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An easy, hands-off dinner everyone will love! This comforting chicken Parmesan is slow-cooked in a flavorful Italian tomato sauce with garlic and fresh basil. Just before serving, sprinkle on mozzarella and let it get perfectly melty. Top everything with buttery Parmesan bread crumbs and serve the chicken, sauce, and cheese over bowls of spaghetti. So simple, so easy, and so delish — the perfect wholesome meal to come home to after a busy day.
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When it comes to making chicken Parmesan at home, I tend to avoid it. Honestly, I probably make a classic chicken Parmesan two, maybe three times a year. I don’t love that you have to bread the chicken and then pan-fry it in hot oil — it’s just a little too time-consuming and messy for a typical weeknight. I think a lot of us feel the same way! You really have to be in the mood (and have the energy) to make it.
That being said, my brothers love chicken Parmesan. So I wanted to create an easier, cozier version — and of course, I turned to the crockpot. I’m all about hands-off cooking right now: less prep, less work, and totally effortless but still incredibly delicious. It’s not always easy to achieve, but this slow-cooked chicken Parmesan is so, so good. I added a few special touches that make it extra flavorful and truly delicious.
Full disclosure — this isn’t your traditional chicken Parmesan, but the flavors are just the same. It’s lighter, simpler, and even more comforting. We love that, of course!
You just can’t beat a cozy crockpot dinner this time of year — it’s the ultimate comfort food made easy.
These are the details
Ingredients – for the Crockpot
- chicken breasts
- canned crushed tomatoes – love Italian style
- tomato paste
- shallots
- Italian seasoning
- fresh basil – feel free to use dried basil if necessary!
- chili flakes
- parmesan rind – if you have one lying around, use it!
- fresh grated parmesan
- whole milk mozzarella or provolone cheese – I mix them
For Topping
- salted butter
- panko breadcrumbs
- garlic
- parmesan
For Serving
- fresh parsley or basil – or use both
- cooked spaghetti – or your favorite pasta!
The Tools
For this recipe, you’ll need a crockpot, a small skillet, and a nice big pot for boiling spaghetti at the end.
The Steps
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Arrange the chicken in the bowl of your crockpot. Add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, shallots, Italian seasoning, basil, and season with chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
Pour in a splash of water — or for even more flavor, use broth, red wine, or white wine. (I usually just use water.) Give everything a quick mix to combine.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover and cook on low for a few hours, or on high for a couple of hours if you’re short on time.
About 20 minutes before dinner, remove the lid and shred the chicken — it should fall apart easily. Add the cheeses and let them melt right over the chicken and sauce.
Step 3: Make the Parmesan Crumbs
While the cheese melts, take a few minutes to make the crumbs — it’s so worth it!
In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the panko breadcrumbs and garlic, toasting until the butter turns golden and the crumbs are fragrant. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and remove from the heat.
Step 4: To Serve
Boil the spaghetti, then toss it with butter and fresh basil. Spoon the chicken, sauce, and melted cheese over each bowl of pasta. Top with the crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs and plenty of fresh parsley (and extra basil if you’d like!).
Recommendations
Serve this cozy crockpot chicken parmesan with homemade garlic bread — trust me, it’s worth it and so yummy with the chicken Parmesan! Add a simple fall salad on the side for a dinner that’s effortless, comforting, and completely delicious.
Looking for other slow cooked fall recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs
Slow Cooker Red Wine Braised Short Rib Pasta
Slow Cooker Coq au Vin with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions
Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 1/4 cup Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- chili flakes
- sea salt and black pepper
- 1-2 Parmesan rinds
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella or provolone
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- 1 pound (16 ounces) hot cooked spaghetti, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In the bowl of your crockpot, add the chicken, tomatoes, tomato paste, shallots, Italian seasoning, basil, and season with chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Add 1/2 cup of water. Stir it. Drop in 1-2 Parmesan rinds. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours.2. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Remove the lid, stir, and shred the chicken. Stir in the 1/2 cup parmesan, then top with mozzarella/provolone. Cook for 20 minutes on HIGH, until the cheese is melted.3. Meanwhile, add the butter to a skillet with the Panko and garlic. Cook over medium heat until the butter browns and the panko is toasted. Remove and mix in 1/2 cup Parmesan. Season with salt. 4. Serve the sauce, chicken, and cheese over bowls of cooked spaghetti. Top with Parmesan crumbs and fresh basil. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I’m on your email list so got this recipe this morning, had all the ingredients, and decided to make it – it was perfect!! In my opinion, MUCH simpler than traditional chicken parmesan (no dredging chicken, frying, then baking in the oven with cheese – so many less steps/ dirty dishes!)
