Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Name: Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 180 min
Ingredients: 2½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6); 2 tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing (optional, but recommended)); 1 cup chicken broth; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried parsley); 1 cup heavy cream (or evaporated milk); 4 oz cream cheese (cubed); ½ cup grated parmesan; 1 tsp kosher salt; 3 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water; 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley (optional)

By Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

5 from 2 votes

Jan 28, 2026

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Make this easy Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe with just 15 minutes of prep, then let your slow cooker handle dinner.

Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken in the slow cooker crockpot insert.

Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Ingredients

It’s creamy, garlicky, and total comfort food with juicy chicken breasts smothered in a tasty parmesan cream sauce. And you only need simple ingredients!

For the Chicken

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Choose similar-sized pieces for even cooking. Dry them well so the seasonings stick.
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Olive oil: Optional for browning, but it deepens the flavor.

For the Crock Pot Sauce

Garlic powder: Infuses the cooking broth with garlic from the start.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that pairs perfectly with garlic and parmesan.
Chicken broth: I use Better than Bouillon.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously thick. Evaporated milk works for a lighter version.
Grated parmesan cheese: Grate it fresh! The pre-grated stuff has anti-caking agents that cause it to be grainy or clumpy in a sauce.
Cream cheese: Cut into cubes so it melts evenly into the sauce.
Cornstarch: Whisked with water to create a slurry that thickens everything up.

To Finish

More parmesan: A final sprinkle adds extra punch.
Chopped parsley: Brightens the rich sauce with color and freshness.

To Serve

Pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice: All soak up the garlicky parmesan sauce beautifully.

Full recipe quantities listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the article.

Love garlic parmesan flavor? Try my 10-minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce, Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers, and Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings, too!

Variations and Substitutions

Adapt this slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken to fit your needs.

Boneless chicken thighs: Swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs if you need a longer cook time. They hold up to an 8 hour slow cook, ideal for all-day cooking if you’re out of the house.
Lighter sauce: Half-and-half or evaporated milk cuts calories without losing creaminess. Here are all my best heavy cream substitutes.
Extra veggies: Toss in spinach or chopped sun-dried tomatoes during the last half hour.
Fresh garlic: Swap garlic powder for 4 to 6 minced cloves if you want bolder garlic flavor.
Spicy kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne wakes up the sauce.

Love slow cooker chicken? Try my creamy Tuscan chicken, crockpot lemon chicken, and crack chicken too!

Grab These Tools

Keep it simple with basic equipment.

6-quart slow cooker: Plenty of room for chicken and sauce.
Large skillet: If you choose to sear the chicken first.
Whisk: Gets the sauce silky smooth.
Small bowl: For mixing the cornstarch slurry.
Tongs: Easiest way to pull chicken out without breaking it.
Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken: An Easy Guide

The secret is removing the chicken before building the sauce. This keeps breasts from drying out while you finish the dish.

Prep the Chicken

Use paper towels to pat chicken breasts completely dry. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.

Optional: For deeper flavor, heat olive oil in a skillet on medium-high. Brown chicken 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden, then move to your slow cooker. Skip this if you’re short on time.

Build the Base

Pour chicken broth into the slow cooker. Whisk in garlic powder and Italian seasoning. This garlic broth keeps the chicken moist as it cooks.

Add the Chicken

Lay chicken breasts in the seasoned broth. Use a spoon to drizzle liquid over each piece. This ensures they stay juicy throughout cooking.

Cook

Put the lid on and set to low for 3-4 hours, or high for 2 to 2½ hours. Start checking at the shorter time to ensure a tender result. Chicken reaches safe temperature at 165°F.

Make the Sauce

Use tongs to lift chicken onto a plate. Cover loosely with foil. Switch the slow cooker to high.

Pour heavy cream into the hot broth. Add cubed cream cheese and grated parmesan. Whisk constantly until cream cheese disappears and sauce turns smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Thicken

Combine cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water in a small bowl. Stir until no lumps remain. Pour into sauce while whisking. Let bubble on high for 5 to 10 minutes until noticeably thicker. Taste and add more salt if needed.

Finish and Serve

Place chicken back in the slow cooker. Coat each piece with sauce using a large spoon. Wait 5 minutes so chicken warms back through.

Plate over your choice of pasta, rice, or potatoes. Scatter fresh parsley and extra parmesan on top.

5 Common Mistakes When Making Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Here are the most frequent mix-ups to avoid when making this dish:

Overcooking the chicken: Start checking at 3 hours on low. Once chicken hits 165°F, it dries out quickly if left cooking.
Adding dairy too early: Build the creamy sauce after the chicken finishes cooking. Adding it earlier risks separation and curdling.
Skipping the cornstarch: Without it, your sauce stays soupy. The slurry is what gives you that restaurant-thick consistency.
Using pre-shredded parmesan: Those anti-caking additives leave your sauce with a gritty texture. Fresh grated cheese melts beautifully smooth.
Not removing the chicken: Pulling it out while you build the sauce prevents it from overcooking and getting rubbery.

Make Ahead and Storage

This garlic parmesan chicken holds up great for meal prep.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or just store it inside of the crockpot insert with the lid.
Keep together: Store the chicken in its sauce so it doesn’t dry out.

Freezing

Freeze before thickening: Cornstarch can get weird and grainy after freezing. Leave that step out if you plan to freeze.
Container: Pack in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Lasts up to 3 months frozen.
Thaw: Move to the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Stovetop: Reheat gently on medium-low. Splash in some broth if it looks thick.
Microwave: Warm in 1-minute bursts, stirring between each round.

How to Serve This Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe

This dish begs for something to soak up all that garlicky parmesan goodness. I serve it over pasta (like my crockpot chicken alfredo recipe or creamy penne alfredo), potatoes (crockpot potatoes here!), or basmati rice. Here are more ideas.