Toss the chicken in the slow cooker and just 4 other ingredients. You get a meal so delicious your family will be begging for more, and it’s perfect for a cozy night in.

 This 5-ingredient slow cooker chicken Parmesan pasta is one of those set-it-and-forget-it dinners that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day. You literally toss the chicken in the slow cooker with just four other pantry-friendly ingredients, then stir in cooked penne at the end. The chicken turns tender and shreddy in a rich tomato sauce, with plenty of melty Parmesan on top. It’s perfect for a cozy night in when you want something comforting that the whole family will happily dig into without a lot of fuss.

Serve this chicken Parmesan pasta straight from the slow cooker with a simple green salad and some garlic bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up the extra sauce. A side of steamed green beans or roasted broccoli rounds out the plate nicely. If your family likes a little extra cheese, set out a small bowl of grated Parmesan at the table so everyone can sprinkle more on top. A glass of iced tea or sparkling water with lemon keeps it light and family-friendly.

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Penne

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara or pasta sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried basil and oregano blend)
2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
12 ounces penne pasta, cooked according to package directions and drained

Directions

Spray the inside of your slow cooker lightly with nonstick cooking spray for easier cleanup.

Lay the chicken breasts in a single layer on the bottom of the slow cooker.

Pour the marinara or pasta sauce evenly over the chicken, making sure all the chicken is covered. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the top of the sauce.

Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.

About 20 minutes before you’re ready to eat, cook the penne pasta according to the package directions, then drain well.

Use two forks to shred the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker, stirring it into the sauce until well combined.

Stir 1 cup of the shredded Parmesan cheese into the saucy shredded chicken until it melts and the mixture looks creamy and cheesy.

Add the hot, drained penne pasta to the slow cooker and gently toss until all of the pasta is coated in the cheesy chicken and sauce.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit on WARM for 5–10 minutes, just until the cheese melts.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then spoon into bowls and serve hot.

Variations & Tips

For picky eaters, you can keep a portion of the cooked penne plain and serve the saucy chicken on the side so kids can decide how much to add. If your family prefers a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of milk or a few tablespoons of cream cheese when you add the first cup of Parmesan. You can also swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand; they’ll be just as tender and flavorful. To sneak in some veggies, stir in a handful of baby spinach or frozen peas during the last 10 minutes of cooking so they soften but stay bright. For a bit of crunch, top each bowl with seasoned breadcrumbs or crushed croutons along with the Parmesan. If someone needs to avoid gluten, use your favorite gluten-free penne and be sure your marinara sauce is labeled gluten-free.