Dump-and-Go Crockpot Chicken Parmesan: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner For Busy Weeknights
A cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that basically cooks itself, this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan delivers all the rich, cheesy goodness of the classic dish without the breading, frying, or oven. It’s a slow cooker favorite that’s simple enough for a weeknight and comforting enough for Sunday supper.
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts simmer low and slow in marinara sauce until tender, then get finished with gooey mozzarella, Parmesan, and a crunchy panko topping that mimics the traditional crust. This is one of those chicken thighs dinner recipes or slow cooker chicken meals that feels just a little more special with no extra effort.
It’s also one of those recipes I come back to again and again. It feels like comfort food, but doesn’t take much work. I love that it skips the breading and frying while still delivering all the flavor and texture you’d expect from the classic. The sauce is rich, the cheese is melty, and the toasted panko on top gives it just enough crunch to make it feel like you went the extra mile, without actually doing it.
Pro-Tip: Toast the panko just before serving and keep it separate until the last minute. That way, it stays crispy and doesn’t get soggy from the sauce.
Serving Ideas
Serve this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti, linguine, or even creamy polenta if you feel indulgent. Add a green salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread to round things out. It’s a cozy dinner that works just as well for family night as it does for casual entertaining.
More Crockpot Recipes
- When you want something creamy but don’t want the fuss, this dump-and-go Crockpot Chicken Alfredo delivers all the cozy comfort of a pasta night, with almost zero effort. Just toss everything in the slow cooker, let it do its thing, and come back to tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and perfectly cooked fettuccine.
- This cozy Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings is everything you want in a comfort food dinner—creamy, satisfying, and completely hands-off. Just add everything to the slow cooker and let it bubble away into a bowl of tender chicken, fluffy biscuit dumplings, and rich flavor.
- If you’re in the mood for something cozy and low-effort, this Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is exactly the kind of dinner that takes care of itself. Just set it, walk away, and come back to a warm, satisfying bowl.
Tried this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan? Let me know how you served it: over pasta, with veggies, or straight from the slow cooker. And if you’re saving easy crockpot chicken recipes, this cheesy comfort food favorite definitely deserves a spot on your list.
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts boneless, skinless (or 4 smaller ones, whole and uncut)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Topping:
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
For the Breadcrumbs:
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 5–6 quart slow cooker. Place the seasoned chicken breasts on top. Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken and drizzle with olive oil.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender (internal temperature reaches 165℉).
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan directly over the chicken. Cover and let sit on LOW or WARM for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- While the cheese melts, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter in a small skillet. Toast over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and crisp.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place over cooked spaghetti or linguine. Spoon some extra sauce from the slow cooker over each piece, then sprinkle generously with toasted breadcrumbs. Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Notes
- If using very thick chicken breasts, you can pound or butterfly them for quicker and more even cooking.
- Use your favorite store-bought or homemade marinara.
- Toasting the breadcrumbs separately keeps them crisp – don’t skip this step!
- Add cooked pasta to the crockpot just before serving if you prefer it coated with sauce.
- To make it low-carb, skip the pasta and serve with zucchini noodles or roasted vegetables.
