Are you looking for a healthy, easy, and delicious meal to prepare for your family? A meal that’s full of flavor but requires little hands-on time? If so, then Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes is the perfect dish for you! This hearty, comforting meal combines tender chicken, crispy potatoes, and a rich garlic parmesan sauce, all cooked together in the slow cooker for ultimate convenience and taste.
In this article, we will walk you through how to make the ultimate Garlic Chicken & Potatoes in your crockpot. We will also touch on the benefits of slow cooker cooking and how you can make this meal both healthy and adaptable to suit your dietary needs.
What is Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes?
Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes is a dish made by slow-cooking chicken breasts or thighs with potatoes, garlic, and a simple but flavorful seasoning mix. The slow cooker does all the hard work, tenderizing the chicken and cooking the potatoes to perfection. The garlic and parmesan provide a rich, savory flavor that complements the chicken and potatoes beautifully.
This meal is a great option for busy families or anyone looking for meal prep easy solutions. It’s simple to make and the best part is that you can set it and forget it. By the time you’re ready to eat, you’ll have a delicious dinner waiting for you.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes
To make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken, you’ll need just a few ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your kitchen. Here’s the list:
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs – You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Thighs tend to stay juicier, while breasts can become dry if overcooked, so it’s important to keep an eye on the cooking time.
- Potatoes – Choose potatoes easy to work with like baby potatoes, Yukon gold, or red potatoes. These types hold up well in the slow cooker and won’t break down into mush.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is a must for that rich, aromatic flavor that pairs so well with chicken and potatoes.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan is ideal, but pre-grated will work too if that’s what you have on hand.
- Butter – Butter enhances the flavor and richness of the dish, helping the garlic and Parmesan to adhere to the chicken and potatoes.
- Olive Oil – A bit of olive oil adds a smooth texture and helps everything cook evenly.
- Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary), and red pepper flakes for a little heat (optional).
- Chicken Broth – This helps create a bit of steam in the slow cooker, keeping the chicken moist while cooking.
These ingredients combine to create the ultimate Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Potatoes that will have your family coming back for more!
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes
Making Garlic Chicken Crockpot is incredibly easy. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a flavorful, tender meal with minimal effort.
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Potatoes: If you’re using larger potatoes, chop them into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. If you’re using small baby potatoes, you can leave them whole or cut them in half depending on their size. No need to peel the potatoes; the skin adds texture and flavor.
- Chicken: If you’re using chicken breasts, you can leave them whole, but be aware that they will cook faster and might become a bit dry if overcooked. If using thighs, you can leave them bone-in or boneless, as they tend to be juicier.
Step 2: Layer the Potatoes and Chicken in the Crockpot
Start by placing your potatoes easy (whether whole or halved) at the bottom of your slow cooker. Then, layer the chicken on top. If you’re using skinless, boneless chicken, the pieces will cook down and absorb all the wonderful flavors. You can also use bone-in chicken for even more flavor, though it might take a bit longer to cook.
Step 3: Add the Garlic and Seasonings
Chop or mince the garlic and sprinkle it evenly over the chicken and potatoes. Then, add your seasonings. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) generously on top. The garlic and seasoning will infuse the chicken and potatoes with amazing flavor as they cook.
Step 4: Add Butter, Olive Oil, and Broth
Next, add the butter. You can cut it into small pieces and place it evenly on top of the chicken and potatoes, or simply melt it and pour it over the top. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil for richness and moisture. Finally, pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker to create some steam and help keep everything moist.
Step 5: Slow Cook the Meal
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken will be perfectly cooked and fall-apart tender, and the potatoes will be soft and flavorful. The garlic and seasonings will meld into a delicious sauce that coats the chicken and potatoes.
Step 6: Add the Parmesan Cheese
Once the dish is cooked, open the lid and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This will create a rich, cheesy, garlicky sauce that’s perfect for serving over the potatoes and chicken. Stir everything together to combine the flavors and serve hot.
Tips for Making the Best Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: If you use boneless chicken breasts, they cook quickly and can dry out if left too long in the slow cooker. Chicken thighs are more forgiving and stay juicy even when cooked for longer periods.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic makes all the difference when it comes to flavor. It brings a depth and aroma that garlic powder just can’t match.
- Customize the Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add more garlic for extra flavor, or throw in some herbs like rosemary or thyme for a twist.
- Add Vegetables: Want to make the meal even heartier? You can add carrots, onions, or bell peppers to the slow cooker to create a one-pot meal.
- Meal Prep: This dish is perfect for meal prep easy because it can be made in bulk and stored in the fridge for a few days. Simply divide it into containers and enjoy it throughout the week.
Why You Should Make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes
There are several reasons why Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes is the perfect meal for your busy week:
- It’s Easy: You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare a delicious dinner. Just throw everything in the crockpot, set it, and forget it.
- It’s Healthy: With chicken, potatoes, garlic, and a small amount of butter, this meal can be part of a healthy eating plan. You can control the ingredients, making sure they align with your dietary goals.
- It’s Versatile: You can customize this dish to suit your tastes. Want to make it spicier? Add more red pepper flakes. Prefer a lighter version? Use chicken breast and less butter.
- It’s Budget-Friendly: Chicken and potatoes are relatively inexpensive ingredients, making this a cost-effective meal for families.
- Great for Meal Prep: Since this dish stores well in the fridge, it’s a fantastic option for meal prep. You can make a big batch and enjoy it for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Health Benefits of Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes
When made with the right ingredients, Crockpot Garlic Chicken & Potatoes can be a nutritious and balanced meal. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth, and potatoes provide a good source of carbohydrates for energy. Garlic has several health benefits, including boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation. The Parmesan cheese adds flavor and calcium, essential for healthy bones and teeth.
To make the meal even healthier, you can opt for healthy crockpot meals by using olive oil, reducing the amount of butter, and adding extra vegetables like spinach, carrots, or zucchini to the mix.
Final Thoughts: Enjoying Garlic Chicken Crockpot
This Garlic Chicken Crockpot recipe is an easy, delicious, and versatile dish that can be prepared for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even a weekend family dinner. The combination of tender chicken, crispy potatoes, garlic, and Parmesan is simply irresistible. Plus, the slow cooker does all the hard work for you, leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy your meal.
Whether you’re a seasoned crockpot user or new to slow cooker cooking, Garlic Chicken Potatoes is a meal that everyone will love. It’s the perfect way to make a flavorful, satisfying dish without spending all day in the kitchen.
So, the next time you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal, reach for your slow cooker and try this simple recipe for Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Potatoes. Your family will thank you!
