There’s something about a crockpot meal that brings instant comfort—and this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta hits all the right notes. I first made it on a rainy weeknight when I needed something hands-off but soul-satisfying. One bite in, and it was clear: the creamy, garlicky magic of this dish wasn’t just dinner—it was a keeper.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love set-it-and-forget-it meals that don’t skimp on flavor, this one’s for you. This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is rich, creamy, and just the right kind of garlicky. The Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce brings a tangy, savory kick, perfectly balanced by melty cream cheese and a splash of milk. It’s hearty, feeds a crowd, and makes amazing leftovers.
Best part? Minimal prep. You literally toss the chicken and ingredients into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a kitchen that smells like a five-star Italian-American kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, busy weeknights, or meal prepping for the week, this is the kind of recipe that earns repeat status.
And if you’re all about flavor-packed pasta dishes, don’t miss out on this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta for another hit.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Core Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the magic happen:
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work great. Thighs add a bit more richness, while breasts keep it leaner.
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce – The Buffalo Wild Wings bottled version is the star here. Creamy, sharp, and packed with garlicky goodness.
- Cream Cheese – Cubed for even melting, it helps thicken the sauce and give it a velvety finish.
- Milk – Whole or 2% adds richness. You’ll use it to rinse out every last bit of sauce from the bottle—no waste here.
- Parmesan Cheese – A sprinkle of grated or shredded parmesan deepens the savory notes.
- Pasta – Go with rotini, penne, or farfalle—something with ridges to catch all that sauce.
Substitution Tips
- Dairy-Free? Use plant-based cream cheese and unsweetened almond or oat milk. Just note the sauce may not be quite as thick.
- Homemade Sauce Option: No Buffalo Wild Wings sauce? Mix mayo, parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend until smooth.
- Gluten-Free Options: Swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta, rice, or even mashed potatoes.
- Low-Carb or Keto? Skip the pasta and serve this creamy chicken over sautéed spinach, zoodles, or steamed cauliflower.
Step-by-Step Crockpot Instructions
Prep & Load
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place it in your crockpot.
- Pour the garlic parmesan sauce over the chicken.
- Add milk to the empty sauce bottle, shake it up, and pour it over the chicken—no flavor left behind!
- Add in cubed cream cheese and a sprinkle of parmesan. Stir to coat everything lightly.
Cook & Finish
- Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken and shred or dice it, then return it to the sauce.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and add it to the crockpot.
- Give everything a good stir and serve hot, maybe with a little more parmesan and fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
If you love comforting chicken dishes like this, you’ll also want to try my Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Recipe for another easy weeknight winner.
Optional Stovetop Version
If you’re short on time or forgot to start the slow cooker (been there), you can still make this work.
- Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, shredded.
- In a large pot, heat the garlic parmesan sauce, milk, cream cheese, and parmesan over medium heat. Stir until creamy and smooth.
- Stir in the chicken, simmer for 5 minutes, then toss in cooked pasta. Done.
Quick, comforting, and still loaded with flavor.
Helpful Tips for Best Results
- Cook Pasta Separately: Always cook pasta on the side—adding it too early will make it soggy.
- Prevent Clumps: Cube the cream cheese and add it early so it melts evenly. You can also whisk the sauce halfway through.
- Customize Your Bowl: Toss in fresh spinach before serving for extra greens. Add roasted broccoli or sautéed mushrooms to bulk it up.
- Portion Control: This makes 6 generous servings, but can stretch further with a side salad or crusty bread.
Variations to Try
- Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and use sautéed mushrooms, broccoli florets, or even chickpeas for protein.
- Keto/Low-Carb: Serve the creamy chicken over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or roasted veggies.
- Spicy Kick: Stir in red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce for a bold, zesty finish.
- Family-Style Bake: Mix everything in a casserole dish, top with more cheese, and broil until bubbly.
And if you love this creamy vibe, check out my cozy Marry Me Chicken Pasta—another reader favorite!
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 375°F, covered with foil and a splash of milk or broth to keep it moist.
- Microwave: Perfect for single servings—heat on medium power for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway.
- From Frozen: Bake at 375°F for about 1 hour, or until heated to 165°F internally.
FAQ
I wouldn’t. It turns mushy fast. Always cook pasta separately and stir it in just before serving.
For this dish, the sauce goes in first, followed by cheese stirred in later. Traditional chicken parmesan layers sauce, then cheese before baking.
Low and slow is ideal for the juiciest chicken, but high works if you’re short on time—just keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
Simple: cook it separately and mix it in at the end. Don’t let it sit too long before serving.
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Creamy, savory, and easy-to-make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with bold flavor and a TikTok-inspired twist.
Ingredients
1 (12 oz) bottle Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce
1.5 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk (preferably whole or 2%)
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
¼ cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
12 to 16 oz cooked pasta (e.g., rotini, penne, farfalle)
Instructions
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper; place in crockpot.
2. Pour entire bottle of parmesan garlic sauce over chicken.
3. Add milk to empty sauce bottle, shake, and pour over chicken.
4. Add cream cheese and parmesan; stir to coat chicken.
5. Cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 3–4 hours.
6. Remove chicken, shred or dice, return to crockpot.
7. Cook pasta separately per package instructions.
8. Drain pasta, add to crockpot, mix well and serve.
Notes
You can use thighs for a richer taste or breasts for a leaner option.
Low-fat cream cheese is okay; fat-free is not recommended.
Add spinach at the end for extra veggies.
Control sauciness by adjusting the pasta amount.
Store in fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Microwave to reheat or bake covered at 375°F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1024mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 121mg
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the kind of dish that makes dinnertime feel effortless. Creamy, craveable, and TikTok-worthy, it’s one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again—whether it’s for a busy weeknight, meal prep session, or cozy weekend dinner. Want even more slow-cooked goodness and food ideas? Follow along on Pinterest and join the kitchen crew on Facebook.