Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a super easy, super comforting, super flavorful dinner! Because it’s made in the crockpot, there is very little hands-on time. Let the slow cooker do the work and cook your meat and potatoes at the same time.

Slow cooker garlic chicken with potatoes is a full comforting meal made right in the crockpot. Serve it with a side of veggies like roasted garlic green beans, sauteed asparagus, or even coleslaw.

You’ll start this chicken off on the stove by pan searing it.

Do you have to sear chicken before putting it in the slow cooker? No, but I recommend it for a few reasons.

First, it locks in moisture which leads to deeper flavor.

Second, it looks better! Seared chicken gets that beautiful, brown skin on it.

Slow cooker dishes are known for being a bit blah looking, but this helps pretty it up. Finally, searing it first helps to speed up the cook time.

If you’re after the same flavors but need a 30 minute meal, try my skillet garlic parmesan chicken & potatoes.

Ingredients

• CHICKEN – Bone-in chicken thighs are used in this recipe. Because of the higher fat content, thighs (dark meat) are less likely to dry out.
• SEASONINGS – You’ll need garlic salt, paprika, and pepper.
• GARLIC – Fresh cloves of garlic are best (you can buy them peeled!), but minced garlic packed in oil works as well.
• OIL – Extra virgin olive oil is my preference.
• POTATOES – Baby potatoes are easy to work with but you can also cube a russet. I prefer to use baby red skins and/or gold potatoes.
• PARMESAN CHEESE – Shredded or shaved parmesan cheese will melt best, but grated will work as well.

If you love these flavors, try my Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta next!

How to make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken

1. STEP ONE: You’ll start by seasoning the chicken then pan searing it to get a crisp skin. This gives the chicken great color and locks in moisture.
   
2. STEP TWO: Halve or quarter the potatoes, lay them into the bottom of the slow cooker and toss with seasoning.
   
3. STEP THREE: Layer the chicken thighs on top of the potatoes, cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
   
4. STEP FOUR: Right before serving, sprinkle on the parmesan cheese, cover and let melt, and the serve!

Is it OK to put raw chicken in the slow cooker?

Yes, raw chicken is what a slow cooker is intended for.

Now if you asked if you can put frozen chicken in the slow cooker I would tell you no.

A slow cooker cooks…slow. When you start from frozen, the meat doesn’t come up to a safe temperature quick enough, leaving room for bacteria to fester.

That said, plenty of people will tell it is fine, but I personally only cook from raw.

How do you slow cook chicken without drying it out?

This recipe uses chicken thighs which have more fat content and are less likely to dry out than chicken breasts. Cooking on LOW also helps to prevent the chicken from drying out – 5 hours on LOW is good for thighs.

Can I use boneless chicken thighs or breasts?

You can, boneless will cook faster and possibly be a bit drier. I’d do 3-4 hours on LOW and make sure the chicken hits 165° and the potatoes are fork tender.

How to store it

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze it?

You can freeze cooked chicken and potatoes. If they are properly stored in an airtight freezer container, they will keep for up to 3 months.

That said, I find frozen potatoes often have a texture change after being frozen and thawed so they’re not my favorite.

Need more slow cooker chicken recipes? Try these:

• Crockpot Sweet & Sour Chicken
• Crockpot Chicken Parmesan with Tortellini
• Crockpot Chicken & Rice
• Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
• Crockpot Honey Bourbon Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Click here for my entire collection of slow cooker recipes.

4.72 from 294 votes

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes

Created by Melissa Williams

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 4 hours hrs

Total Time: 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

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Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a super easy, super comforting, super flavorful dinner! Because it's made in the crockpot, there is very little hands-on time. Let the slow cooker do the work and cook your meat and potatoes at the same time.

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 pound baby potatoes halved
• ▢ 1 cup shredded Parmesan
• ▢ parsley for garnish

Instructions

• In a small bowl, mix the garlic salt, paprika, and pepper together.
  1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon pepper
• Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture on the chicken thighs.
  4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• In a medium skillet over medium high heat add in 1 tablespoon oil and then place the chicken thighs skin down and sear for 2 minutes or until golden.
  3 tablespoons olive oil
• Combine the remaining seasoning mix with the minced garlic and remaining 2 tablespoons oil.
  3 cloves garlic
• Halve or quarter your baby potatoes depending on size.
  1 pound baby potatoes
• Toss the potatoes with the seasoning mix and place in the bottom of your slow cooker.
• Add the chicken on top of the potatoes.
• Cook on LOW heat for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
• Right before serving sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.
  1 cup shredded Parmesan
• Top with parsley for a pop of color if you like.
  parsley for garnish
• Serve!

Notes

• Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• If you prefer boneless chicken breasts or thighs, they will cook faster and possibly be a bit drier. Try 3-4 hours on LOW and make sure the chicken hits 165° and the potatoes are fork tender.
• Every slow cooker runs differently. Times given are a general recommendation and should be tested in your own slow cooker and adjusted as needed.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 610kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 1083mg | Potassium: 832mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 580IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 310mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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