Description
This Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic Italian favorite with minimal effort. Tender, browned chicken breasts are slow-cooked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, served over spaghetti for a comforting, hearty meal perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Chicken
- 25 ounce jar marinara sauce
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (depending on slow cooker size)
Breading
- 1 ½ cups Italian seasoned Panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste (about 1 teaspoon each)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (more if preferred)
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Serving
- 1 package spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray an oval 5 to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray and pour in the jar of marinara sauce, spreading it evenly at the bottom.
- Mix Egg and Milk: In one shallow bowl, whisk together the large egg and ½ cup milk. Season with salt and pepper (about a teaspoon each) to taste.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a second shallow bowl, combine the Italian seasoned Panko bread crumbs with garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil, mixing well.
- Bread the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Dip each chicken breast first into the egg and milk mixture, then roll it thoroughly in the seasoned bread crumbs until evenly coated.
- Brown the Chicken: Place the coated chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Brown the chicken on each side until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Avoid flipping too often to keep the breading intact, adding more oil if needed.
- Arrange Chicken in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned chicken breasts carefully into the slow cooker, placing them on top of the marinara sauce layer.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is tender.
- Add Cheese Topping: About 10 to 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle each chicken breast with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover the slow cooker again to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy chicken Parmesan over cooked spaghetti noodles for a classic Italian meal.
Notes
- Do not flip the chicken too frequently while browning to prevent the breading from falling off.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Adjust seasoning amounts to preference, especially salt and pepper.
- Additional cheese can be added if a cheesier topping is desired.
- If your slow cooker is smaller or larger, adjust the number of chicken breasts accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese, plus spaghetti)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg