Thursday, January 9, 2014

Easy Peasy Parmesan Chicken in the Crockpot (Only 5 ingredients!)



One of my husband's favorite home cooked meals is Parmesan Chicken.  In fact, I think he could eat it once a week.  I started making Parmesan Chicken when I first got married.  Here we are as newlyweds.  We were pups! LOL.



Doug is SUPER picky!  He had never even tasted spaghetti when he married me! I have no idea how he ever got brave enough to try Parmesan Chicken but, I'm glad he did.  I usually ALWAYS make this dish for our anniversary.  (Hence the wedding photo LOL.)  We didn't have a stove for the first few months we were married but we did have a microwave (they were a new gadget in the 80's but we got one for a wedding gift!).  The recipe I started with was in the cookbook for the microwave.  (Only newlyweds would enjoy chicken cooked in a microwave (ick!)  but, we did. Ha!)

I usually make this in the oven (never the microwave anymore thankfully...)   In the original recipe you had to dip the chicken in an egg/water combination, then in the bread crumb/parmesan cheese mixture, back in the egg/water, and then again in the bread crumb mixture.  It was quite time consuming so we usually only had it on our anniversary.

Old age and practicality took over and I have shortened the process.  It works great.  Directions are a little different for baking in the oven.  I will post those another day.

This week I decided to throw caution to the wind and try it in the crockpot.  I told Doug, "I can't imagine that it could ever be bad enough that we wouldn't eat it, right?"  We loved it!  Super fast to ready in the morning and super easy.  I only use five ingredients!

Here's how I make Crockpot Parmesan Chicken AT HOME MY WAY:

Crockpot Parmesan Chicken
**only 5 ingredients**
  • Chicken (I use thawed boneless, skinless breast tenders) (In a quantity that your family will eat.  I use about six because we like leftovers but there are only two of us.)
  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups of seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese (I use the green can.)
  • Jarred spaghetti sauce (I used home canned but use your favorite)
  • Mozzarella (grated)
Instructions:
(Use tongs to handle the chicken if you don't want too much mess.)
In a large baggie or pie plate, combine the parmesan cheese and the bread crumbs:
Dredge the chicken a few pieces at a time in this mixture.  I used a baggie and just turned the bag all around to coat, like this:
Place the coated chicken pieces in the crockpot:
Dump on the jarred spaghetti sauce (large jar) (you can dump sauce on each layer of chicken if you are using a few layers of chicken):
Cook on LOW -8-10 hours in your crockpot (covered) (no mozzarella yet; you add that when it is fully cooked):
After you arrive home, go ahead and top with grated/shredded mozzarella.  Place the lid back on.  Start some pasta water.  We like to serve penne pasta with our Parmesan Chicken.  By the time your pasta is done cooking, the cheese will be melted and you will be ready to eat!
Enjoy!
Gina


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86 comments:

  1. YUM, I will be trying this! Have a blessed day and thanks for the recipe! HUGS!

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  2. Mine turned out dry :(

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    1. So sorry... maybe add more sauce next time?

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    2. I've found thawed b/s breast is done in 4 hours on low. Frozen 5-6. We sometimes switch it up and use birds eye frozen veggies on bottom (the variety with the squashes). I've never used the break crumbs before. May have to try. Thanks for sharing Gina! Love the story too :)

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    3. Brenna- Thanks so much for the follow up! The vegetables sound wonderful underneath! Will definitely tell my daughter to try that, too! She and her boyfriend love vegetables, especially squash! Thanks again!

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  3. Did you dredge them while frozen or did you thaw them first?

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    1. My chicken was thawed or at least partially thawed.

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    2. I really want to try this tmrw. My question is does the bread crumbs get soagy? Sorry for the dumb question!

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  4. Is that 8 to 10 hours on high or low?

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    1. Cook on LOW. I cook it all day while I'm at work. Good stuff!

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    2. Found this recipe while at the store. Trying it tonight!

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    3. Wonderful! Let me know how you like it! We just love it!

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  5. The recipe calls for mozzarella, but the photo shows Parmesan cheese. Which is correct?

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    1. The recipe calls for both. You mix the parmesan with the bread crumbs to coat the chicken. You sprinkle the top with mozzarella after all cooked and just keep heating until melted.

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  6. Your recipe doesn't specify and I bought a 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce. Is that too much or do I need to do less?!?

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    1. That should be just fine! We like to have extra sauce for our pasta so any excess will just be a plus. I use a large jar of sauce when I make it but I don't remember how many ounces that is. I'll check at the store to see what that is and update just to be safe.

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    2. Do you recommend high for less cooking hours?

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    3. I haven't cooked in the crockpot on high for less hours but I imagine cooking on high for 4-5 hours (using completely thawed chicken) would suffice? All crockpots are different so I just am not sure. You just want to make sure to cook the chicken all the way through.

      Another option would be cooking it in the oven - baking on 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hour.

      Let me know if you try this recipe. We love it!

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  7. Can I put this on high to speed up the process?

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    1. I'm sure you could put it on high to speed up the process. I have never done that. Also you can bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hour (if using completely thawed chicken).

