Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew

There’s just something magical about a cozy bowl of stew on a chilly day. When life gets busy and you still crave a homemade, comforting dinner, the slow cooker is your best friend. This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is one of those recipes that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly simple to make.

Tender chunks of chicken, hearty vegetables, and a rich parmesan-garlic cream sauce come together in the crockpot to create a dish that smells incredible while it cooks and tastes even better when it’s ready. With just a little prep in the morning, you’ll have a creamy, flavorful stew waiting for you at dinnertime.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or just want to treat yourself to a big bowl of comfort food, this recipe checks all the boxes. It’s warm, filling, and downright delicious — the kind of meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew

There are plenty of reasons this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew deserves a spot in your dinner rotation. It’s more than just another crockpot meal — it’s a creamy, flavorful comfort dish that everyone will love.

Comfort in Every Bite

Every spoonful is rich with garlic, parmesan, and tender chicken. The stew has that homemade taste that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

Easy Slow Cooker Recipe

Busy days call for easy dinners, and this recipe is as simple as it gets. Toss everything into the slow cooker, let it work its magic, and come back to a hearty chicken stew that’s ready when you are.

Family-Friendly

This garlic parmesan chicken stew is kid-approved and adult-loved. Pair it with crusty bread or rice, and you’ve got a balanced meal that satisfies picky eaters too.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew

One of the best parts about this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is how simple the ingredient list is. Everything works together to create a creamy, hearty meal without needing anything fancy.

Fresh Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, cubed)
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Flavor Boosters

• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pantry Staples

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (to thicken)

How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew (Step by Step)

Making this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is as easy as it gets. Just a little prep in the morning and your crockpot takes care of the rest. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1 – Prep the Ingredients

Wash and chop the vegetables. Dice the potatoes, slice the carrots and celery, and cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and set everything aside.

Step 2 – Build the Flavor

For deeper taste, heat a skillet with olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes. This step is optional but gives your chicken stew a richer flavor.

Step 3 – Add to the Slow Cooker

Place chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, broth, and seasonings into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.

Step 4 – Cook Low and Slow

Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender and vegetables are soft.

Step 5 – Make It Creamy

About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the parmesan cheese and heavy cream. If you like your stew thicker, add a cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water).

Step 6 – Serve & Enjoy

Ladle the creamy stew into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and sprinkle with extra parmesan if you’d like. Serve warm with bread, rice, or noodles.

Tips for the Best Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew

Even though this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is simple, a few little tricks can take it from good to unforgettable:

• Use chicken thighs for juicier meat. They stay tender and flavorful after slow cooking.
• Grate fresh parmesan. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly and can make the stew grainy.
• Control the thickness. If you like it thinner, add a splash of broth before serving. For thicker stew, mash some potatoes directly into the pot.
• Don’t skip the garlic. Freshly minced garlic adds depth that makes this stew truly shine.
• Finish with parsley. A sprinkle of fresh herbs at the end brightens up the creamy richness.
• Pair with bread or rice. This stew is hearty on its own, but crusty bread or fluffy rice makes it even more satisfying.

Variations & Substitutions

The beauty of this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is how versatile it is. You can easily adjust it to fit your taste, diet, or what you already have in the kitchen.

• Low-Carb Option: Swap potatoes for cauliflower or turnips. You’ll still get a hearty texture without the extra carbs.
• Extra Greens: Stir in spinach or kale during the last 10 minutes of cooking for a nutritious boost.
• Dairy-Free Version: Replace cream with coconut milk and parmesan with nutritional yeast for a creamy, savory twist.
• Different Proteins: Try turkey breast, Italian sausage, or even rotisserie chicken for a quick variation.
• Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for a little heat.
• Make It Thicker: Add an extra spoonful of parmesan or double the cornstarch slurry.

What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew

This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is hearty enough to shine on its own, but pairing it with the right side dish makes the meal feel complete. Here are some delicious ideas:

• Crusty Bread – Perfect for dipping into the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
• Steamed Rice – A fluffy bed of rice soaks up the stew beautifully.
• Egg Noodles – Turn your stew into a chicken pasta dish by serving it over noodles.
• Garlic Knots – Double up on the garlicky goodness with these soft, buttery bites.
• Fresh Green Salad – A crisp salad balances out the rich, creamy flavors.

Storage & Reheating

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is how well it keeps. That means you can enjoy it for dinner tonight and still have leftovers ready for quick meals during the week.

• Refrigeration: Store your stew in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: This stew freezes beautifully! Portion it into freezer-safe containers and keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If it seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream. For a quick option, microwave individual servings in short intervals, stirring in between.

More Recipes

• Mince and Cheese Pie
• Spicy Shrimp Bowls

FAQs

Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew Recipe

Print

This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is creamy, comforting, and loaded with flavor. Tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a rich parmesan-garlic sauce make it the perfect cozy dinner.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

Fresh Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, cubed)
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Flavor Boosters:

• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pantry Staples:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (to thicken stew if desired)

Instructions

1. Prep vegetables and cube chicken.
2. (Optional) Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for 2–3 minutes.
3. Add chicken, vegetables, broth, seasonings to the slow cooker.
4. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
5. Stir in parmesan, cream, and cornstarch slurry 30 minutes before serving.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve warm with bread, rice, or noodles.

Notes

• Chicken Options: Thighs stay juicier than chicken breasts during long slow cooking. Both work well!

• Parmesan Tip: Always grate parmesan from a block for the creamiest melt — pre-shredded cheese won’t blend as smoothly.

• Thickening the Stew: If you prefer a thicker stew, use a cornstarch slurry or mash some of the potatoes right into the pot.

• Vegetable Variations: Add mushrooms, green beans, or spinach near the end of cooking for extra flavor and nutrition.

• Meal Prep Friendly: This stew keeps well in the fridge for 4 days and freezes for up to 2 months.

• Serving Suggestion: Pair with crusty bread, rice, or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1 ½ cups)
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 420Total Fat: 19gCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 32g

Nutrition values are estimates and can vary based on ingredients used.

If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy dinner, this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is it. Creamy, hearty, and full of rich garlic-parmesan flavor, it’s the kind of recipe that turns a busy day into a warm, comforting night. With just a little prep and the magic of your crockpot, you’ll have a family-friendly meal that everyone will love.

Give it a try this week — and when you do, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below with your twist on the recipe, or snap a photo and tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see your bowl of comfort food magic.