This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan is an easy, lighter version of the Italian classic that’s made completely in the slow cooker. Serve over rice, pasta, or even zoodles with a side of garlic bread for a simple dinner that everyone loves.
Rather than breading, this chicken parm is covered with melted cheese, herbs, and marinara sauce keeping it super flavorful. For the traditional version, you can also try our Homemade Chicken Parmesan Recipe, or this Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan.
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
If you want to enjoy the classic Italian flavors of chicken Parmesan without all of the fuss, this recipe is for you. This super easy version is made entirely in the crockpot by layering chicken breasts, marinara sauce, and an herbed seasoning mix. After cooking low and slow, a layer of mozzarella cheese is melted over the top.
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Recipe Notes
Serve with all of the same sides that you would serve with traditional chicken Parm—spaghetti (or really any kind of pasta), a green salad, rice, or some breadsticks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- You can set it and forget it. Once you have added the ingredients to the crockpot, there really isn’t much else you need to do. Just check in on the temperature of the chicken after a few hours to be sure you aren’t going to overcook it. Otherwise, the slow cooker does all of the work for you.
- It’s gluten-free! This easy version of chicken parm skips the breading altogether, making it naturally gluten-free. Serve over rice or your favorite gluten-free noodles.
- A lighter version of the classic. Without the breadcrumbs coating the chicken, this version is a bit lighter. Don’t worry—it’s still smothered with cheese!
Key Ingredients You Will Need
- Chicken breasts: choose boneless and skinless chicken breasts that are nice and firm. I will always opt for the higher quality chicken. You can use frozen chicken, but be sure to let it thaw completely before adding to the slow cooker.
- Seasoning: in this recipe, I call for using salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Feel free to adjust and make it spicy, more salty, or however you want it.
- Marinara sauce: you will need a 1 quart jar of marinara sauce for this recipe. The chicken cooks with it over the top and ends up creating a delicious sauce after it’s done that you can spoon over the top to serve.
- Mozzarella cheese: shredded mozzarella cheese is sprinkled over the top and melted just before serving. You could also add Parmesan cheese or fresh mozzarella slices.
- Basil: I like to serve this with fresh basil over the top. Fresh oregano would also taste great.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan in a Slow Cooker
- Add the ingredients to the slow cooker. In a slow cooker, add the chicken breasts, olive oil, and seasoning. Top with the marinara sauce.
- Cook. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or on high for about 3 hours, checking the internal temperature of the chicken to be sure it has reached 165 degrees F. in the thickest spots.
- Melt the cheese. Once the chicken has cooked, add the shredded mozzarella cheese and cover for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve. Garnish with thinly sliced basil and serve over pasta, rice, potatoes, or veggies.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Make it spicy. Add a little red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce to give it a little extra kick.
- Use chicken thighs. I love chicken breasts, but there’s no doubt that chicken thighs just naturally have more flavor. Plus, with more fat they stay even more juicy.
- Shred the chicken. When I’m making this for kids, I like to shred the chicken before adding the cheese. It makes it so that you are sure to get a perfect amount of chicken, cheese, and sauce in every single bite.
- Stir in cooked pasta. If you want to make this even more of a one-pot dish, stir in al dente pasta with the cooked chicken and sauce just before adding the cheese to the top.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To reheat: either microwave or reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven until warmed through.
More Chicken Breast Recipes You’ll Love
This light and simple version of chicken Parmesan is made completely in the slow cooker, meaning there is very little prep involved. It’s got juicy chicken breasts covered with seasoned marinara sauce and plenty of gooey melted cheese.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, (about 4 large)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 quart marinara sauce
Toppings
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons basil, sliced thinly
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, add the chicken breasts and drizzle with the olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix well, then sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts. Top with the marinara sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or on high for about 3 hours, checking the internal temperature of the chicken to be sure it has reached 165 degrees F. in the thickest spots.
- Once the chicken has cooked, add the shredded mozzarella cheese to the slow cooker and cover for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with thinly sliced basil and serve over pasta, rice, zoodles, or cauliflower rice. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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