Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan is a great way to cook one of your favorite Italian chicken dinners without a lot of fuss. Throw it in the slow cooker and forget about it.
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SLOW COOKER CHICKEN PARMESAN
It’s starting to really heat up here. We took the kids to the park and had to leave early because the slides were literally scalding their legs. Looks like we’ll be permanent fixtures in the pool. Like I’ve said before, I really don’t mind turning on my oven in the summer because my husband keeps our house at artic temperatures. But most of you will do anything it takes to not turn the oven on which means the slow cooker gets a lot of mileage. I know I already have a Skinny Chicken Parmesan and Kimi’s Chicken Parmesan on this blog. They’re great too. But I’ve been looking for a slow cooker version.
I’ve tried slow cooker chicken parmesan recipes and have always found that something is missing. The problem with other slow cooker chicken parmesan recipes is that it’s lacking the crispy breading on the outside that we all crave. In this version, the breadcrumbs are toasted and added after the chicken has cooked.
This recipe requires 5 minutes of prep before and a couple minutes after to finish the dish. We start with a homemade marinara. Now I know you’re saying, “Christy…I don’t have time to make homemade marinara.” Fine. Don’t make it. Use the bottled stuff. I won’t tell. As long as you don’t skip the breadcrumbs at the end. Homemade is always better but I live in chaos and know that some days, that just isn’t going to happen. Since the chicken releases moisture when cooking, this marinara sauce is thick anticipating the liquid from the chicken to thin it out.
The good news about this recipe is it only takes 3-4 hours to cook so if you don’t start dinner until 2pm, you’re good. The bad news is that if you are at work all day, 8 hours is going to be way to long to cook this and will dry out your chicken.
OTHER CHICKEN RECIPES
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan Roll-Ups
- One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 6 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- 5 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 (28-ounce can) diced tomatoes, drained well
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion, tomato paste, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until onions are soft and tomato paste is rust-colored.
- Place tomato paste mixture to slow cooker and stir in drained tomatoes.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in water and stir into tomato mixture.
- Shingle, or lay the chicken breasts on top of tomato mixture with tapered ends pointing toward control panel, slightly overlapping each other. Cover and cook on low until chicken reaches 160 degrees, 2 1/2 to 4 hours.
- Combine mozzarella and 2 tablespoons Parmesan in a bowl.
- Sprinkle the chicken with 2 tablespoons chopped basil and top with the mozzarella mixture. Turn off the slow cooker with the lid still on and let it sit until the cheese is melted.
- While cheese is melting, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil and Panko crumbs in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until well browned, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer the toasted panko crumbs to a bowl. Let the crumbs cool slightly and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, remaining 1 tablespoon basil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon oregano, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle panko mixture over cheese. Serve over pasta.
Notes
Can you use frozen chicken and just cook longer
Sure!
Very good!!! Cooked quick!! First time I checked the temp it was the perfect 160 degrees! (2.5 hours) I added more panko and parm for the topping but it prob would have been fine without that extra. Great flavor! I used the sauce that the chicken cooked in for the spaghetti squash and it was the perfect amount (3 small/medium sized squash) We love your recipes! Wish I could post a pic🥰
Would this reheat well as leftovers?
Of course!
Looks good i am italian we make this going to try this one thanks
What size slow cooker do you use for your slow cooker recipes?
I usually use 4 or 6 depending on the dish.
Saving! Also, a friend of mine taught me that using “warm” on a lot of slow cookers for a long time will actually cook things thoroughly on a super low temp. She uses it overnight a lot for oats.
When I saw this recipe, I thought – How in the world do you get crispy breaded chicken in a crockpot? Love that you toast up the Panko and add it at the end! Genius. Can’t wait to try it!
Chicken parm is one of my all time favorites, I must try this along with your skinny version, too!! I wonder if this would work with eggplant?!
My oven broke last week so I have been using my slow cooker for quite a few meals! This one is added to the list 🙂
I love this recipe. Thanks so much.
Do you cook the chicken on the low setting or on high in your crock pot?
Low for sure. Thanks I will add that to the directions.
Hi Christy, what are the benefits of panko breadcrumbs over options such as cracker crumbs? Would this recipe turn out well without the added crust (i.e. searing chicken before adding to the slowcooker)?
thanks!
Panko crumbs give so much more crunch than regular crumbs. The recipe would still be good without the crust however the crust adds flavor as well as crunch. There are seasonings in the crumbs.
Love this!! Chicken Parmesan is my husband’s favorite 🙂
Oh I need to make this! My family would LOVE! and I am all about the slow cooker these days!
I love that this is in the 3-4 hour range! I usually look at the clock at around 2pm everyday I think, “CRAP! What am I going to make for dinner!” This recipe will be a life saver for sure! Love it!
I’m the same way!!
This is definitely interesting, I can’t wait to give it a go!
I really like parmesan chicken. I love the fuss free option that the slow cooker provides but the second step to ensure that the filets are crispy may be an extra step too much. I may try it once because it looks so good.