Get ready for the most hands-off, flavorful, and ridiculously easy Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan you’ve ever made. This recipe delivers that classic, comforting Italian-American dish with minimal prep and maximum flavor. We’ve even cracked the code to avoid soggy chicken, ensuring a perfectly tender result that your whole family will request again and again.
Forget standing over a hot stove. Just layer a few simple ingredients in your Crockpot, set it, and walk away. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight when you’re craving a hearty, delicious meal without the fuss.
Why This Crockpot Chicken Parmesan is a Game-Changer
You are going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why. First, the prep time is less than 10 minutes. It’s a true “dump and go” meal that doesn’t sacrifice taste. The chicken cooks low and slow in a rich marinara sauce, becoming incredibly tender and juicy.
Most importantly, this method solves the biggest problem with most Crockpot chicken parmesan recipes: soggy breading. By adding the cheese and a simple breadcrumb topping at the very end and giving it a quick broil, you get that glorious, crispy, cheesy topping everyone loves. It’s the perfect combination of slow-cooked convenience and oven-finished perfection.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple, easy-to-find pantry staples. You don’t need anything fancy to create incredible flavor!
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. Try to use breasts that are similar in thickness for even cooking.
Marinara Sauce: A good quality jarred marinara sauce is your best friend here. Use your favorite brand!
Italian Seasoning: A classic blend of dried herbs that adds instant depth.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These provide a foundational layer of savory flavor.
Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded melts best, but pre-shredded works in a pinch.
Parmesan Cheese: For that sharp, nutty flavor that is essential to any chicken parm.
Panko Breadcrumbs: These are coarser than regular breadcrumbs and get extra crispy.
Butter: Melted and tossed with the breadcrumbs to help them brown beautifully.
Perfectly tender chicken, every single time.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan (Step-by-Step)
Making this dish is as simple as 1-2-3. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.
Step 1: Layer the Ingredients
Start by spreading about one cup of your marinara sauce on the bottom of your slow cooker. This prevents the chicken from sticking. Place the chicken breasts on top of the sauce in a single layer. Sprinkle them evenly with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the chicken.
Step 2: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and tender enough to easily shred with a fork. Cooking times can vary depending on your slow cooker and the thickness of the chicken.
Step 3: The Secret to a Crispy Topping
This is the magic step! Once the chicken is cooked, preheat your oven’s broiler. Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them in a baking dish. Top each breast generously with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. In a small bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
Tips for the Best Chicken Parmesan
While this recipe is incredibly simple, a few extra tips will guarantee success.
Don’t Overcrowd the Slow Cooker: Ensure the chicken breasts are in a single layer for even cooking. If you need to make more, use a larger slow cooker or cook in batches.
Use Quality Sauce: Since the marinara sauce is a key flavor component, using one you genuinely enjoy will make a big difference in the final taste. For a homemade touch, try this delicious roasted cherry tomato sauce.
Chicken Thickness: If your chicken breasts are very thick, you can slice them in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. This will ensure they cook faster and more evenly.
Look at that perfectly golden, cheesy crust!
What to Serve with Your Chicken Parm
This versatile dish pairs well with many sides. The classic choice is a bed of spaghetti or your favorite pasta. For a lower-carb option, serve it with zucchini noodles or a fresh green salad. And of course, you can never go wrong with a side of warm garlic bread to sop up that delicious sauce. For another cheesy chicken favorite, check out our One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers are fantastic! Store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results when reheating, use an oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. This will help re-crisp the topping much better than a microwave. If you are looking for more easy crockpot meals, this Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken is another must-try.
No, this recipe is for a ‘no-breading’ slow cooker version to keep it simple and avoid sogginess. The crispy topping is created at the end with a mix of Panko breadcrumbs and butter under the broiler.
The key is to add the cheese and breadcrumb topping after the chicken has finished slow cooking. By placing it under the broiler for a few minutes, you melt the cheese and toast the breadcrumbs, creating a crispy top layer.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great and are very forgiving in the slow cooker. They may require a slightly longer cooking time to become fully tender, so check for doneness.
The classic pairing is with spaghetti or another pasta. It’s also delicious with zucchini noodles for a low-carb option, on a toasted sub roll for a chicken parm sandwich, or alongside roasted vegetables.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to put raw chicken into a slow cooker. The ‘low and slow’ cooking method ensures it will cook through completely and become very tender.
Enjoy This Easy Dinner!
This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan recipe is a true testament to how delicious and easy weeknight dinners can be. It’s a comforting, satisfying meal that brings everyone to the table. If you make it, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
The ultimate comfort food, made easy in your Crockpot!
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Recipe
FL Recipes
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan (The Easiest Way!)
The most hands-off, flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan recipe! This easy Crockpot meal delivers tender chicken in a rich marinara, with a secret step for a perfectly crispy, cheesy topping. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
4boneless, skinless chicken breastsabout 1.5 to 2 lbs total
24ozjarred marinara sauceuse your favorite brand
1tspItalian seasoning
1tspgarlic powder
1/2tsponion powder
1/2tspsaltor to taste
1/4tspblack pepper
1.5cupsshredded mozzarella cheese
1/2cupgrated Parmesan cheese
1/2cupPanko breadcrumbs
2tbspbuttermelted
Equipment
1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart slow cooker is recommended.
1 Baking Dish
Method
Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker. Place chicken breasts in a single layer over the sauce. Sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the seasoned chicken.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Preheat your oven's broiler. Carefully transfer the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker to a broiler-safe baking dish.
Top each chicken breast with a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs and melted butter, then sprinkle this mixture over the cheese.
Place the baking dish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Watch very closely until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
Serve immediately over pasta, zucchini noodles, or with your favorite sides.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalProtein: 55gFat: 25gFiber: 3g
Notes
Tip 1: For the best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and freshly shredded mozzarella cheese. Tip 2: Ensure you watch the dish carefully under the broiler as breadcrumbs can burn very quickly. Tip 3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
