Description
This Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Creamy Italian Chicken recipe combines juicy chicken breasts with zesty Italian dressing, rich cream cheese, and Parmesan to create a deliciously creamy and flavorful dish. Perfect for a hands-off meal, it cooks low and slow, ensuring tender, shreddable chicken that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
Sauce and Cheese
- 1 cup Italian dressing (zesty or regular, bottled)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened and cubed)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in an even layer in the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Slice thick breasts in half horizontally if needed to ensure even cooking.
- Coat with dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken and use tongs to turn and lightly coat each piece thoroughly.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is completely cooked through and very tender.
- Shred the chicken: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, or transfer the chicken to a cutting board for shredding and then return it to the slow cooker.
- Add cheeses and mix: Add the softened, cubed cream cheese and grated Parmesan cheese to the shredded chicken. Stir gently, then cover and let it sit on LOW for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the cheeses to melt and blend into a creamy sauce.
- Final touch and serve: Stir the mixture again until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or your preferred side dishes for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Thicker chicken breasts should be halved horizontally to ensure even cooking.
- Use either zesty or regular bottled Italian dressing depending on your heat preference.
- For a lower fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and Parmesan.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Optionally, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the dish when serving for extra flavor.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to balance the creamy richness.
