If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, effortless dinner that feels like a warm hug, then you’re going to love this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe. Seriously, it’s one of those dishes I make when I want something comforting but without all the fuss. Imagine tender chicken swimming in a luscious garlic parmesan sauce, creamy and cheesy with just the right amount of garlic punch—and all cooked together in your slow cooker while you get on with your day. Trust me, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and perfect for busy weeknights!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Convenience: Just throw everything in your Crock Pot and walk away—perfect for busy days.
Rich, Creamy Flavor: The blend of garlic, parmesan, and cream cheese makes every bite super comforting and indulgent.
Family-Friendly: My family literally goes crazy for this dish—it’s always requested at mealtimes.
Flexible Ingredients: Easy to tweak depending on what you have on hand or your personal taste preferences.

This close-up image shows a creamy pasta dish with three layers of rigatoni pasta coated in a thick beige sauce with herbs and spices. Small green parsley pieces are scattered on top, adding a fresh contrast. A wooden spoon is lifting some of the pasta, showing the smooth, creamy texture of the sauce and the well-cooked pasta tubes. The pasta shapes are tubular and slightly rough on the surface, covered evenly by the sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role in building that creamy, savory sauce that coats the chicken and pasta so perfectly. Plus, I’ve got some handy tips to make shopping feel easy-peasy.

Rotini Pasta: I love rotini because its twists grab onto that garlicky sauce so well, but you can use any pasta shape you like.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Make sure they’re fully thawed—this helps everything cook evenly in the slow cooker.
Cream Cheese: Cut it into small pieces so it melts smoothly into the sauce. Full-fat will give you that rich texture.
Minced Garlic: Fresh is best for that punch of flavor, but jarred works if you’re in a pinch.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan makes all the difference here; it melts nicer and tastes way better than pre-grated.
Garlic Parmesan Sauce: I usually use Buffalo Wild Wings’ garlic parmesan sauce—it’s easy to find and spot on for flavor.
Heavy Cream: This adds a silky finish that helps tie the whole dish together, so don’t skip it!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is. Over time, I’ve enjoyed tweaking it to fit different moods and dietary needs—feel free to make it your own!

Added Sun-Dried Tomatoes: I stumbled upon this variation by accident, and the slight tang cuts through the creaminess beautifully.
Crispy Bacon Crumbles: Adding bacon ups the flavor complexity and gives a nice crunch that everyone in my house freaks out over.
Gluten-Free Pasta: For gluten-sensitive friends, I swap the rotini for a gluten-free pasta, and it works like a charm without compromising texture.
Using Leftover Rotisserie Chicken: Don’t have time to cook chicken from scratch? This recipe is perfect to repurpose that rotisserie chicken chilling in your fridge.

How to Make Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Layer Your Ingredients in the Crock Pot

Start by placing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts right at the bottom of your slow cooker. I like this because it lets the chicken cook evenly in all that melty goodness. Next, scatter the cream cheese pieces evenly on top—cutting them into smaller chunks really helps them soften faster. Sprinkle the minced garlic and Parmesan cheese over everything, then pour your garlic parmesan sauce generously over the mix. This layering is key to building layers of flavor as everything slowly simmers together.

Step 2: Slow Cook and Shred

Cover your Crock Pot and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours or on low for 4½ to 5½ hours. The chicken should be tender enough to shred easily with two forks. Don’t rush this part! It’s okay if it takes a little longer—slow and steady is the name of the game here. When ready, carefully remove the chicken, shred it, then toss it back into the slow cooker with the heavy cream and stir to combine. This step makes the sauce silky and creamy.

Step 3: Cook Pasta and Combine

While the chicken finishes cooking, boil the rotini pasta according to package directions but aim for al dente since it will continue to soak sauce in the Crock Pot. Drain the pasta well and add it directly into your slow cooker with the shredded chicken sauce mixture. Stir everything until the pasta is nicely coated and creamy. This is when the magic really happens—beautifully coated pasta and chicken, perfectly garlicky and cheesy.

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Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Use Fresh Parmesan: I discovered this trick after a few tries—freshly grated Parmesan melts so much better and gives that authentic flavor punch.
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cooking it al dente prevents mushy pasta since it absorbs sauce in the final step.
Thaw Chicken Thoroughly: I’ve learned the hard way—starting with frozen chicken leads to uneven cooking and risk of unsafe temperature zones.
Layer Ingredients Thoughtfully: Putting cream cheese and Parmesan on top lets them dissolve slowly, ensuring creaminess throughout.

