Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier with this incredible slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes recipe.
Imagine coming home to the aroma of tender chicken and perfectly cooked potatoes, all infused with savory garlic and rich Parmesan cheese. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, designed for busy families who crave delicious, homemade meals without the fuss.
This recipe truly shines for its minimal effort and maximum flavor, making it one of the best slow cooker options for dinner. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers every time, perfect for those evenings when you need a hearty, satisfying dish that practically cooks itself.
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
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes recipe offers tender chicken and perfectly cooked potatoes infused with savory garlic and rich Parmesan cheese. It’s a minimal-effort, maximum-flavor comfort food, ideal for busy weeknights and family meals.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken and Potatoes: Start by patting your chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them absorb the seasonings better. Quarter your small potatoes into roughly equal-sized pieces. If using larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch chunks.
2. Whisk the Flavorful Coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This mixture is where all the incredible flavor comes from.
3. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the quartered potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker. Arrange the chicken pieces over the potatoes. Pour the prepared garlic parmesan mixture evenly over the chicken and potatoes, making sure everything is well coated.
4. Add Liquid and Cook: Pour the chicken broth or water into the slow cooker. This provides moisture and helps create a delicious sauce. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through, and the potatoes are soft.
5. Check for Doneness: The chicken should shred easily with a fork, and the potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork. If not, continue cooking for a bit longer.
6. Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, gently stir the contents of the slow cooker to distribute the sauce. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours
- Category: main dish
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Keywords: chicken, potatoes, garlic, parmesan, slow cooker, weeknight, comfort food, easy, family, dinner
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes recipe is a true lifesaver for anyone juggling a busy schedule. What makes it so fantastic is its simplicity; you spend mere minutes on prep, and your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. It’s perfect for families with picky eaters, as the flavors are universally appealing and comforting. The chicken comes out incredibly tender, practically falling apart, while the potatoes absorb all the delicious garlic and Parmesan goodness, becoming soft and flavorful. This dish is ideal for weeknight dinners when you need a reliable, hearty meal that doesn’t require constant attention. It’s also a fantastic option for game day gatherings or potlucks, as it feeds a crowd and keeps warm beautifully.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this recipe is straightforward, focusing on pantry staples and fresh produce you likely already have on hand. The beauty of this dish lies in its simple components coming together to create something truly delicious.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1.5 pounds small red or Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap out chicken breasts for thighs, or a mix of both, depending on your preference. Thighs tend to stay a bit more moist in the slow cooker. If you don’t have small potatoes, larger ones can be cut into 1-inch chunks. Feel free to use pre-minced garlic in a pinch, though fresh garlic always offers a more vibrant flavor. Any brand of grated Parmesan will work well here, but for an extra boost of flavor, consider freshly grated Parmesan. If you’re out of Italian seasoning, a blend of dried oregano, basil, and thyme will do the trick.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal hands-on time, making it perfect for busy days.
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 slow cooker setting)
The majority of the time is hands-off, allowing you to go about your day while your slow cooker works its magic.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious slow cooker meal is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.
- Prepare the Chicken and Potatoes: Start by patting your chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them absorb the seasonings better. Quarter your small potatoes into roughly equal-sized pieces. If using larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch chunks.
- Whisk the Flavorful Coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This mixture is where all the incredible flavor comes from.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the quartered potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker. Arrange the chicken pieces over the potatoes. Pour the prepared garlic parmesan mixture evenly over the chicken and potatoes, making sure everything is well coated.
- Add Liquid and Cook: Pour the chicken broth or water into the slow cooker. This provides moisture and helps create a delicious sauce. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through, and the potatoes are soft.
- Check for Doneness: The chicken should shred easily with a fork, and the potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork. If not, continue cooking for a bit longer.
- Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, gently stir the contents of the slow cooker to distribute the sauce. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes recipe is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can add a handful of frozen peas or corn during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra veggies and color. If you prefer a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to the seasoning mix.
For a heartier meal, consider adding other root vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes, cut into similar-sized pieces as the potatoes, at the beginning of the cooking process. This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or some steamed green beans for a complete meal. For a party or buffet, serve it directly from the slow cooker to keep it warm, offering a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Optional toppings like a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh chives can elevate the flavors even further.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even the simplest recipes can have small pitfalls. Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for when making slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes:
- Overcrowding the Slow Cooker: Trying to fit too much into your slow cooker can lead to uneven cooking and a watery sauce. Stick to the recommended ingredient amounts for your slow cooker size. If you need to double the recipe, use a larger slow cooker or cook in batches.
- Not Cutting Potatoes Evenly: If your potato pieces are vastly different in size, some will be mushy while others are still firm. Aim for consistently sized chunks to ensure even cooking.
- Lifting the Lid Too Often: Every time you lift the lid of your slow cooker, heat escapes, and the cooking time is extended. Resist the urge to peek frequently, especially during the first few hours.
- Using Too Much Liquid: While some liquid is necessary, too much can dilute the flavors and result in a thin, watery sauce. Stick to the 1/4 cup of chicken broth or water; the chicken and potatoes will release their own moisture.
- Overcooking the Chicken: While slow cookers are forgiving, chicken breasts can still dry out if cooked for too long on high heat. If using breasts, err on the side of the shorter cooking time and check for doneness. Thighs are more resilient to longer cooking times.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes recipe is excellent for meal prepping and leftovers.
Storing Leftovers: Once cooled, transfer any leftover chicken and potatoes to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, you can use the microwave for individual portions, heating in 1-minute intervals until warmed through. For larger quantities, gently reheat in a covered dish in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until hot, or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if it seems dry.
Making Ahead: While this dish is best enjoyed fresh from the slow cooker, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time. Chop the potatoes and mince the garlic, storing them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You can also mix the seasoning blend in advance. When ready to cook, simply combine everything in the slow cooker. Freezing is not recommended for the cooked dish, as potatoes can become mealy and the texture of the chicken might change.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Here are some common questions people have about making slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes:
- Can I use frozen chicken? Yes, you can use frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. However, you will need to increase the cooking time by about 1-2 hours on either setting to ensure the chicken cooks through safely.
- Do I need to brown the chicken first? No, there’s no need to brown the chicken for this recipe. The slow cooker will cook it perfectly, keeping it tender and juicy without this extra step.
- What kind of potatoes work best? Small red or Yukon gold potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape well and have a creamy texture. Russet potatoes can be used but may break down more easily.
- **Can I add other vegetables?
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.
