Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe

Tender chicken and potatoes slow cooked in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce – perfect for a fuss-free weeknight dinner!

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Potatoes

This dinner comes together in under 15 minutes prep time using only 7 main ingredients that are common pantry staples. It’s the perfect start to relaxing evenings free from spending hours in the kitchen. You can even Crockpot Roast Potatoes and Carrots to accompany the Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken for an even more delicious and complete meal. Using a crockpot allows the chicken to soak up maximum flavor from the aromatic blend of herbs and spices as it cooks low and slow. By the time it’s done, the protein virtually falls apart.

The potatoes have a meltingly tender texture and take on the garlicky goodness. Carbs, protein and vegetable – this one pot meal has everything needed for a satisfying dinner with barely any effort required. You just prep the ingredients, dump them all in the slow cooker in the morning, and let the crockpot work its magic, so dinner is ready to be enjoyed to come home time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Is it OK to put raw chicken in the slow cooker?

This is a common question many people ask – can you put raw chicken directly into the slow cooker? The answer is yes, it’s perfectly fine and in fact intended for slow cooker recipes to have raw ingredients like chicken added at the start. 

Someone might ask, can you also put frozen chicken in the slow cooker? The answer is no. A slow cooker works by cooking food slowly over a long period of time with the low temperature. If you were to start with frozen meat, it doesn’t come up to a safe temperature quickly, leaving room for any bacteria present to potentially fester.

Plenty of people, myself included, have been cooking raw chicken and other meats in their slow cookers for years without any issues. It’s an OK practice that’s considered very safe.

Can I use boneless chicken thighs or breasts?

While this garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes recipe calls for chicken breasts, you can certainly use boneless chicken thighs instead if you prefer. Generally speaking, boneless cuts cook a bit faster since there is no bone obstructing heat transfer. It’s possible the thigh meat may get a bit drier over a long, slow cook time of 6 hours on low. However, as long as the chicken hits an internal temperature of 165°F and the potatoes are fork tender, it should still turn out deliciously moist and flavorful.

How do you slow cook chicken without drying it out?

This particular recipe instructs you to use chicken breasts, which have a lower natural fat content, making them less likely to dry out compared to darker meats. Cooking on LOW will also help prevent drying out over the long cooking time.

The recipe recommends cooking for 5–6 hours on low, and in my experience both breasts and thighs hold up well and stay moist at the lower temperature for this length of time. 

You could also experiment with boneless chicken thighs, which have a higher fat content and may cook in as little as 5 hours without drying out. The sauce and cheese topping also help keep the poultry juicy.

How To Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Potatoes?

Making this easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potato crockpot meal is simple. First, I get my trusty crockpot out and spray the inside with cooking spray to prevent food from sticking. Next, I prepare the potatoes. I scrub and rinse about 5 medium potatoes, then chop them into small, even cubes. It’s important to make sure they are around the same size so they will cook evenly in the crockpot.

I add the potato cubes to the crockpot. Then, I drizzle about 2 tbsp olive oil over top and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika to taste. You don’t need exact measurements – taste as you go. I stir in roughly 2 tbsp minced garlic to coat the potatoes evenly.

For the chicken, I have two options. I can either cube up the chicken as the recipe states, or I can leave the chicken in whole pieces. If cubing, I add the cubed chicken on top of the potatoes. Then I generously season with salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning.

Next, I add the Garlic Parmesan Sauce. You can use your favorite brand. I like to add enough sauce to cover the chicken. You can always add more of the Parmesan sauce after the meal is cooked if needed. Or, you can place the diced raw chicken in a small bowl and pour the garlic sauce over top, then toss the coated chicken into the Crock Pot and toss it all together.

Once everything is in the Crock Pot, I cook it on low for around 6 hours (or on high for about 4 hours), until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees and the potatoes are tender.

When the potatoes are tender and the chicken is fully cooked, I stir everything together, topping with around 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of Parmesan. I let the crockpot meal sit for another 10–15 minutes, so the cheese can melt. You can also add the mozzarella and Parmesan during the last 20 minutes of cooking and continue cooking, covered.

Finally, the crockpot meal is ready and enjoy sprinkling some fresh parsley on top. It’s also delicious to be served with green beans or ranch on the side to top the chicken and potatoes!

Serving & Storing Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes

When serving this easy slow cooker chicken recipe, I like to keep it simple – maybe a fresh side salad or some steamed green vegetables.

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just reheat in the microwave or oven until piping hot throughout before enjoying another meal of Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes!

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Can you freeze it?

Yes, you can definitely freeze the fully cooked chicken and potatoes if you want to save leftovers for later. For best results, properly store portions in an airtight freezer container to keep for up to 3 months.

I have found that the frozen potatoes may texture change a bit after being frozen and thawed. Though still edible, the texture is not always my favorite. The chicken, however, should reheat well still after freezing.

Helpful Tips

1. Depending upon the size of potatoes, these may require additional time in the crockpot as each one cook differently – adjust the cooking time as needed.

2. Both freshly minced garlic or jarred minced garlic can be used to add flavor to the recipe.

3. The seasoning amounts are flexible – add as much or little as you like.

4. For creamier cheese that melts easier, go for blocks of fresh mozzarella cheese and shred straight from the block.

5. Adding finely diced onions adds an extra flavor and a bit of crunch.

6. Use your favorite brand of prepared Garlic Parmesan Sauce or make your own homemade version.

7. Ensure enough sauce to cover the chicken but not too much as too much can make it a spicy dish. Add more sauce later if needed.

