Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Crockpot Style!) – No Cream Cheese Needed
A simple and delicious crockpot Parmesan chicken pasta recipe with no cream cheese. This creamy, cheesy, and hearty pasta dish uses wholesome ingredients and is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Light yet flavorful with a homemade Parmesan sauce, this recipe is a family favorite!
Equipment
- Slow Cooker 4 to 6 quarts size recommended
- Saucepan For making Parmesan sauce
- Large Pot For boiling pasta
- Forks For shredding chicken
- Mixing Spoon For stirring everything together
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken breasts Boneless, skinless (or thighs)
- 2 cups Chicken broth Low-sodium preferred
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper Optional, for heat
- Salt and pepper To taste
- 1 tbsp Olive oil For searing the chicken
- 3 cups Pasta Penne, rotini, or your choice
- 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese Freshly grated
- 1 cup Whole milk Or half-and-half
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter
- Fresh parsley For garnish
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended):
Season chicken with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to slow cooker. - Add to Crockpot:
Add chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, remaining Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours. - Shred the Chicken:
Remove the chicken and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker. - Make Parmesan Sauce:
In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour, and whisk for 1 minute. Slowly add milk while whisking. Cook until thickened (3–4 minutes), then add Parmesan and stir until smooth. - Cook Pasta Separately:
Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and add to crockpot. - Combine and Serve:
Stir sauce and pasta into crockpot with shredded chicken. Mix well. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan.
Notes
To make it spicier, increase red pepper flakes.
For a one-pot variation, pasta can be added to crockpot 30 minutes before end with an extra cup of broth.
Can substitute milk with half-and-half for creamier texture.
Freeze leftovers without pasta and cook fresh noodles later for best results.