      I imagine you could cook in the crockpot on high for 4-5 hours but all crockpots are different and I just have never done that. You just want to make sure the chicken gets cooked completely. Let me know if you try it! We love this recipe!

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  8. just put this in the crock pot now as I was looking though quick recipes and had everything on hand ! thanks excited to see how it turns out :)

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    1. Let me know how this works out for you! Thinking I should have put this in the crockpot this morning before I left for work. I'm starving already!

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  9. I've got this going in the crock pot right now! So excited to try it!

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  10. How did it turn out? Any recommendations? ⬆️⬆️⬆️

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  11. Just made this for my Mom... Her favorite meal! Hope it's GOOOOD!!!!

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  12. How does the breading on the chicken cook up? Is it soggy? I love the idea of utilizing the crock pot for this recipe. I just wonder about the texture as I have a few picky eaters!

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    1. I wonder that too, Shannon. With breading it and then putting the sauce on top I don't know how it doesn't get mushy or all fall off whenever you take it out of the crock pot. I wonder why nobody has replied to your question :\

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    2. I have this cooking now. The breading does not stay on. I imagine the bread crumb mix will add flavor none the less.

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  13. I have this cooking now and I can't wait to eat it during the game tonight!!!

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    1. Turned out amazing!! Even the hubby loved it! Will be making again.. Thank you!

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    2. I am so GLAD this turned out well for you! My family loved it as well but everyone has different crockpots so sometimes crockpot cooking isn't an exact science LOL! Thanks so much for your followup so that I know your family liked it. Thank you also for your reply to the Anonymous post explaining your use of two jars of sauce. Have a great day!

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  14. Mine came out burnt on the sides :\ maybe next time I'll use more sauce

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    1. I used 2 of the smaller ragu jars and it came out perfect. Extra is better when it comes to chicken parm

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  15. I forgot the bread crumbs will that affect anything?? And I'm doing the crock pot way on high hope it turns out good

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  16. Sorry new to this... do you dip the chicken in egg first before you dip it in the bread crumb/parm cheese mixture?

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    1. Hello Ashley! In my original recipe, it called for using a combination of egg/water, and dredging the chicken first in egg/water, then in crumbs/cheese, then in the egg/water, and in the crumbs/cheese again. But for this crockpot version, I just make sure my chicken is wet (from thawing or rinsing) and dredge in the bread crumbs/parmesan cheese without using any egg water. It makes the process quicker and for us - works just fine!

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  17. How much mozzarella cheese. I didnt see any specifications?

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    1. I just sprinkled some on and didn't measure it. I would say about a cup is good unless y'all like lots of cheese.

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  18. Making it this weekend! Excited but just curious on how the texture of the chicken comes out.... Soggy? Chewy? Crunchy?

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    1. I wonder about the mushy texture too!!

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    2. I started making this dish in the oven, covered in sauce to bake, so I don't notice any texture change really. My parmesan chicken isn't crunchy chicken with sauce as a topping, but is baked all together. I wouldn't call it soggy for sure, but definitely it won't be crunchy because it's cooked in a crockpot and gets steamy in there while it's cooking.

      Sorry I can't really help. My family really likes it though. :)

      Gina

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  19. Absolutely amazing! Just got done making this. Inexpensive, easy and awesome! Thanks for the recipe. Will definitely make again!

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  20. Going to try tomorrow! Thanks :)

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  21. Just threw it all in my crock pot! I added canned diced tomatoes & an extra little can of sauce. Hope it turns out this is my first time making anything in the crockpot (: thank you for the recipe gina!!

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  22. My family loved it! I will make it again. Nice to come home after work and have a ready dinner thats taste great. Thank you for posting this

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  23. is this possible to make in 6.5 - 7 hours? suggestions? About to make it now... have different settings on our new crockpot (newlywed)

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    1. Hello Sara! I believe most crockpots say you can use HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours. I would say my crockpot would be done on LOW in 7 hours. But, you would just have to check it. Sorry, I haven't ever tried this but I would say a high setting for 5 hours would suffice. Just make sure your chicken is completely thawed if using one of the quicker time frames.

      Good luck and let me know how it turns out.

      Gina

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  24. super easy recipe that turned out delicious!

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  25. Mine turned out really dry:( it was ok, my picky kids didn't like it:( but thank you for sharing.

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  26. Would this work for a big dinner, serving 6-8 people, just put that amount in & layer? Looking to make for next Saturday having family over for dinner.
    Thanks in advance.

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  27. Trying this tonight, will let you know how it turns out!!!! Love Chicken Parm!!!!!!

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  28. This turned out great. It cooked for longer than I wanted it to. I will start it during my lunch break and should be good to go when I get home. 6 hours on LOW with 6 semi-frozen tenderloins. The breading (parmesan & bread crumbs) falls off and cook within the spaghetti sauce so its not soggy. I added 2 24oz jars of Prego meat flavored spaghetti sauce and that fed my teenage son and I and still had leftovers. I also added fresh garlic, oregano and about a tablespoon of brown sugar (its the Filipina in me-we like things a little sweet). I topped mine with more freshly grated mozzarella. Will do this again.

