Description
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a rich garlic parmesan sauce, combined with cream cheese and milk to create a luscious sauce. Tossed with your choice of pasta, it makes a comforting and satisfying dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (trimmed)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 1 (12 oz) bottle Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 8 oz cream cheese (cut into cubes)
- ¼ cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 12 to 16 oz pasta (rotini or penne recommended), cooked according to package directions
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle kosher salt and fresh black pepper evenly over the boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Place the chicken at the bottom of the crockpot or slow cooker to create a base layer for the sauce to infuse flavor.
- Add the parmesan garlic sauce: Pour the entire 12 oz bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce over the chicken, ensuring the chicken is well coated to absorb the garlicky, cheesy flavors.
- Mix and add milk: After emptying the sauce bottle, add 1 cup of milk to the bottle, shake well to combine the remaining sauce residue with the milk, then pour this mixture over the chicken and sauce in the crockpot. This step enriches the sauce and adds creaminess.
- Add cream and parmesan cheeses: Distribute the cubed cream cheese and ¼ cup of grated or shredded parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken and sauce. Gently stir to combine the ingredients, making sure the chicken is reasonably covered by the creamy sauce.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, or alternatively on low heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Shred or dice the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts and place on a plate or cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces or dice it as preferred. Return the shredded or diced chicken to the crockpot, mixing it into the sauce thoroughly.
- Cook and add pasta: Meanwhile, cook 12 to 16 oz of your preferred pasta (rotini or penne work well) according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well, then add it directly to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine the pasta with the creamy garlic parmesan chicken mixture, coating it evenly.
Notes
- You can substitute the Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce with any similar garlic parmesan sauce, though it may alter the flavor slightly.
- For thicker sauce, reduce the amount of milk to ¾ cup or adjust to your preference.
- Using cream cheese at room temperature helps it melt evenly and creates a creamier sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain creaminess.
- Consider adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms during the last 30 minutes of cooking to add nutrients and flavor.
