When life gets busy, nothing beats a slow-cooked, creamy, and savory pasta dish that practically cooks itself. Enter Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, a meal that combines rich flavors and effortless cooking. This dish delivers tender chicken, a decadent Parmesan garlic sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, making it the ideal recipe for busy weeknights or cozy weekends at home.
In this article, we’ll break down the ingredients, provide detailed instructions, and offer helpful tips to ensure your Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta turns out perfectly every time. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
What Makes Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta So Special?
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta stands out for a few key reasons:
- Effortless Cooking: With minimal prep and a crockpot doing most of the work, you can focus on other tasks or relax while dinner comes together.
- Rich, Creamy Sauce: The combination of Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, and the Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce creates an irresistibly creamy and flavorful sauce.
- Customizable Ingredients: You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your taste preferences, dietary needs, or available ingredients.
The beauty of this dish is its simplicity, yet it tastes like something you’d get from a fancy restaurant. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather these simple ingredients, and you’re on your way to a meal that’s sure to become a household favorite.
- 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: These provide the perfect base for soaking up all the garlicky goodness of the sauce.
- 1 (12 oz.) Bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce: This sauce adds a punch of flavor that makes the dish shine.
- 1 cup Milk: Blends with the sauce to create a silky, smooth texture.
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese (cut into blocks): Gives the sauce its rich, creamy consistency.
- 1 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, cheesy flavor that elevates the dish.
- 12 oz. Pasta: You can choose your preferred type, but penne, fusilli, or rotini work exceptionally well.
Step-by-Step Directions
Ready to make your kitchen smell amazing? Here’s how to bring this dish to life:
1. Layer the Chicken in the Crockpot
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and absorbs the flavors of the sauce.
2. Add the Parmesan Garlic Sauce
Pour the entire bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce over the chicken. This step is crucial because the sauce will seep into the chicken, making it tender and flavorful.
3. Shake and Pour the Milk
Fill the sauce bottle with milk, shake it up, and pour it into the crockpot. This ensures you get every last bit of sauce from the bottle and helps create a smooth, creamy base.
4. Add Cream Cheese and Parmesan
Next, add the cream cheese (cut into blocks) and sprinkle in the shredded Parmesan. Stir everything together so that the chicken is well-coated with the cheesy mixture.
5. Cook on Low or High
Set your crockpot to low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours, depending on how much time you have. The chicken should cook until it’s tender and easy to shred.
6. Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is done, use two forks to shred it directly in the crockpot. This will allow the shredded chicken to fully absorb the creamy garlic sauce.
7. Cook the Pasta
While the chicken is finishing, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Penne, rotini, or even spaghetti can be used, depending on what you have on hand.
8. Combine and Serve
After the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the crockpot. Stir everything together until the chicken and pasta are coated in the delicious sauce. Serve hot, and watch it disappear!
Notes and Tips for Success
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-shredded, giving the sauce a smoother consistency.
- Double the Recipe: If you’re feeding a crowd or want leftovers for the week, you can easily double the ingredients. Just make sure your crockpot is large enough.
- Add Veggies: For a more balanced meal, toss in some spinach or broccoli during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Creamier Sauce: Want an even creamier sauce? Add a splash of heavy cream or a little more cream cheese at the end.
Nutritional Information & Health Benefits
Curious about how this dish stacks up nutritionally? Here’s a breakdown of the key nutrients in each serving.
Nutrition Details:
- Serving: 1
- Calories: 480
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Vitamin A: 15%
- Calcium: 30%
- Iron: 10%
Health Benefits:
- High in Protein: With 30 grams of protein per serving, this dish is great for building muscle and keeping you full longer.
- Good Source of Calcium: The Parmesan and cream cheese offer a solid boost of calcium, supporting strong bones.
- Customizable: Swap out the regular pasta for whole grain or gluten-free options to suit your dietary needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can! If you’re using frozen chicken breasts, just add an extra hour or two to the cooking time to ensure they cook through properly.
Absolutely! If you can’t find the Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce, feel free to substitute it with Alfredo sauce or a homemade garlic Parmesan sauce.
Yes! You can prepare the sauce and chicken ahead of time, then simply reheat and add fresh pasta when you’re ready to serve.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk to keep the sauce creamy.
Penne, fusilli, or rotini are all great choices because their shapes hold onto the sauce. However, feel free to use any pasta you have on hand.
Make It Your Own
One of the best things about this recipe is how customizable it is. Want to add more veggies? Go for it. Prefer to spice things up with a little heat? Add some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. The possibilities are endless, and the results are always delicious.
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the perfect meal for those looking for something creamy, flavorful, and easy to make. It’s comforting, satisfying, and incredibly versatile—whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a crowd. So, next time you’re in need of a quick and delicious dinner, give this recipe a try. You won’t regret it!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a must-try for anyone who loves flavorful, creamy dishes that are simple to prepare. With its rich sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your home. Plus, it’s customizable and can be easily adapted to suit any taste preferences or dietary needs. Don’t hesitate—try it today, and enjoy the deliciousness that this dish has to offer!
More Relevant Recipes
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Crockpot Pumpkin Cobbler with Cake Mix
- Crockpot Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish where tender chicken is slow-cooked in a flavorful Parmesan garlic sauce, combined with pasta for a comforting and easy-to-make meal.
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz.) Bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce
- 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup Milk
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese, (Cut into Blocks)
- 1 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 12 oz. Pasta
Instructions
- Place chicken in the bottom of the crockpot: Start by layering the boneless skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.
- Add the Parmesan Garlic Sauce: Pour the entire bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce over the chicken. You’ll already start to smell how delicious this is going to be!
- Shake and pour the milk: Fill the empty sauce bottle with milk and shake it to get every last drop of flavor. Pour this into the crockpot to help create that creamy sauce.
- Add cream cheese and Parmesan cheese: Next, toss in your cream cheese blocks and sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together to coat the chicken evenly.
- Set your crockpot: Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the chicken: After cooking, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot. Mix it thoroughly with the sauce.
- Cook your pasta: While the chicken finishes up, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain and pour it into the crockpot.
- Combine and serve: Stir the pasta into the garlic Parmesan chicken until everything is well combined. Serve hot, and enjoy the ultimate comfort meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (on low)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes, Creamy Parmesan Chicken, Crockpot Pasta Dinner, Garlic Chicken Pasta