This creamy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is simple to make and incredibly delicious. It's an easy chicken pasta recipe that combines tender chicken, savory Parmesan cheese, and creamy garlic sauce to create a dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends at home. Plus, with the convenience of the crockpot, dinner practically cooks itself!
I pulled out my trusty crockpot the other day to make this dish. It was the first time I'd used it in a while, and I was reminded how much I love crockpot meals. Being able to just throw everything into the crockpot, set it, and then go about your day is truly a work of genius. I'm stoked to revisit all my old crockpot recipes over the next couple of weeks for some easy, simple dinners that will leave my house smelling amazing. (This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli And Rice Casserole, and these Chicken Mole Tacos will be first up!)
This easy crockpot garlic parmesan chicken pasta dinner is a cinch to make because it takes advantage of a delicious store-bought sauce (garlic parmesan sauce made by BWW) that you add right to the pot. The result is amazing - a creamy, cheesy, garlic chicken pasta dish that is ultra-comforting, smells delicious, and is perfect for a weeknight dinner. (Note - if you DO want to make your own sauce, here's a great garlic parmesan sauce recipe.) It's no wonder this is a Buffalo Wild Wings favorite!
In This Post
Why This Recipe Works
- Effortless. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work, this Buffalo Wild Wings crock pot chicken pasta is perfect for those times when you want to put something delicious on the table, but have no time.
- Mouthwatering flavor. The garlic Parmesan sauce is really the star of the show here and adds amazing garlicky flavor to the cheesy, creamy pasta sauce.
- Versatile. This recipe is easy to riff on by changing out a few of the ingredients. Use a different kind of cheese (mozzarella cheese makes this ultra cheesy!), try a different protein (or sub with veggies for a vegetarian option), or try a different style of noodle.
- Crockpot love. Ugh, the slow cooker. It's such a timesaver and one of my all-time favorite appliances. This easy garlic parmesan pasta dinner makes great use of this tool and is the perfect recipe for it.
Key Ingredients
The ingredients for this delicious dish are very simple. Here's what you'll need.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast. I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but you could easily use thigh meat instead. Be sure to use raw chicken for this recipe - using precoked chicken in the crockpot will dry the chicken out too much.
- Parmesan garlic sauce. You'll find a jar of this Buffalo Wild Wings Sauce in your local grocery store (I got mine at Target). Look in the condiment aisles, where you'd find barbecue sauce or other marinades. You can also easily make your own garlic parmesan sauce.
- Cream cheese. We'll be using a whole container of this, adding tons of creaminess and richness to the sauce. (Note - if this is too much for you, you can swap half of it for Greek yogurt or even sour cream.)
- Pasta. You can choose whatever type of pasta you like here. I used Farfalle for this recipe, but penne pasta, rotini, ziti or even rigatoni would work well here, too.
- Italian seasoning. Buy a container or make your own simple seasoning (I love using this homemade spaghetti seasoning mix!)
- Chicken stock or broth. Adds some moisture to the creamy sauce.
- Parmesan cheese. Provides a nutty and savory element to parmesan garlic chicken pasta.
- Garnishes. Fresh parsley and red pepper flakes add some nice color and a hint of heat (feel free to omit the red pepper, or substitute it with a light sprinkle of paprika if you're not into the spice).
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
As with most crockpot meals, there's just a touch of prep before you can sit back and let your dinner cook itself! Here's how to do it. (See complete instructions in the recipe card below.)
- Prepare the crockpot. Grease the bottom of the crockpot with butter to prevent the chicken and sauce from sticking to it.
- Add the chicken. Place the chicken in the crockpot and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add the sauce. Pour the entire bottle of Parmesan garlic sauce over the chicken.
- Add the cheese. Add cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and chicken broth to the crockpot. (Expert tip: Bring your cream cheese to room temperature prior to using it to help prevent it from curdling in the sauce.)
- Cook. Let your slow cooker do its thing. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Shred the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked through, shred it and add the cooked chicken back to the crock pot and the sauce.
- Make the pasta. In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. (Just cut the cooking time by 1-2 minutes here. The pasta should be slightly firm since it will absorb a bit of the broth from the sauce once added to the slow cooker.) Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Combine. Add the al dente pasta to the chicken and sauce mixture, stirring to combine, and allow it to cook for 5-10 minutes more so that the pasta can absorb some of the sauce. You should have plenty of sauce/liquid here for the pasta, but if the dish seems dry, slowly add 1-2 tablespoon of the pasta water to it until it reaches the consistency you like.
- Garnish. Sprinkle the dish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes before serving.
Easy Variations For BWW Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Change up the chicken. If you don't want to use chicken breasts, there are plenty of chicken substitutes for this BWW pasta. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a juicier dish.
- Switch up the sauce. Substitute store-bought Alfredo sauce for the Parmesan garlic sauce for a different twist on the recipe.
- Add some veggies. Add fresh spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, or bell peppers for added color and flavor.
