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Slow Cooker Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken

Slow Cooker Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken

Slow Cooker Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken is a hearty, creamy, and comforting dish that features tender chicken breasts slow-cooked with gooey mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed tomatoes. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dinner, this recipe requires minimal effort while delivering rich, melty, family-friendly flavors everyone will love.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Sauces and Cheese

  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes or 1½ cups marinara sauce
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into chunks
  • 1½ cups fresh shredded mozzarella cheese

Garnish (Optional)

  • 2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to build layers of flavor right from the start.
  2. Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Evenly spread the minced garlic over the chicken. Pour the crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce on top, then dot softened cream cheese chunks over the sauce to create creamy pockets during cooking.
  3. Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cook for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and the flavors to meld deeply into a comforting, slow-cooked dish.
  4. Add Mozzarella Cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let the cheese melt thoroughly, forming a thick, gooey layer over the chicken.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, carefully scoop out portions of the chicken and sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley to add a bright, fresh herbal aroma and enhance visual appeal before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh shredded mozzarella for the best creamy texture.
  • Do not overcook the chicken; 4 to 6 hours on low is optimal to keep it tender and juicy.
  • Soften cream cheese before adding to ensure even distribution in the sauce.
  • Add shredded mozzarella cheese late in cooking to avoid burning and achieve perfect melted layers.
  • Allow the dish to rest with the lid off for 5 minutes after cooking to thicken the sauce slightly.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, cheesy chicken, mozzarella chicken, easy dinner, creamy chicken, comfort food