Slow Cooker Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

📝Shopping list

To make this yummy slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken, you will need these basic ingredients:

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs * - cut into bite-size chunks
• Onion
• Garlic*
• Chicken broth
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Baby bella mushrooms * - sliced
• Evaporated milk*
• Flour
• Baby Spinach
• Parmesan cheese - grated*

🔪Instructions

The first step in this simple recipe is spraying your slow cooker with a non-stick cooking spray. Add all ingredients other than milk, flour, parmesan cheese, and spinach to your crock pot and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours until chicken is fully cooked.

In a separate bowl, whisk together evaporated milk and flour. About 30 minutes before serving, add these sauce ingredients to your slow cooker and stir. Cover and cook on high for about 20 minutes to allow the flour to cook.

About 10 minutes before serving this crockpot recipe, add in parmesan cheese and spinach. It is easiest to mix in one handful of fresh spinach at a time. If you want to thicken your sauce further, you can stir in extra parmesan cheese.

Serve promptly and enjoy.

Serving suggestions

The creamy parmesan sauce in this slow cooker recipe goes well with everything!!! It is delicious on top of pasta, rice, mashed cauliflower, and cauliflower rice (pictured). A squeeze of fresh lemon makes a great topping!

We love it served with green beans, garlic mushrooms or steamed broccoli, and a loaf of crusty bread. A crip side salad is always a great pairing too.

🔁Substitution ideas

1. While I prefer to slow cook thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts can also be used for this recipe. Just be careful not to overcook them as they can become dry and rubbery. I find dark meat to be more forgiving when slow cooked.
2. White button mushrooms can be used in place of baby bellas
3. Sun-dried tomatoes make a great addition to this dish. They can be tossed in along with mushrooms.
4. I use jarred, minced garlic (lazy!!). 4 fresh garlic cloves (minced) or about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder may be used instead.
5. I use lactose-free, but any evaporated milk would work.

Storing

Store leftovers of this great recipe in an airtight container or zipper-top bag. They will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 3-4 months in the freezer. If the creamy garlic parmesan chicken sauce separates when defrosting, just stir well to fully recombine.

😉Hints & hacks

1. I am lazy (obviously) and usually buy my parmesan cheese pre-shredded or grated. However, for this recipe, freshly shredded really does taste best!
2. All slow cookers are different and may have slightly different cook times. The first time you make this use a meat thermometer to see how long the chicken takes to reach 165℉. This will make your timing easier to gauge the next time you make it.
3. Store leftovers of this crockpot garlic parmesan chicken in individual serving-sized containers for easy grab-and-go future meals.
4. Do you like it hot? Feel free to top off your dish with a splash of sriracha or a dash of red chili pepper flakes.
5. This is one of the best slow cooker recipes to use with a slow cooker liner. If you use a liner, you can skip spraying your slow cooker with non-stick spray.
6. In the market for a slow cooker? I love mine!
7. Pressed for time when prepping? You can opt to cook your chicken as whole chicken breasts or thighs and then cut or shred before serving.