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    1. Hello Jennifer! Thank you for your nice message and so glad this turned out well for you. The added spices and sugar sounds yummy. So glad your family liked it! Aren't crockpots just the most amazing thing? No way can I get home at 6PM and start any sort of dinner that takes very long. Mentally I cannot deal with it LOL so the crockpot really saves me most of the time. Today I'm having chicken tenderloins just topped with BBQ sauce and cooked all day. I know tonight, I will be so glad I spent the 5 minutes it took to throw it all in there. Thanks again for the message. I really appreciate knowing how it turned out for you! Have a great day.

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  29. Hi Gina. I don't have a crock-pot. Can I use a pressure cooker or the oven? If so, how long should I cook it in the pressure cooker or oven? The recipe sounds good and I'm always looking for new ways to make something.

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    1. Hello! Yes, you can use the oven! I haven't tried in a pressure cooker yet (although I do have a small one).

      For the oven - I bread the chicken and place in the sprayed dish (without sauce). I bake covered for about 30 minutes and 30 minutes uncovered (total one hour or until your chicken is done). Then I top with the sauce, bake again for about 15 minutes or so until hot and bubbly and then top with the cheese to melt.

      You're going to love it! (And if your family likes lots of sauce for the pasta, feel free to use more than one jar of sauce. Its' just about whatever your family's preferences are and how many people you are feeding.)

      Let me know how you like it!

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    2. What temperature do you bake it at in the oven?

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    3. What temperature do you cook it in the oven?

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  30. Very good recipe but I would definitely recommend another jar of sauce or maybe a large can of diced tomatoes to make more sauce for the noodles since the sauce thins out but the chicken is delicious.

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  31. I tried this recipe tonight and it was DE-LISH!!! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks so much for letting me know this worked out for you. I am so glad you liked it.

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  32. Can I prep this the night before and turn on in morning?

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    1. I haven't tried that before?? I'm afraid it may allow too much time and let the breading get soggy??

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  33. My chicken became a finely shredded mess after cooking on low for 8hrs. I didn't care for it like that at all. Maybe I should reduce the time?

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  34. I make chicken parmesan in the crock pot and cook on LOW for 5 hours ONLY! otherwise it will either turn to mush or be dry. That should take care of the problem.

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  35. Making this in the crockpot now and it looks watery and the breading is coming off of the chicken. It has been cooking.on.low for 6&1/2 hours now,should i go ahead and cut it off and check it?

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    1. It wouldn't hurt if you are home. All crockpots are so different. By all means - check it out and see what you think.

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  36. Currently putting together right now b4 work!!!

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  37. I forgot to mix cheese with bread crumbs when coating, can I just add it after its cooked?

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  38. 5 hours on low...no bread crumbs, completely submerged in sauce and my chicken is dry. Last week I grilled the same chicken and it was incredibly juicy.

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  39. I made this yesterday and it turned out extremely good. I used thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I dipped my chicken in beaten egg before coating in breadcrumbs. I sprayed the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray then layered the chicken alternating with sauce. I used a lot of sauce (2 1/2 jars with 2.5 lbs of chicken). I cooked it for 3 hours on high because I was pressed for time. The chicken came out juicy, nothing burned and it was great. I will make again for sure!

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    1. So thrilled that this worked out for you and that you liked it. Thanks for the message!

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  40.  Looks So Yummy! And it looks easier than I thought.

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  41. I can't wait to try this recipe this week. As a new Mom I'm always looking for easy, halthy meals to prepare for myself and my husband (with leftovers)! Thanks, Gina!

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  42. tried this tonight and it turned out great! Thanks for the recipe!!

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  43. Fan-Tastic!!!! Our awesome friend made this last night and it was so delicious I couldn't stop thinking about it. So I am making it again tonight! This recipe is a keeper!!

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  44. I tried this today, and it was great! I used two small Gladware-sized containers of homemade sauce and cooked on low for 6 hours. Perfect.

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  45. Just made this today, and it was delicious. I used two Gladware-sized containers of homemade sauce and cooked six mostly defrosted chicken thighs on low for 6 hours. Perfect.

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  46. Replies
    1. I'm not the author, but I don't see a reason why it couldn't be frozen. If you're serving it with pasta, I wouldn't freeze the pasta.

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  47. Will the chicken be crispy?

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  48. Has anyone ever tried this recipe without the sauce? I'm full-blooded Italian, and my family will not eat jarred sauce, and I don't have any frozen to use today. They do however love chicken romano which is what this would be without the sauce

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  49. I made this yesterday and it was so bland. This recipe doesn't call for any spices. Will not be making this ever again. Sorry

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  50. Oops - just made this but, out of habit, I dredged the chicken in flour & parm instead of bread crumbs and parm. Hopefully it won't make a huge difference.

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  51. Oops - I just made this and, out of habit, dredged the chicken in FLOUR and parm instead of breadcrumbs. I hope it doesn't make a huge difference!

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