Ingredients:
- 1 bottle (12-16 oz) Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce – This is the base of your sauce, bringing the signature garlic Parmesan flavor.
- 16 oz heavy whipping cream – Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
- 1 (8 oz) block of cream cheese, cubed – Helps thicken the sauce and adds a velvety texture.
- 1 (6 oz) bag of shredded Parmesan cheese – Enhances the Parmesan flavor and gives the dish a cheesy bite.
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – The protein for the dish, cooked until tender and shredded.
- 12-16 oz penne pasta – Penne is sturdy enough to hold the creamy sauce. You can adjust the amount based on how saucy you want the pasta to be.
- Salt and pepper – For additional seasoning (optional).
Equipment:
- Crockpot (slow cooker) – For cooking the chicken and sauce slowly to meld flavors.
- Large pot – For boiling the pasta.
- Tongs or two forks – For shredding the chicken.
- Large spoon or spatula – For stirring the pasta and sauce together.
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crockpot:
- Set up your crockpot on a flat surface and plug it in. Set it to « high. »
- Combine the sauce ingredients: Pour the entire bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce into the crockpot. Then, add the 16 oz of heavy whipping cream, the cubed block of cream cheese (cut into 1-inch cubes so it melts more easily), and the shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Stir gently using a spatula or large spoon to combine everything. Don’t worry if the cream cheese isn’t fully melted at this stage—this will happen as it cooks.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
- Season the chicken (optional): Lightly season your chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavor. This is optional since the sauce has plenty of seasoning already.
- Add the chicken to the crockpot: Place the 3 chicken breasts into the crockpot, making sure they’re submerged in the creamy garlic Parmesan mixture. This ensures they absorb all the flavors as they cook.
- Cover and cook: Put the lid on the crockpot and set it to cook on high for 3 ½ hours. The chicken will cook slowly, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop flavor while the chicken becomes tender and easy to shred.
3. Check on the Chicken and Sauce:
- Stir occasionally: Every 45 minutes to an hour, give the sauce a gentle stir to help incorporate the melting cream cheese and Parmesan. This will ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
- Check for doneness: After 3 ½ hours, the chicken should be fully cooked and tender. You can check by piercing the chicken with a fork—if it pulls apart easily, it’s ready.
4. Shred the Chicken:
- Remove the chicken: Using tongs, carefully take the chicken breasts out of the crockpot and transfer them to a cutting board.
- Shred the chicken: Use two forks to pull the chicken apart into bite-sized pieces. You want the chicken to be well-shredded so it distributes evenly throughout the sauce.
- Return the chicken to the crockpot: After shredding, add the chicken back into the sauce in the crockpot. Stir to combine the chicken with the creamy garlic Parmesan mixture.
5. Cook the Pasta:
- Boil water: While the sauce is finishing, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Salt is important as it enhances the flavor of the pasta.
- Cook the penne: Add the 12-16 oz of penne pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions until the pasta is al dente (firm to the bite, usually about 10-12 minutes).
- Drain the pasta: Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside. You can toss the pasta with a small drizzle of olive oil to keep it from sticking together while you wait.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the pasta to the crockpot: Once the pasta is drained, add it directly into the crockpot with the chicken and sauce. Stir gently but thoroughly, ensuring all the pasta is coated with the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
- Adjust consistency: If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of milk or more heavy cream to loosen it up. Stir until the pasta is fully incorporated into the sauce.
7. Taste and Season:
- Taste for seasoning: Now’s the time to taste your dish and adjust as necessary. If you like a little extra kick, you can add some freshly cracked black pepper or even red pepper flakes for heat.
- Final stir: Give everything one last good stir to make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
8. Serve:
- Spoon the pasta into bowls or plates while it’s hot.
- Optional garnish: For extra flavor and color, sprinkle a little extra shredded Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh parsley on top.
9. Optional Add-ins:
- If you’d like to add spinach for more color and flavor, stir in 2-3 cups of fresh spinach about 10 minutes before serving. The spinach will wilt down quickly in the hot sauce.
Tips:
- For added flavor: You can sauté the chicken breasts for a few minutes before placing them in the crockpot. This can add a nice sear and deepen the flavor of the chicken.
- Make it spicy: Add a dash of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a slight heat.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
Enjoy your rich, flavorful Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with creamy goodness in every bite!