Crockpot Chicken Parmesan is the perfect meal when you’re looking for something easy to make with just five simple ingredients. It requires minimal effort – just toss the ingredients in the crockpot, let it cook, and come home to a delicious dinner. With seasoned bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, spaghetti sauce, and mozzarella, this dish is full of flavor without any complicated steps.
he slow-cooked chicken turns out tender and juicy, while the cheesy, saucy topping melts perfectly for a tasty meal. Served over pasta, Crockpot Chicken Parmesan offers a classic Italian taste that’s both tasty and healthy.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts : These provide the protein base for the dish. Choose even-sized chicken breasts for consistent cooking. You can also substitute chicken thighs for a more tender, richer flavor.
- Seasoned Canned Bread Crumbs : Adds a crispy texture and Italian seasoning to the chicken. If you prefer, you can make your own by mixing plain breadcrumbs with Italian herbs like basil, oregano, garlic powder, and salt.
- Parmesan Cheese (from a Green Can) : Used to enhance the flavor of the chicken and breadcrumbs. Pre-grated Parmesan is convenient, but freshly grated Parmesan can elevate the taste.
- Prepared Spaghetti Sauce (Prego, Ragu, etc.) : A jarred marinara or spaghetti sauce is the key to simplicity here. Choose a sauce that you love, whether it’s a classic marinara, garlic-flavored, or with added herbs.
- Grated Mozzarella : Provides the gooey, cheesy topping that’s a hallmark of Chicken Parmesan. Shredded mozzarella works best for even melting, but you can also use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture.
How To Make Crockpot Chicken Parmesan
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot in a single layer.
- Tip: For extra flavor, lightly season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before adding the breadcrumbs.
- Generously sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the breadcrumbs to add a savory depth of flavor.
Step 2: Add the Sauce
- Pour the jarred spaghetti sauce over the chicken and breadcrumb layer.
- Use 1 jar for a lighter sauce or 2 jars if you like more sauce for serving over pasta.
- Tip: If using a thicker sauce, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent the dish from drying out during cooking.
- Spread the sauce evenly to ensure the chicken is fully covered. This helps keep the chicken moist as it cooks.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
- Set the crockpot to LOW and cook for 8-10 hours.
- Cooking on low ensures tender, juicy chicken and allows the flavors to meld together.
- Tip: If you’re short on time, cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours, but keep an eye on the chicken to prevent it from overcooking.
- Leave the lid on the crockpot while it cooks to maintain heat and moisture.
Step 4: Add the Mozzarella
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, sprinkle the grated mozzarella over the top of the chicken and sauce.
- Replace the lid on the crockpot and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The heat inside the crockpot will melt the mozzarella, creating a gooey, cheesy topping.
- Tip: For a golden, bubbly cheese finish, transfer the chicken to an oven-safe dish and broil it for 2-3 minutes after adding the mozzarella.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta and Serve
- While the mozzarella is melting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. Penne, spaghetti, or rigatoni work well with this dish.
- Drain the pasta and serve it alongside or under the chicken, spooning the extra sauce over the pasta for a complete meal.
- Tip: Toss the cooked pasta with olive oil, garlic, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor before serving.
Pro Tips
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- If cooking a larger batch, layer the chicken with breadcrumbs and sauce to ensure every piece is evenly coated and cooked.
- Add your own twist to the jarred sauce by mixing in garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, or fresh basil.
- For a crispy breadcrumb topping, you can briefly pan-sear the chicken breasts with the breadcrumbs before placing them in the crockpot.
- Skip the breadcrumbs and use crushed pork rinds or almond flour as a keto-friendly coating.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigeration
- Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing
- Place the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Reheating
- Reheat in a covered skillet over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water or sauce if it looks dry.
More Recipes
Crockpot Parmesan Chicken 5 Ingredients
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan is the perfect meal when you're looking for something easy to make with just five simple ingredients. It requires minimal effort – just toss the ingredients in the crockpot, let it cook, and come home to a delicious dinner. With seasoned bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, spaghetti sauce, and mozzarella, this dish is full of flavor without any complicated steps
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups of seasoned canned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
- 1 or 2 jars of prepared spaghetti sauce Prego, Ragu, etc.
- Mozzarella grated
Instructions
- Put the chicken in the crockpot. Cover it well with bread crumbs, then sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
- Pour the jarred spaghetti sauce over the chicken (use 1 or 2 jars). Using two jars will give you more sauce for the pasta.
- Cook in the crockpot on LOW for 8-10 hours with the lid on (don’t add the mozzarella yet; you’ll add it after the chicken is fully cooked).
- When you get home, sprinkle the grated or shredded mozzarella on top. Then put the lid back on.
- Start boiling water for pasta. We like to serve penne with our Parmesan Chicken. By the time the pasta is cooked, the cheese will be melted, and the meal will be ready to eat!