Crockpot Creamy Chicken is the ultimate comfort food with tender chicken thighs are slowly cooked in a creamy sauce made with garlic, onion, and parmesan, creating a rich and flavorful dish. It can be served over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
What is Crockpot Creamy Chicken?
At its core, Crockpot Creamy Chicken is a hearty, slow-cooked chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked with a rich, creamy sauce. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. The slow cooker works its magic, infusing the chicken with flavors from the sauce, while you can go about your day, knowing dinner will be ready when you are. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and convenience!
The sauce typically includes a mix of cream, cheese, and seasonings, but there are many variations, depending on your preferences. This dish is often paired with rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables, making it a versatile family-friendly meal.
Ingredients for Crockpot Creamy Chicken
Main Ingredients:
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Bone-in or boneless chicken works perfectly. Chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and juicy, while breasts cook faster and remain tender.
- Cream Cheese or Heavy Cream: These two ingredients are key to achieving the creamy texture and richness that make this dish irresistible.
- Chicken Broth: This helps to thin out the sauce while adding a subtle depth of flavor.
- Garlic and Onion: These are essential aromatics that add flavor to the sauce.
- Seasonings: A simple combination of salt, pepper, and dried herbs (like thyme, basil, and parsley) enhances the overall flavor profile.
Optional Add-Ins:
- Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella, or cheddar cheese adds even more creaminess and flavor.
- Vegetables: Adding vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or spinach will elevate the dish and make it even more nutritious.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley, rosemary, or thyme can add an extra burst of freshness to the dish once it’s cooked.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Crockpot Creamy Chicken
Choose Bone-In Chicken: Bone-in chicken, whether it’s breasts or thighs, will remain more moist and flavorful during the slow cooking process.
Cream Cheese vs. Heavy Cream: While cream cheese creates a thick and rich sauce, heavy cream results in a slightly lighter sauce. You can even mix both to get the best of both worlds.
Avoid Overcooking: Slow cookers vary, so check the chicken towards the end of the cooking time to ensure it doesn’t dry out. You want tender, juicy chicken, not overcooked, tough meat.
Searing the Chicken: Searing the chicken before placing it in the Crockpot can add a nice depth of flavor, but it’s not mandatory.
Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce if you want to kick up the heat.
Variations of Crockpot Creamy Chicken
While the basic Crockpot Creamy Chicken recipe is delicious on its own, there are so many fun variations to try. Here are a few ideas:
Crockpot Creamy Chicken with Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker for an earthy, savory addition that pairs wonderfully with the creamy sauce.
Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken: If you love garlic and Parmesan, add extra garlic and grated Parmesan cheese for an ultra-creamy, garlicky twist.
Crockpot Creamy Chicken with Spinach: Add fresh spinach leaves during the last 30 minutes of cooking to give the dish a nutritional boost and a pop of green.
Crockpot Creamy Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
How to Serve Crockpot Creamy Chicken
There are so many ways to serve Crockpot Creamy Chicken! Here are some ideas:
- Over Rice: Serve the creamy chicken over steamed white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- With Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect base to soak up the sauce from the chicken.
- On Pasta: Serve the creamy chicken and sauce over your favorite pasta for a comforting meal that’s sure to satisfy.
- With Roasted Vegetables: Pair this creamy chicken with roasted carrots, broccoli, or green beans for a well-rounded meal.
How to Store Crockpot Creamy Chicken
Leftovers of Crockpot Creamy Chicken are just as delicious the next day! To store:
- In the Refrigerator: Let the chicken cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will last in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- In the Freezer: You can freeze Crockpot Creamy Chicken for up to 3 months. Be sure to store it in a freezer-safe container, and allow it to cool completely before freezing. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts or thighs, but keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be adjusted. You may need to cook it on high for an extra hour or so to ensure the chicken is fully cooked through.
Can I make this recipe without heavy cream or cream cheese?
Yes, you can substitute heavy cream and cream cheese with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lighter version of this dish. However, the texture and flavor will be different.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! The slow cooker is perfect for making large batches of this dish. Just be sure not to overfill your slow cooker. If you double the recipe, make sure the chicken is covered by the sauce for the best results.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add more garlic, a dash of cayenne pepper, or some diced jalapeños for an extra kick. You can also try adding a splash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
Crockpot Creamy Chicken
Crockpot Creamy Chicken is the ultimate comfort food with tender chicken thighs are slowly cooked in a creamy sauce made with garlic, onion, and parmesan, creating a rich and flavorful dish. It can be served over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped, packed)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your Crockpot. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Top with chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Once the sauce has thickened, turn down the heat. Whisk in Parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken in the Crockpot, ensuring the chicken is well-covered.
- Set the Crockpot to High for 3-4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours.
- When the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and set aside. Turn the Crockpot to High, add the spinach, and stir until it wilts (a few minutes).
- Return the chicken to the Crockpot and spoon the creamy sauce and spinach mixture on top. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 625Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 228mgSodium: 1128mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 62g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Conclusion
Crockpot Creamy Chicken is the perfect blend of simplicity, flavor, and versatility. Whether you stick to the classic version or try one of the many variations, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. It’s an easy way to prepare a hearty meal without the hassle, and it’s guaranteed to leave everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy the convenience of your slow cooker and dive into this creamy, comforting dish tonight!
Try these other crock pot recipes:
