Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier and more delicious with this incredible Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe.
Imagine tender chicken, perfectly cooked penne pasta, and a rich, savory sauce all mingling together in your slow cooker, creating a dish that’s both comforting and incredibly satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table happy, from the pickiest eaters to the busiest adults.
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it a true game-changer for busy families. Simply toss your ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it until dinner time. You’ll come home to a warm, inviting aroma and a hearty meal ready to serve.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe offers a comforting and satisfying meal with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken, penne pasta, and a rich marinara sauce are slow-cooked to perfection, making it a family-friendly dish that’s easy to prepare and clean up.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare the Chicken and Aromatics: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Scatter the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the chicken.
2. 2. Add the Sauce and Seasonings: Pour the entire jar of marinara sauce and the can of undrained diced tomatoes over the chicken and aromatics. Sprinkle the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) over the sauce. Pour in the chicken broth.
3. 3. Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shredded with a fork when it’s done.
4. 4. Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stirring it into the sauce.
5. 5. Stir in the Pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta directly into the slow cooker with the shredded chicken and sauce. Stir well to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid.
6. 6. Finish Cooking the Pasta: Cover the slow cooker again and continue to cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
7. 7. Add the Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Replace the lid for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You’ll see a beautiful, gooey layer of cheese forming.
8. 8. Serve and Garnish: Ladle generous portions into bowls. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low
- Category: main dish
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: italian-american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Keywords: chicken, parmesan, pasta, slow cooker, weeknight, easy, comfort food, family meal, one pot, marinara
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a true lifesaver for anyone looking to simplify their dinner routine without sacrificing taste. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a homemade meal but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The beauty of the slow cooker is that it does most of the work for you, gently simmering the chicken and sauce to perfection, resulting in incredibly tender meat and a deeply flavored sauce. It’s a fantastic option for families because it’s a crowd-pleaser – who can resist chicken, pasta, and cheese? Plus, it’s a one-pot (or rather, one-crock) meal, which means less cleanup, a huge win in any household. Serve it after a long day at work, before sports practice, or simply when you’re craving a hearty, comforting dish that feels like a warm hug.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this dish is straightforward, and most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. We’re focusing on simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a robust and satisfying meal. Don’t feel pressured to buy expensive specialty items; the magic here is in the combination and the slow cooking process.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
When it comes to substitutions, this recipe is quite forgiving. If you prefer chicken thighs, they work wonderfully and tend to stay even more moist in the slow cooker. For the marinara sauce, use your favorite brand – a good quality sauce will elevate the dish, but any standard jarred sauce will do. If you don’t have penne pasta, ziti or rotini would be good alternatives. For a creamier sauce, you could stir in a splash of heavy cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese at the end, though it’s delicious as is. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference, or omit them entirely if you’re serving young children.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is a fantastic example of how a slow cooker can save you time and effort in the kitchen. While the cooking time is longer, your active participation is minimal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (depending on your slow cooker setting)
The majority of the time is hands-off, allowing you to go about your day while your dinner cooks itself. This makes it ideal for meal prepping in the morning before work or school.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.
- Prepare the Chicken and Aromatics: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Scatter the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the chicken. This ensures the flavors infuse throughout the dish.
- Add the Sauce and Seasonings: Pour the entire jar of marinara sauce and the can of undrained diced tomatoes over the chicken and aromatics. Sprinkle the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) over the sauce. Pour in the chicken broth.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shredded with a fork when it’s done.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stirring it into the sauce.
- Stir in the Pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta directly into the slow cooker with the shredded chicken and sauce. Stir well to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid.
- Finish Cooking the Pasta: Cover the slow cooker again and continue to cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
- Add the Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Replace the lid for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You’ll see a beautiful, gooey layer of cheese forming.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle generous portions into bowls. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce or omit the red pepper flakes entirely and use a milder marinara sauce. Kids often love the combination of pasta, chicken, and melted cheese, making this an instant hit.
If you want to add more vegetables, consider stirring in some fresh spinach during the last 15 minutes of cooking, or adding diced bell peppers along with the onion at the beginning. For a heartier meal, you could brown some Italian sausage and add it to the slow cooker along with the chicken.
This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad and some crusty garlic bread for soaking up all that delicious sauce. It’s perfect for a casual family dinner, but also impressive enough to serve when you have guests over. You can even set up a “pasta bar” with various toppings like extra Parmesan, fresh basil, or a sprinkle of chili flakes for those who like a little extra kick.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple slow cooker recipe, a few common mistakes can occur. Knowing how to avoid them will ensure your Chicken Parmesan Pasta turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent issue is overcooking the pasta. Unlike stovetop pasta, slow cooker pasta can go from al dente to mushy very quickly. To prevent this, add the pasta only towards the end of the cooking cycle and check it frequently after about 20 minutes. You want it tender but still with a slight bite.
Another common mistake is not having enough liquid for the pasta. Pasta absorbs a lot of liquid as it cooks. Ensure your chicken broth and marinara sauce are sufficient to cover the pasta. If the sauce seems too thick before adding the pasta, you can add a little extra chicken broth or water to ensure the pasta cooks properly.
Under-seasoning can also be a pitfall. While the marinara sauce provides a lot of flavor, don’t forget the dried herbs like oregano and basil. A little salt and pepper (to taste, especially after shredding the chicken) can also make a big difference. Taste the sauce before adding the pasta and adjust as needed.
Finally, lifting the lid too often during the main cooking phase (before adding pasta) can extend the cooking time significantly. Each time you lift the lid, the temperature inside the slow cooker drops, adding about 20-30 minutes to the cooking time. Resist the urge to peek until the chicken is tender.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a fantastic candidate for meal prepping and storing leftovers. To store, allow the pasta to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, you might notice the pasta has absorbed more of the sauce and can be a bit drier. To restore its creamy texture, add a splash of chicken broth or water before reheating. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
