Crock Pot Chicken Parmigiana
Tender chicken breasts are breaded, slow-cooked in rich marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1.5 lbs / 680g
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs 60g
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 50g
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt 3g
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz / 680g
- 2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese divided, 8 oz / 225g
- Cooking spray
- 8 oz dry spaghetti or other pasta for serving, 225g
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Lightly coat the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
- In a shallow dish, whisk the egg.
- In a second shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Dip each chicken breast into the whisked egg, letting any excess drip off. Then, press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides.
- Arrange the coated chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared slow cooker. You may need to overlap them slightly.
- Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- While the cheese melts, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Serve the chicken parmigiana over the cooked pasta, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
Food Safety: Ensure the chicken is fully cooked by testing the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer. It must register at least 165°F (74°C).
Browning Is Optional: For a deeper flavor and a slightly firmer breading, you can pan-sear the coated chicken in a little olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side before adding it to the slow cooker.
Avoid Overcrowding: For best results, arrange the chicken in a single layer if possible. If you must overlap, the breading may be softer where the pieces touch.
Sauce Choice: The quality of your marinara sauce will greatly influence the final dish, so choose one you enjoy.