8. For food safety, use a meat thermometer for the most accuracy when checking the internal temperature of the chicken.

9. When storing leftovers, drizzle any extra delicious sauce over top to enjoy the amazing flavor!

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a delicious and easy meal to make any night of the week. With minimum effort, you can come home to a house filled with the comforting aroma and flavors of slow cooked chicken, melting cheese and herbs. It’s a satisfying one-pot meal the whole family is sure to enjoy, leaving you with helpful leftovers for busy days, too. Whether you make it as written or get creative with additions, this slow cooker classic is sure to become a new family favorite.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Type Of Potatoes To Use?

Russet or Yukon gold potatoes work best as they hold their shape well during the long slow cooking time. They will become very tender without breaking down. New or red potatoes may start to break down too much.

Can I use a different vegetable?

Yes, you can substitute another root vegetable like sweet potatoes, carrots or parsnips. Cut them into similar sized cubes as the potatoes. Alternatively, you could mix in quartered button mushrooms or halved brussels sprouts during the last hour of cooking.

Can I use dark meat, like skinless thighs, instead?

Yes, chicken thighs would work great in this recipe! Their higher fat content means they won’t dry out as easily as breasts during the long slow cooking. Feel free to substitute thighs boneless and skinless if preferred.

What Cut Of Chicken To Use?

The recipe calls for boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes, but you could also leave the breasts whole or use boneless thighs. Diced or whole cuts both work well, just adjust the cooking time if using bone-in pieces.

What else can I add to this slow cooker garlic chicken and potatoes?

You could toss in diced onions, chopped roasted red peppers, sliced zucchini or baby spinach during the last hour. Herbs like rosemary, thyme or oregano are also a delicious addition. For extra flavor, top with crisp bacon bits.

What Type Of Parmesan Cheese To Use?

Both regular and Italian style grated Parmesan cheese are great options to top this dish. Avoid pre-shredded as it contains anti-caking ingredients.

What Type Of Garlic To Use?

Minced or chopped fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but you can also use jarred minced garlic for convenience. Garlic powder alone won’t have the same depth of taste.

How to store?

Leftovers can be covered and kept in the fridge for 4–5 days or frozen for 3–4 months. For reheating, warm it in the oven until heated through.

How long does chicken have to be in the crockpot?

For boneless skinless chicken breasts, cook time in a crockpot is usually 6–8 hours on low or 4–6 hours on high. Thighs and drumsticks may take slightly longer, around 8 hours on low. Chicken is fully cooked at 165°F internally.

Can you overcook chicken in a crockpot?

If you leave chicken in a slow cooker for too long on a low setting, it can overcook. Over 8 hours on low or over 6 hours on high can cause chicken to become dry and stringy. Using an instant-read meat thermometer prevents overcooking.

Does cooking chicken in a slow cooker make it tough?

No, cooking chicken in a slow cooker should not make it tough if cooked properly. The long, gentle heat breaks down connective tissues and keeps meat moist. Overcooking could potentially toughen meat though. Using the thermometer and recommended cook times ensures chicken stays tender.

Should chicken be cooked on high or low in a crockpot?

Cook chicken on low in a crockpot is generally recommended. Low heat (200-240°F) slowly cooks the meat without drying it out, allowing it to stay juicy and flavorful. High heat (300°F+) could cause chicken to dry out or become tough if not watched carefully.

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Potatoes

Recipe by Carmen FoodieCourse: CrockPot DinnersCuisine: American

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

6

hours 

Calories

550

kcal

Total time

6

hours 

15

minutes

A comforting aroma of garlic, herbs and melting cheese fills the kitchen as chicken and potatoes simmer to tenderness in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts

• 5 medium sized potatoes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika (for potatoes)

• 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper

• 1 tsp each of paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning

• 2 tbsp minced garlic

• Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce

• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese & Parmesan

Directions

• First, get your crockpot out and spray the inside with cooking spray to prevent food from sticking.
• Next, prepare the potatoes. Scrub and rinse about 5 medium potatoes, then chop them into small, even cubes. It’s important to make sure they are around the same size so they will cook evenly in the crockpot.
• Add the potato cubes to the crockpot. Then, drizzle about 2 tbsp olive oil over top and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika to taste. You don’t need exact measurements – taste as you go. Stir in roughly 2 tbsp minced garlic to coat the potatoes evenly.
• For the chicken, you have two options. You can either cube up the chicken as the recipe states, or you can leave the chicken in whole pieces. If cubing, add the cubed chicken on top of the potatoes. Then generously season with salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning.
• Next, add the Garlic Parmesan Sauce. You can use your favorite brand. Add enough sauce to cover the chicken. You can always add more of the Parmesan sauce after the meal is cooked if needed.
• Or, you can place the diced raw chicken in a small bowl and pour the garlic sauce over top, then toss the coated chicken into the Crock Pot and toss it all together.
• Once everything is in the Crock Pot, cook it on low for around 6 hours (or on high for about 4 hours), until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees and the potatoes are tender.
• When the potatoes are tender and the chicken is fully cooked, stir everything together, topping with around 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of Parmesan. Let the crockpot meal sit for another 10–15 minutes, so the cheese can melt. You can also add the mozzarella and Parmesan during the last 20 minutes of cooking and continue cooking, covered.
• Finally, the crockpot meal is ready and enjoy sprinkling some fresh parsley on top. It’s also delicious to be served with green beans or ranch on the side to top the chicken and potatoes!

Notes

• While you can freeze this crockpot meal, the potatoes may not be as enjoyable when thawed compared to fresh. But the chicken holds up well frozen for easy future meals.