SLOW COOKER ZESTY ITALIAN CHICKEN
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Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken, this easy weeknight dinner has bold flavors. It’s hearty, comforting, and great for any time of year! This versatile dinner entree recipe can be eaten alone, over pasta, rice, quinoa, or a bun.
After my Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe has been so popular with readers I wanted to develop another easy slow cooker chicken recipe that you guys would enjoy just as much. I think I’ve found it with this Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken recipe.
Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken
This dump-and-go chicken recipe takes just a few minutes to prep then time and the slow cooker does the work.
While it’s not completely carb-free because I used cream of chicken soup, it is low-carb. This recipe is also easy and tastes fantastic. Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken tastes like chicken n dumplings without the dumplings. The broth is seasoned with Zesty Italian Seasoning Mix, garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper which makes it spectacular! Truly!
If needed, this keeps well on the warm setting. Make sure the chicken is cooked through before turning to low.
I like to serve it with a Wedge Salad, Orange Salad, or Deconstructed Green Bean Bundles.
Zesty Chicken Tips
- Get my favorite slow cooker here.
- I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. It won’t dry out unless you over-cook it. Yes, you can over-cook chicken in the Crock-Pot. Boneless, skinless chicken is easier to shred. You can use chicken thighs or bone-in chicken breasts if you prefer.
- As well, I used Zesty Italian Seasoning. If this is too much for your younger children use traditional Italian seasoning. DO NOT prepare the Italian seasoning mix packet. Add the dry seasoning straight from the packet.
- Cut the
cream cheese into small cubes. This will help it melt easier in the slow cooker.
Can I cook this recipe on the stove?
Yes. First, add the chicken and remaining ingredients to a casserole dish. Next, cover and cook it in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Finally, shred it with two forks.
Can I freeze Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe?
As well, this chicken recipe freezes well. Freeze it in an airtight container and let it thaw fully before reheating, you can definitely make this cooked chicken days ahead of time and store it in your freezer.
While you’re here, check out these slow cooker recipes!
- FAVORITE! CROCK POT CRACK CHICKEN RECIPE
- MUST MAKE! CROCK POT CRACK HASH BROWN POTATOES
- HEALTHY SLOW COOKER TEX MEX CHICKEN SOUP
- Instant Pot Italian Chicken
- Hash Brown Slow Cooker Potato Soup
- You can also find great recipes at Recipe Index
Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken
Ingredients
- 4-5 medium chicken breasts boneless, skinless. see notes above for substitutions
- 1 tablespoon McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Chicken seasoning Grill Mates Montreal Chicken
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 10 ounce can cream of chicken I used fat free
- 1 envelope Zesty Italian dressing mix Zesty Italian Dressing mix
- 8 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup whole milk or as needed
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- rice, quinoa, or pasta to serve over
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Spray a large slow cooker insert with cooking spray or line with a slow cooker liner.
- Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Season chicken with Montreal chicken seasoning, salt, pepper, and Zesty Italian seasoning.
- Pour cream of chicken soup over the top of the chicken.
- Place cubed cream cheese over the cream of chicken.
- Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low heat 5 to 6 hours OR on high heat 4 hours.
- Remove chicken breasts, add Parmesan cheese, and whisk sauce to combine. Shred chicken with two forks. Return chicken to sauce and stir to combine.
- If it's too thick, you can thin out with a little milk.
- Serve alone or over pasta, rice, or quinoa.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.
I added a can of mild rotel to this and poured over tortilla chips! Added sour cream and green onions on top for a change in my Nacho night at home. Everyone loved it. I have topped with more cheese and black olives also. I added cilantro to the dish and I personally loved it , though my family isnt a cilantro fan it was still a hit.
This is delicious! I made it a day ahead, as something easy for the family after I had minor surgery. I was
going to serve it on noodles, but hubby opted for having it on hamburger buns instead (even easier). Everyone really liked it!
Awe, I love that you’re taking care of them even when you’re having surgery. I hope it went well for you. And, I’m happy they liked it. Thank you for commenting.
Just made this tonight. Super easy. I didn’t add any salt and I’m so glad I didn’t. It was very salty to me. Any suggestions on how to reduce the saltiness? I’m guessing a different Italian seasoning mix..
Other than that I liked it and will try it again.
Try a low sodium cream of chicken and/or make the Italian seasoning without salt. I use this
2 Tbsp dried basil
1 Tbsp. dried thyme
1 Tbsp. dried marjoram
1 Tbsp. dried rosemary
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. dried coriander
I tried Shredded chicken and I was good but a little dry than I thought it should be. I didn’t use the crock pot but the stove top and oven. Next time I will use the cock pot.
It was good but I won’t make it again. I thought it was too rich with the cream cheese. If I were to make it again I would cut the amount of cream cheese in half. We ate it over mashed potatoes.
You could add another cream of chicken soup to make it not so “rich” in cream cheese.
*replying for others looking to make this. 🙂
We love this recipe and I have 3 littles who gooble it up.
Thank you Roz! ❤️
Do you put the Parmesan in the crock pot or when served? Recipe doesn’t say
I put it in the slow cooker
Simple and really yummy, I doubled the recipe and it was wonderful
So good over noodles with shredded parmesan and parsley on top