Description: Indulge in a restaurant-quality meal at home with this incredibly easy and flavorful Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a comforting and satisfying dish, perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. Whether you choose the slow cooker or Instant Pot method, the result is tender, shredded chicken enveloped in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, and guaranteed to become a family favorite!
Ingredients:
- 2-3 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- 1 (12 ounce) Bottle Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce (or your favorite brand)
- 1 Cup Milk (whole milk recommended for extra creaminess, but any milk works)
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese, cut into cubes (full-fat recommended for richness)
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese, divided (use good quality parmesan for best flavor)
- 16 Ounces Pasta, cooked al dente (penne, fettuccine, rotini, or your preferred pasta shape)
- Olive Oil or Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- Optional: Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: Red Pepper Flakes (for a touch of heat)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Preparation:
Step 1: Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better (though browning is less crucial in the slow cooker/Instant Pot, it still improves the overall texture). Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Choose Your Cooking Method: Decide whether you’ll be using a slow cooker or an Instant Pot. The preparation is essentially the same for both methods, but the cooking times differ significantly.
Step 3: Prepare the Slow Cooker/Instant Pot:
- Slow Cooker: Lightly brush the bottom of your slow cooker with olive oil or canola oil, or spray it with non-stick cooking spray. This prevents the chicken from sticking during the long cooking process.
- Instant Pot: Lightly brush the bottom of your Instant Pot with olive oil or spray it with non-stick cooking spray. This prevents sticking, especially important with dairy-based sauces.
Step 4: Layer the Ingredients: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of the prepared slow cooker or Instant Pot. Pour the entire bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce evenly over the chicken. Then, pour the milk over the sauce and chicken. Finally, place the cubed cream cheese on top of the chicken and sauce mixture. Distributing the cream cheese ensures even melting and incorporation into the sauce.
Step 5: Cooking Time:
- Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 5-6 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shreddable with two forks.
- Instant Pot: Cover the Instant Pot, ensuring the steam release valve is in the “Sealing” position. Pressure cook on HIGH for 20 minutes. After the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes. This prevents a sudden release of pressure that can splatter the sauce. After 15 minutes of natural release, carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
Step 6: Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker or Instant Pot and place them on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Step 7: Create the Creamy Sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Add half (1/4 cup) of the shredded parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir well to combine. The heat from the sauce will help the parmesan cheese melt and thicken the sauce further.
Step 8: Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking and/or being shredded, cook your pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Al dente means “to the tooth” in Italian; the pasta should be firm and slightly resistant when bitten. Overcooked pasta will become mushy when added to the creamy sauce. Drain the pasta well, but do not rinse it (unless you’re using gluten-free pasta, which benefits from rinsing to remove excess starch).
Step 9: Combine and Serve: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the slow cooker or Instant Pot with the chicken and sauce. Gently stir to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
Step 10: Garnish and Serve: Serve the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta hot. Top each serving with the remaining shredded parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley (if using). Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, if desired. Serve with a side of garlic bread or a simple salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for several reasons:
- Easy and Convenient: Whether you opt for the slow cooker or Instant Pot, this recipe is incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal hands-on time. You can easily prepare the ingredients in the morning and let the appliance do the work, resulting in a delicious and satisfying meal ready when you are.
- Flavorful and Comforting: The combination of the creamy garlic parmesan sauce, tender shredded chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta creates a flavor explosion that is both comforting and satisfying. The garlic parmesan sauce provides a rich, savory base, while the cream cheese adds a luscious creaminess that coats every strand of pasta.
- Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is easily customizable to suit your personal preferences. You can use different types of pasta, add vegetables such as broccoli or spinach, or adjust the amount of garlic parmesan sauce to your liking. You can also control the level of spice by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: You can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home without the hassle of going out. This recipe delivers the same creamy, cheesy, and flavorful experience you would expect from a restaurant, but at a fraction of the cost.
- Great for Meal Prep: This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. You can make a large batch and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop, making it a convenient option for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Serving Suggestions:
- Garlic Bread: A classic accompaniment to pasta dishes, garlic bread complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
- Side Salad: A simple side salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta.
- Steamed Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans add a healthy dose of vegetables to the meal.
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a loaf of crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or carrots add a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor to the meal.
- Caesar Salad: The creamy, tangy dressing of a Caesar salad pairs well with the garlic parmesan sauce.
Tips:
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Cook the chicken until it is just cooked through and easily shreds with two forks.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Overcooked pasta will become mushy when added to the creamy sauce.
- Use Good Quality Parmesan Cheese: The quality of the parmesan cheese will greatly affect the flavor of the sauce. Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best results.
- Adjust the Sauce to Your Liking: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more milk. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add more cream cheese or parmesan cheese.
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to add vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms to the pasta.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Garnish Generously: Top the pasta with plenty of parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a beautiful and flavorful presentation.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time:
- Slow Cooker: 4-6 hours
- Instant Pot: 35 minutes (includes pressure build-up and natural release) Total Time:
- Slow Cooker: 4 hours 10 minutes – 6 hours 10 minutes
- Instant Pot: 45 minutes
Nutritional Information: (Approximate, per serving, without sides) Calories: 650 Protein: 50g Fat: 30g Sodium: 800mg
Conclusion:
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe is a winner! It’s incredibly easy to make, packed with flavor, and customizable to your liking. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dish for a gathering, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy the restaurant-quality taste without the restaurant price!
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe? A: While it’s best to use thawed chicken breasts for even cooking, you can use frozen chicken breasts in both the slow cooker and Instant Pot. However, you’ll need to increase the cooking time. For the slow cooker, add 1-2 hours to the cooking time. For the Instant Pot, increase the pressure cooking time to 30-35 minutes. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before shredding.
Q2: Can I make this recipe without cream cheese? A: Yes, you can! While cream cheese contributes to the creamy texture, you can substitute it with ricotta cheese (about 1 cup) for a slightly different, but still delicious, result. Alternatively, you can omit the cream cheese altogether and use more parmesan cheese (about 1 cup total) and a splash of heavy cream (1/4 cup) to achieve a similar creamy consistency.
Q3: Can I add vegetables to this recipe? A: Absolutely! Adding vegetables is a great way to boost the nutritional value and flavor of the dish. Some excellent choices include steamed broccoli florets, chopped spinach, sliced mushrooms, or sautéed bell peppers. Add the vegetables during the last 30 minutes of cooking in the slow cooker or after releasing the pressure in the Instant Pot and stirring in the cooked pasta.
Q4: Can I use a different sauce than the Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce? A: Yes, you can experiment with other creamy garlic parmesan sauces available in stores. Just make sure to adjust the amount of milk or cream cheese to achieve your desired consistency. You can also make your own garlic parmesan sauce from scratch using butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, cream, and seasonings.
Q5: How do I store leftovers and how long will they last? A: Store leftover Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for 3-4 days. Reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or cream if needed to restore the creamy consistency.