- Make it extra garlicky. Amp up the garlic flavor by tossing some fresh garlic into the chicken and sauce. (Minced garlic would work best to help it blend into the sauce.)
- Lighten it up. For a lighter version, use low-fat cream cheese or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Add some citrusy flavor! Give the dish a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of lemon zest to add a bit of brightness.
- Make your own sauce! The store-bought stuff is great for when you're short on time, but I also love the taste of my homemade version of this creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Here's how to make this Instant Pot style.
Using the sauté function, melt the butter in the instant pot and add the seasoned chicken to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Pour the Parmesan garlic sauce over the chicken, then add the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then do a natural release for 5 minutes before manually releasing any extra pressure. While the chicken is cooking, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Shred the cooked chicken and add it back to the cream sauce in the pot, along with the cooked pasta. Stir, garnish, and serve.
Yes! You can absolutely make your own Parmesan garlic sauce, and it's very easy to do. Learn how to make your own creamy garlic parmesan sauce here.
Yes! While the crockpot is certainly an easy option, making this whole dish on the stovetop is also incredibly easy and will only take you about 20-30 minutes.
To make this easy pasta on the stovetop, cook the pasta separately using the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet and add the seasoned chicken. Cook over medium heat on each side, 3-4 minutes, until the chicken is a golden brown color on the outside and cooked through on the inside. Shred the chicken and set aside. Add the sauce, cheese, and chicken broth to the same pan used to cook the chicken and whisk until creamy. Place the chicken in the sauce and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the dish, stir to combine, garnish, and serve.
While fresh chicken is recommended for best results, you can use frozen chicken if needed. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly and ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
You can, although I'd probably only use rotisserie chicken if I were making this over the stovetop. Cooking the already-cooked chicken in the crockpot with the sauce could dry the chicken pieces out.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until heated through. Add a little extra sauce, or even a splash of milk to the dish if the noodles seem dry prior to reheating.
You can, although because the sauce contains cream cheese, there's a chance it could separate when thawed and reheated. To prevent this and maintain the creamy texture of the sauce, allow the pasta to cool completely before storing it in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave (be sure to stir the pasta frequently!). You can add a splash of milk or broth while reheating to help bring the sauce back together if it does separate.
Yes, you can easily double this crockpot garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe-just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to handle the extra volume. Use twice the amount of each ingredient, including the chicken, sauce, and pasta. You may need to increase the cooking time by 30-60 minutes to ensure the chicken is fully cooked through, especially if your slow cooker is very full. Be sure to shred the chicken well so the sauce mixes evenly.
The Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce has a bold, savory flavor with lots of garlic and cheese, but it's not very spicy. It has just a mild kick from the seasonings-enough to add flavor, but not overpowering. If you want more heat, you can stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or even a dash of cayenne. Prefer a milder sauce? Skip any added spice and the dish will still be creamy, rich, and delicious. You can also make your own garlic Parmesan sauce, which allows you to completely control the level of spiciness!
If you can't find Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce, don't worry-there are easy substitutes! You can use a store-bought garlic Alfredo or Parmesan cream sauce in a pinch. Or, make your own BWW garlic Parmesan sauce!
What To Serve With Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?
I love this pasta with a simple salad or a veggie side, and a big loaf of crusty garlic bread. Here are a few options:
- Simple Mixed Greens Side Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
- Green Beans With Almonds And Garlic
- Chopped Zucchini Salad
- Mediterranean Cucumber Salad With Tomatoes
- Crusty Bread with a side of Roasted Garlic for spreading
- Peach Caprese Salad
- Instant Pot Broccoli
- Simple Rosemary Parmesan Bread
My entire family loves this easy pasta recipe. It's a great addition to your stash of crock-pot and back-pocket meals.
If you try this Creamy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe, let me know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to tag me @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your masterpiece!
More Comforting Crockpot Recipes
Recipe
CrockPot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (BWW Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 12 oz bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce (or make your own garlic parmesan sauce)* See notes for recipe.
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 16 oz pasta cooked and drained (I used farfalle.)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Grease the bottom of the crockpot with the butter.
- Place the chicken breast in the bottom of the crockpot and sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the top.
- Pour the full bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce over the chicken.
- Add the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and chicken broth to the top of the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours
- Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the crockpot, shred it, and add it back to the sauce.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. (You'll want the pasta to be al dente, slightly firm so shave 1-2 minutes from the cooking time.)
- Add the pasta to the chicken and sauce mixture and stir to combine. Allow to cook for 5 minutes more so that the pasta can absorb some of the creamy sauce. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes and serve!
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Notes
- I used chicken breast in this recipe, but feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before adding it to prevent it from curdling in the sauce.
- If you don't have a bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce, you can make your own garlic parmesan sauce: Add the following to a food processor or a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy:
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup mayo
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- 2tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until heated through.
Mrs. Parks says
Absolutely love this recipe! A church friend of mine made it and I asked for the recipe. 100% recommend for anyone.
Also, could I bake this in the oven? If so, how long & what temperature to preheat the oven at? Also, what size casserole dish?