Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 5 hours 20 minutes
Ingredients
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
12 slices bacon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. If the breasts are very thick, gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly.
Season the Chicken
In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Rub the seasoning mixture over all sides of the chicken breasts.
Wrap with Bacon
Wrap each seasoned chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon. Try to slightly overlap the bacon as you wrap it around the chicken so it stays in place during slow cooking.
Prepare the Garlic Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, heavy cream, softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, thyme, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes if using.
Whisk until the cream cheese is mostly incorporated. Small lumps are fine because they will melt during cooking.
Arrange in the Slow Cooker
Lightly grease the slow cooker with olive oil.
Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in a single layer inside the slow cooker.
Pour the creamy garlic sauce around and partially over the chicken. Avoid completely covering the bacon because leaving some bacon exposed helps preserve its flavor.
Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
Cook on LOW for approximately 4–5 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Avoid overcooking because chicken breasts can become dry if left in the slow cooker for too long.
Thicken the Sauce
About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth.
Stir the mixture into the creamy sauce around the chicken.
Replace the lid and cook on HIGH for about 10–15 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Optional Bacon Crisping
Slow-cooked bacon will be tender rather than extremely crispy.
If you want crispy bacon, carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a baking sheet.
Broil for 2–4 minutes until the bacon becomes browned and crisp. Watch it carefully because bacon can burn quickly.
Finish the Dish
Spoon plenty of the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce over each chicken breast.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan if desired.
Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this creamy chicken with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, green beans, cauliflower mash, rice, pasta, or a simple green salad.
For a low-carb meal, cauliflower mash, zucchini noodles, roasted asparagus, or steamed broccoli work particularly well.
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving, based on 6 servings:
Calories: 560–620 kcal
Protein: 45–52 g
Carbohydrates: 7–10 g
Fat: 38–43 g
Saturated Fat: 16–19 g
Fiber: 0–1 g
Sugar: 2–3 g
Sodium: 1,000–1,250 mg
Cholesterol: 175–200 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts, bacon, cream cheese, Parmesan, and amount of sauce consumed.
Recipe Notes
For the best texture, use chicken breasts that are similar in size so they cook at approximately the same rate.
Do not add too much extra salt because bacon, Parmesan, chicken broth, and cream cheese can all contain significant amounts of sodium.
For richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-shredded Parmesan.
For extra garlic flavor, add 1–2 additional cloves of roasted or minced garlic.
If you want a slightly spicy version, add red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne pepper.
For a mushroom version, add 8 oz sliced mushrooms around the chicken before slow cooking.
For a spinach version, stir in 2 cups fresh spinach during the final 15–20 minutes of cooking.
For a cheesy version, sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella over the chicken during the final 15 minutes.
Q&A
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
A: Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and usually remain juicier during slow cooking.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: It is safer to thaw the chicken completely in the refrigerator before placing it in a slow cooker so it reaches a safe temperature reliably.
Q: Will the bacon become crispy in the slow cooker?
A: No. The moist slow-cooker environment generally makes bacon tender rather than crispy. Broiling the cooked chicken for a few minutes gives the bacon a crisp finish.
Q: Can I make this recipe without cream cheese?
A: Yes. You can increase the heavy cream slightly and use additional Parmesan, although the sauce will be less thick and creamy.
Q: Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
A: Yes, but the sauce will be lighter and less rich. You may need a little additional cornstarch to achieve the same thickness.
Q: Why is my creamy sauce too thin?
A: Slow cookers produce steam and condensation, which can thin the sauce. A cornstarch slurry added near the end is an easy way to thicken it.
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes. Cooked chicken and sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently until the chicken is hot throughout.
Q: Can I freeze creamy garlic chicken?
A: Yes, although cream-based sauces can sometimes change texture slightly after freezing and thawing. Freeze in an airtight container and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Q: How do I know the chicken is done?
A: The thickest part of the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when checked with a food thermometer.
Q: Can I add vegetables?
A: Yes. Mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and green beans all work well. Firmer vegetables should be added earlier, while delicate vegetables such as spinach should be added near the end.
Q: Is this recipe keto-friendly?
A: It can fit a keto-style meal plan because it is high in protein and relatively low in carbohydrates, but check the labels of your bacon, broth, cream cheese, and other ingredients because carbohydrate amounts vary by brand.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
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