Crockpot Chicken Parmesan
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooker dish featuring tender chicken breasts layered with rich marinara sauce, melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, and aromatic Italian herbs. This easy, set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, delivering classic Italian comfort food with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about ¾ to 1 inch thick)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (robust and herby)
- 1 ½ cups shredded or fresh mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing or drizzling)
Optional Ingredients
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- Vegetables (sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers)
- Red pepper flakes or hot sauce (for spice)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start with clean, boneless chicken breasts. Season them lightly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse foundational flavor. Optionally, lightly sear the chicken in olive oil on the stovetop just until golden on both sides for extra depth, or skip this step for convenience.
- Layer the Ingredients: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot. Spoon the marinara sauce generously over the chicken to keep it moist and infuse flavors during cooking. Sprinkle minced garlic evenly over the top, then cover with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, allowing them to melt into a bubbly, savory topping.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Set the crockpot on low for 4 to 6 hours, or high for 2 to 3 hours, based on your time availability. Slow cooking tenderizes the chicken beautifully while melding the sauce and cheeses into one irresistible dish.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked through, sprinkle fresh chopped basil (if using) on top and serve hot. This adds freshness and a pop of color to make the meal extra special.
Notes
- Skip searing the chicken if you are short on time; the chicken will remain tender and flavorful.
- Prefer thicker chicken breasts (¾ to 1 inch) to avoid drying out during slow cooking.
- Do not overfill the crockpot to allow even cooking and proper heat circulation.
- Always add cheese as the final layer to prevent burning or clumping.
- Check and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, herbs) just before serving for optimal flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: crockpot chicken parmesan, slow cooker chicken parmesan, easy chicken parmesan, comfort food, Italian chicken recipe, gluten free chicken parmesan
Find it online: https://marybaking.com/crockpot-chicken-parmesan/