keeps flavor from the first day to the third.
7) Storing Leftover Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Spoon leftovers into shallow containers so they cool fast. Chill within two hours for best quality. The sauce will thicken in the fridge so plan to add a splash of broth or water when you reheat. Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave in short bursts with a stir between bursts.
Keep leftovers for up to four days. For longer storage place portions in freezer safe boxes. Freeze for one month. Thaw in the fridge and refresh with broth when you warm it. The flavor holds well and the sauce comes back to silky with a little patience.
For quick snacks load a small bowl and top with extra parmesan and fresh pepper. If you want greens fold in a handful of baby spinach during reheat and let the heat wilt it. The bowl eats like new and feels bright again. This one belongs with best crockpot recipes that reheat with grace.
8) Try these Main Course next
9) Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Easy Crockpot Recipes With Few Ingredients Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 bottle creamy Italian dressing or Olive Garden style dressing 16 ounces
- 8 ounces cream cheese cut into chunks
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces short pasta penne or rotini
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth as needed for thinning
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Spray the crockpot and place the chicken in an even layer.
- Stir dressing cream cheese parmesan garlic Italian seasoning salt and pepper in a bowl and pour over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks right in the pot and stir until smooth. Splash in broth if the sauce looks too thick.
- Boil the pasta in salted water to al dente then drain.
- Fold the pasta into the sauce and let it sit covered for 5 minutes so it soaks up flavor.
- Plate and finish with parsley and more parmesan.
10) Nutrition
I base the numbers on a sixth of the batch. One bowl lands near five hundred eighty five calories with a balance of protein carbs and fat. Protein sits high from the chicken so the meal satisfies and holds you until the next meal. Carbs from pasta bring energy for a walk or a post dinner task.
Sodium depends on the dressing and the cheese. Pick low sodium broth and taste before adding extra salt. If you want to trim fat swap part of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt and stir after cooking. Keep the heat low during reheat so the sauce stays creamy.
On Cook Daily Recipe I share more ways to balance bowls to fit your day. For a dairy free lane use a plant based cream cheese and a vegan style parmesan and choose a dressing that fits those needs. Flavor stays strong and texture stays smooth. Reach me on www.cookdailyrecipes.com if you need more help or notes.
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