Creamy Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta made with chicken, parmesan garlic sauce, cream cheese, milk, and tender pasta.
I’ve said this before, but slow cooker meals always sneak up on me emotionally. Maybe it’s because they force you to slow down and let something else do the work for once — which, if I’m being honest, I’m terrible at. The first time I made Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, I was having one of those weeks where everything felt like a sitcom but without the laugh track. You know those weeks? The kind where your coffee spills every single morning, and you start wondering if the universe is trying to get your attention or just messing with you for fun.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Anyway, on one of those chaotic days, I threw chicken into my slow cooker like, “Here, do something with this because I can’t.” I wasn’t expecting anything magical. I just needed dinner that didn’t require actual brain power. A few hours later, though, I walked back into the kitchen, and the smell hit me — creamy, garlicky, cheesy, comforting in a way that felt… weirdly emotional? It reminded me so much of the chicken pasta my mom used to make when I came home from school with tear-stained homework sheets or when I was convinced the world was ending because I lost a sweater at recess.
And for a moment — just a tiny one — this simple crockpot garlic parmesan chicken pasta felt like a warm hand on my shoulder saying, “Hey, you’re okay. It’s okay.” Isn’t it funny how food does that sometimes? It’s like a time machine that doesn’t ask for gas.
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe?
I always hesitate to call any recipe “life-changing.” It feels dramatic, right? But this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta… well, it gets pretty close on the right day. It’s wildly easy — like, “How is this even dinner?” easy. You toss chicken in a pot, drown it in parmesan garlic sauce, walk away, and somehow it becomes something you’d swear took effort. I love that about it.
But what really gets me is how comforting it tastes. The creamy sauce with the shredded chicken? It’s unapologetically cozy. Not fancy, not fussy, just the kind of meal that makes you breathe out a little longer. Some meals whisper; this one hugs. And I know that sounds sentimental for pasta, but you’ll understand when you try it.
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s take a minute to talk ingredients — not in an intimidating, chef-y way, but like we’re leaning on the counter together wondering why cream cheese literally makes everything better.
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Chicken Breasts: They soak up every bit of that creamy sauce and shred like a dream.
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Parmesan Garlic Sauce: If this recipe had a main character, this would be it. Tangy, flavorful, kinda addictive.
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Salt & Pepper: Simple seasoning, but it matters — like adding mascara on days you’re tired. Tiny effort, big payoff.
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Milk: Helps stretch out the sauce so it clings to the pasta perfectly.
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Cream Cheese: The magic ingredient. Makes everything silky and slightly tangy.
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Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty richness that rounds everything out.
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Pasta: Rotini or penne are perfect because they catch sauce like little edible scoops. But honestly, any pasta works if you’re in that “use what I have” mood (which I’m in more often than I admit).
How To Make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Sprinkle your chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then toss them into the bottom of your slow cooker. No ceremony needed — just get them in there.
Step 2: Add the Sauce
Pour the entire bottle of parmesan garlic sauce over the chicken. Don’t be shy. This is where the magic starts.
Step 3: Shake the Bottle With Milk
Okay, here’s the fun part: fill the empty bottle with milk, shake it like you’re dancing in your kitchen to a 90s throwback, and pour it over the chicken. It makes sure you get every last drop of sauce — and milk gives it that creamy texture.
Step 4: Add Cream Cheese & Parmesan
Scatter the cream cheese cubes and grated parmesan on top. You don’t need to stir perfectly; it’ll melt and mix while cooking.
Step 5: Let the Slow Cooker Do Its Thing
Cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours or LOW for 3–4 hours. Use this time for whatever you want — folding laundry, doom-scrolling, taking a nap you definitely deserve.
Step 6: Shred the Chicken
Take the chicken out and shred it with two forks. It’ll fall apart so easily you’ll wonder why you ever stressed about dinner.
Step 7: Add the Pasta
Want To Save This Recipe?
Cook your pasta, drain it well, and add it to the slow cooker. Stir everything together until it becomes thick, creamy, garlicky perfection.
Storage Options:
This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta stores surprisingly well. It thickens as it sits, yes, but in that way that makes leftovers taste even richer and smoother. Keep it in an airtight container for 3–4 days. When you reheat it, add a splash of milk to wake up the sauce.
You can freeze it, but dairy sometimes gets a little moody when thawed. It might separate slightly, but stirring usually fixes it. And honestly, even a slightly separated creamy garlic parmesan sauce is still delicious — no judgment here.
Variations and Substitutions:
This is the kind of recipe that says, “You forgot an ingredient? No big deal.”
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Protein Swaps: Chicken thighs, shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey.
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Veggie Add-Ins: Spinach, broccoli, peas, roasted tomatoes — choose your adventure.
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Cheese Mixes: Mozzarella, provolone, romano — you’re the boss.
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Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a splash of buffalo sauce.
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Make It Lighter: Use reduced-fat cream cheese or whole-wheat pasta.
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Low-Carb: Serve over spaghetti squash or sautéed zucchini noodles.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?
This dish is rich and creamy, so it’s begging for something fresh or crisp on the side.
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Salads: Caesar, simple greens, or something lemony.
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Bread: Garlic bread is the classic move.
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Veggies: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, green beans — anything with crunch.
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Simple Sides: Even sliced cucumbers can do the trick.
Honestly, this pasta doesn’t need much. It’s already the star of the table.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use frozen chicken?
I’d skip it for this one — frozen chicken cooks weirdly in slow cookers and stays in the “danger zone” too long.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely—just make sure your crockpot isn’t tiny.
My sauce is too thick—what do I do?
Add a splash of milk. Start small. It thins out fast.
If you try this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, I hope it brings you a little calm in the middle of whatever craziness is happening around you. And if it reminds you of a dish from your past — or just becomes one you make on “those days” — I’d honestly love to hear.
Tell me how yours turns out — I’m really curious!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz bottle Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts trimmed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 8 oz cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
- 12 to 16 oz pasta such as rotini or penne, cooked according to package directions
Instructions
Season the Chicken
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them in an even layer at the bottom of a slow cooker or crockpot.
Add the Parmesan Garlic Sauce
- Pour the entire bottle of Parmesan Garlic Sauce over the seasoned chicken.
Add the Milk
- Pour the milk into the empty sauce bottle, shake to release any remaining sauce, and then pour the contents evenly over the chicken.
Add the Dairy Components
- Add the cream cheese cubes and grated or shredded parmesan cheese to the slow cooker. Stir gently to ensure the chicken is coated with the sauce mixture.
Cook the Chicken
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Shred the Chicken
- Remove the cooked chicken to a plate or cutting board. Shred the chicken using two forks or cut it into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
Add the Cooked Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well and add it to the slow cooker. Stir until the pasta is fully coated with the sauce.
Notes
- Ensure the parmesan garlic sauce is labeled gluten-free, as some brands may contain wheat-based additives.
- Replace the regular pasta with certified gluten-free pasta, prepared according to package instructions.
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