How to Serve Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

A bowl filled with creamy rigatoni pasta coated in a light beige sauce with small specks of black pepper and herbs, garnished with small green parsley leaves scattered on top. The rigatoni has a slightly ridged texture and is mixed evenly with the thick sauce. Around the bowl, fresh bright green parsley, a small pile of shredded cheese in a wooden dish, and three light brown breadsticks on a white marbled surface with a black and white cloth are visible. Two silver spoons rest beside the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top—its bright, herby notes balance out the richness perfectly. Sometimes I also add a few basil leaves when I have them on hand; both give the dish a fresh pop and look pretty too.

Side Dishes

This chicken pasta pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or a crisp Caesar salad for some texture contrast. Garlic bread or warm crusty rolls are also a must in my book—they’re perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve portions in small, oven-safe ramekins and broil a little mozzarella cheese on top for a bubbly, golden crust. It makes the dish feel a bit elevated and is always a big hit with guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay good for up to 3 days. Because of the creamy sauce, I give the pasta a gentle stir before storing to keep everything nicely coated.

Freezing

Freezing this dish works fine if you want to prep ahead. Just cool completely, portion it out into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. When thawed, you might notice the sauce separates a bit, but a quick stir while reheating brings it back to life.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if it’s thickened too much. Microwaving works too—just heat in intervals and stir in between to avoid dry spots.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe?

It’s best to avoid frozen chicken because it can cause uneven cooking and increase the risk of food safety issues. Always thaw your chicken fully before adding it to the slow cooker for reliable, tender results.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Rotini is ideal because its shape holds onto the creamy sauce well, but penne, fusilli, or even bowtie pasta would work great too. Just cook it al dente, so it keeps texture after mixing with the sauce.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free or low-fat?

You can try substituting cream cheese and heavy cream with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cream or coconut milk. Keep in mind the texture and flavor might vary, but it’s a good option for dairy-free diets.
How can I add extra veggies to this dish?

I love adding chopped spinach or sun-dried tomatoes stirred in during the last 30 minutes of cooking to bump up nutrients and color without changing the dish’s creamy texture.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe turns out every time—it’s like comfort food meets convenience. When I first tried slow cooking the chicken with cream cheese and garlic parmesan sauce, I was hooked by how easy it was to get dinner on the table with such little effort and big flavor payoff. If you want a no-fail, family-approved recipe that feels like a little restaurant-worthy treat but made at home, you seriously need to give this one a try. I promise you’ll be making it again and again!

Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 95 reviews

Author: Jessica
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

This Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a comforting and creamy slow cooker meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts are cooked slowly with garlic, cream cheese, and Parmesan, then combined with al dente rotini pasta and a rich garlic parmesan sauce for a flavorful, hearty dinner that’s easy to prepare and perfect for the whole family.

Ingredients

Chicken and Sauce

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz cream cheese, cut into eight pieces
3 tsp garlic, minced
½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
12 oz garlic parmesan sauce (Buffalo Wild Wings brand suggested)

Pasta and Finishing

1 lb rotini pasta, uncooked
1 cup heavy cream
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker to form the base layer.
Add Flavorings: Top the chicken with pieces of cream cheese, minced garlic, and finely grated Parmesan cheese to infuse creamy, cheesy flavors.
Pour Sauce: Pour the garlic parmesan sauce evenly over all the ingredients in the slow cooker.
Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours or on low for 4½ to 5½ hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks for a tender texture.
Mix in Cream and Chicken: Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and add the heavy cream, then stir everything well until combined and creamy.
Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain thoroughly to avoid excess moisture.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the crock pot with the chicken mixture, stirring gently to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil and serve warm for a delicious meal.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth melting.
Cook pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming too soft as it absorbs the sauce.
Enhance the dish by stirring in sun-dried tomatoes or crumbled bacon for extra texture and flavor.
Use fresh or fully thawed chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and safe internal temperatures; avoid using frozen meat in the slow cooker.
If you have leftover rotisserie chicken, this recipe is an excellent way to use it up.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil for a fresh aromatic finish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 580
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 750mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 42g
Cholesterol: 120mg