The toasted bread crumbs took no time at all to do and were a delicious addition! I think I might actually prefer this recipe to a traditional chicken parm. 🙂
Yay!! Thank you so much, Miranda! I am so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe and appreciate you making it! Have a great week!
I tried this for dinner and it was great! I really enjoyed it. I added some extra red pepper flakes for more punch. This is a great version of the dish.
Hey Amanda,
Happy Monday! I’m thrilled to hear this recipe turned out well for you!
Thanks for making it and your comment:)
The sauce turned out thinner than I expected, the cooking time seemed a bit long and the flavor felt a bit flat.
Hi Jordan,
Thanks for trying this dish and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed!
Making right now. Does the recipe really call for 1/4 cup Italian seasoning? I’m no expert, but this seems a wee bit much.
Hi Michelle,
Yes, that is correct:)
I hope you love this recipe! Let me know how it turns out!
I totally agree… I think dried seasonings can be very strong, especially those with oregano. I was nervous about using 1/4 cup and decided to use about half that amount. The sauce was good but I felt like it was still too strong on dried oregano flavor. I would use about a tablespoon next time.
Is it just me or does this seem actually more labor intensive than frying up some chicken cutlets?
Hi Helena,
I didn’t find it to be, but maybe that’s just personal preference:) Let me know if you give this recipe a try!
I am putting it all together right now and I find it very easy. I had made my own parmesan cheese about a year ago and got overzealous when shredding it, so this recipe is perfect timing for me. I just came in from cutting fresh basil that I grow in my raised bed. I have a few of your books, are you going to put one together that has all your slow cooker recipes?
Thanks so much for giving this dish a try, Melinda! I hope it’s delish:)
Love the idea for a slow cooker recipe cookbook, thanks for sharing!
I second this idea of a crockpot cookbook! Currently making this dish now with garden tomatoes and basil. It smells and tastes amazing!
Thanks so much, Carolyn!!
This looks amazing! Using a crock pot and shredding the chicken is genius! I will definitely be giving this a try!
Thanks Tieghan!
Thanks a lot, Sara!
Let me know if you try this dish, I hope you love it!
Ok, Karen’s- then just go ahead and make traditional chicken parm. Jeeeez! 🙀🤣
I appreciate a crockpot alternative and it doesn’t look very “complicated” at all. Quite the opposite.
Thanks for the recipe – making it tonight!
Lol thanks Erin:) Let me know if you give this a try!
Made it 10/27, was a huge hit. Making it again this week – thanks for a great recipe!
Thanks so much, Erin!!
This actually seems harder and more time consuming than just making traditional chicken parm!
Thanks for the feedback, Josie. Let me know if you give the dish a try!
Quick question-verifying 1/4 CUP of Italian Seasoning. Thank you, can’t wait to make it
Hey Nancy,
Thanks for asking! Yes, that is correct.
Please let me know if you give this dish a try!
Just made this last night and it was so easy and delicious! A very simple spin on traditional chicken parm. Don’t skip the yummy breadcrumbs…they only take a few minutes and add such a nice flavor and crunch.
My only change I would make next time…I thought 1/4 cup italian dried seasoning is WAY too much. I was nervous to use that much, used half that, and still felt like it was too heavy on the dried oregano flavor. I would use about a tablespoon next time. I would add some fresh garlic to the sauce next time too.
Thanks for the great, easy recipe!
Thanks so much, Sarita! I appreciate you making this dish and your notes! So glad it was enjoyed!
This looks amazing and easy, thank you! Is it a typo or is it actually 1/4 cup of Italian seasoning? Thank you in advance 🙂
Thanks so much, Stephanie! Yes, that is correct:)
Have a great week!
Excited to try this! Did you cut the chicken breasts I half or pound them thin?
Hi Alma,
You could do either one for this recipe depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
Let me know if you give this recipe a try!
This recipe seems more complicated that traditional Chicken Parmesan 😅
Hey Gina,
Thanks for your feedback, let me know if you give it a try!
I don’t think it’s super complicated, but if there is anything that I can help with, please let me know!
I actually find Chicken Parmesan to be easy to make! 🙂 this recipe seems a bit complicated though – using a crockpot, skillet and pot..seems like it’d be easier to just make it without the crockpot 🙂
Thanks for your feedback, Sara.
Let me know if you give this recipe a try! Have a great week!
Sounds so good. Can I make this on the stovetop and simmer till chicken tender? I don’t have crockpot.
Hi Charlene,
Yes, that should work nicely for you. I hope you love this recipe, let me know if you give it a try!
Please, may I ask a question? The amount of Italian seasoning, is that correct? I/we need to know ASAP. Why so soon? I want to make this recipe. Thanks~!!!
Thanks for asking, Judes! Yes, that is correct! I hope you love this recipe!