When the weeknight rush hits and you're dreaming of a satisfying meal that practically cooks itself, look no further than this incredible Easy Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes! This dish is the epitome of comfort food, blending tender chicken, creamy potatoes, and an irresistible garlic Parmesan sauce, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. It’s a complete meal in one pot, designed to bring big flavor with minimal fuss.
Imagine walking into your home after a long day to the savory aroma of garlic and Parmesan. That's exactly what this recipe promises! It's perfect for families, meal preppers, or anyone who loves a hearty, homemade dinner without the endless kitchen cleanup. Get ready to discover your new favorite slow cooker staple!
Why This Recipe Will Become a Weeknight Hero
This Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes isn't just easy; it's a game-changer for busy households:
- Set-It-and-Forget-It Convenience: With minimal prep, your slow cooker handles the rest, allowing you to focus on other tasks.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of fragrant garlic, savory Parmesan, and Italian herbs infuses every ingredient deeply.
- Complete Meal: Chicken and potatoes cook together in a rich sauce, creating a balanced and filling dinner.
- Family-Friendly: The creamy, cheesy goodness is a hit with both kids and adults, making dinner time a breeze.
- Easy Cleanup: One pot means less washing up, giving you more time to relax.
If you're a fan of comforting, hands-off meals, you'll also adore our Slow Cooker Beef Curry: An Easy, Flavorful & Comforting Recipe, another fantastic option for a stress-free dinner!
Essential Ingredients for Your Crockpot Creation
Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step to a delicious meal:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Baby red or Yukon gold potatoes
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Fresh garlic
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Cornstarch and cold water (for thickening, optional)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
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How to Master Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
This recipe is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these easy steps:
Preparation is Key
- Step 1: Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with a non-stick cooking spray. This small step makes cleanup significantly easier.
- Step 2: Arrange the quartered baby red or Yukon gold potatoes evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker. They'll absorb all the wonderful flavors.
- Step 3: Place the chicken pieces directly on top of the potatoes in a single layer.
Whipping Up the Flavorful Sauce
- Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic (or garlic powder), Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth.
- Step 5: Stir in half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese. This will melt down and create the rich, savory base of your sauce.
- Step 6: Pour this creamy sauce evenly over the chicken and potatoes in the slow cooker, ensuring everything is well coated.
Slow Cooking to Perfection
- Step 7: Cover your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the potatoes should be fork-tender. Always verify chicken doneness with a meat thermometer, as recommended by the USDA.
- Step 8: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the cooked chicken and potatoes. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the hot sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 15-20 minutes, or until thickened.
Serving Your Comforting Meal
- Step 9: You can shred the chicken with two forks or cube it, then gently stir it back into the creamy sauce with the potatoes, ensuring everything is coated.
- Step 10: Garnish generously with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes
- Fresh Garlic vs. Powder: While garlic powder works in a pinch, fresh minced garlic will always yield a more robust and vibrant flavor.
- Don't Overcrowd: Ensure your slow cooker isn't overly full to allow for even cooking.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce before adding the chicken and adjust salt and pepper if needed. You can always add more at the end.
- Browning Option: For an extra layer of flavor, you can quickly sear the chicken breasts in a hot pan for a few minutes per side before adding them to the slow cooker. This isn't essential but adds depth.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This meal is wonderfully complete on its own, but here are some ideas to complement it:
- A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast.
- Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus provide a healthy, colorful addition.
- Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy, delicious sauce.
- For another easy chicken dish, consider making an Easy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad: Your 15-Minute Recipe Guide! for lunch tomorrow.
Enjoy this incredibly easy, flavorful, and comforting Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes. It's truly a testament to how simple ingredients and minimal effort can create an unforgettable meal!
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
For the best and safest results, it's highly recommended to thaw your chicken breasts or thighs completely before adding them to the slow cooker. If you must use frozen, ensure pieces are separated and increase the cooking time by at least 1-2 hours on low, making sure the internal temperature reaches 165u00b0F (74u00b0C).
What type of potatoes work best in the slow cooker?
Baby red potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes are ideal for this recipe. They hold their shape well during the long cooking process and become beautifully tender without turning mushy, soaking up all the delicious garlic Parmesan flavor.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you desire a thicker sauce, prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Once the chicken and potatoes are cooked, remove them from the slow cooker, stir the slurry into the hot sauce, and cook on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until thickened to your liking.
Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
Absolutely! Heartier vegetables like carrots or green beans can be added at the beginning of cooking along with the potatoes. For softer vegetables like broccoli florets or sliced bell peppers, add them during the last 30-60 minutes to prevent them from becoming overcooked.
Easy Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
- Total Time: 4-6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Diet: Comfort Food
Description
This simple slow cooker recipe brings together tender chicken and potatoes in a rich, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce for an ultimate weeknight comfort meal.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1.5 lbs baby red or Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for slurry)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: Arrange the quartered baby red or Yukon gold potatoes evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 3: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs directly on top of the potatoes in a single layer.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined and smooth.
Step 5: Stir in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 6: Pour this sauce evenly over the chicken and potatoes in the slow cooker, ensuring everything is well coated.
Step 7: Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours or on the HIGH setting for 2-3 hours, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and potatoes are fork-tender.
Step 8: If a thicker sauce is desired, remove chicken and potatoes. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to form a slurry. Stir into the hot sauce in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until desired thickness.
Step 9: Shred or cube the cooked chicken (or serve whole) and gently stir with the potatoes and creamy sauce.
Step 10: Garnish generously with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For an extra boost of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture if you enjoy a subtle kick. Always ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (LOW) or 2-3 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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