Finding a main course that suits everyone’s tastes while requiring minimal kitchen time can be a challenge. I developed this method after many attempts to capture the specific flavor of a popular restaurant sauce in a home-cooked meal. This recipe solves that by using a store-bought sauce as a foundation for a deeply flavorful slow cooker dish.
You can create a rich, garlicky pasta bake with tender chicken using just a few core ingredients. The slow cooker does the majority of the work, transforming simple components into a cohesive meal. Let’s walk through the precise steps to achieve this result consistently in your own kitchen.
How to Make crockpot chicken recipe with buffalo wild wings parmesan garlic Sauce
This section provides the complete blueprint for preparing the dish. Follow these steps in order for the best outcome. Gather your ingredients and tools before beginning to ensure a smooth cooking process.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on LOW
- Servings: 6
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains dairy, gluten
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (12 oz) bottle Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce
- 8 oz block cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup whole milk or heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12 oz penne pasta or similar shape
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Lightly spray the insert of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the chicken in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared crockpot.
- Pour the entire bottle of Parmesan Garlic sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Fill the empty sauce bottle with the milk, seal it, and shake vigorously to capture all remaining sauce.
- Pour this liquid into the slow cooker and distribute the cubed cream cheese over the top.
- Sprinkle with black pepper and red pepper flakes if using. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the cooker, add the drained pasta and half the grated Parmesan, and stir until fully combined and heated through.
- Serve immediately, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Protein: 48 g
- Fat: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
Cooking Method
This dish uses a low-temperature, moist-heat cooking method. The slow cooker environment gently braises the chicken in the sauce and dairy, preventing the meat from drying out. This extended time allows the flavors from the bottled sauce to penetrate the chicken fully while the cream cheese melts and thickens the liquid into a cohesive sauce.
Building on this, the final stir-in of cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese is a critical step. It combines the separately cooked elements, letting the pasta absorb the sauce without becoming mushy. This two-stage cooking ensures ideal texture for both the protein and the starch.
Tools Needed
- 6-quart or larger slow cooker
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander
- Two forks for shredding chicken
- Grater for fresh Parmesan cheese
Understanding Your Ingredients
The simplicity of this recipe depends on the synergy of a few key components. Each one plays a distinct role in building the final flavor and texture profile. Choosing the right versions of these ingredients directly impacts your result.
The Foundation: Chicken Cuts
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts offer a lean, quick-cooking protein that shreds easily. Thighs provide more fat and connective tissue, resulting in a richer flavor and more forgiving texture during the long cook time. For breasts, lean towards the 3-hour mark on LOW to prevent dryness.
Consequently, chicken thighs can comfortably cook for the full 4 hours, becoming exceptionally tender. The choice depends on your preference for leanness versus succulence, as both will work within the recipe’s framework.
The Flavor Catalyst: The Sauce
Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce is a prepared condiment blending Parmesan cheese, garlic, oil, and buttermilk solids. Its specific emulsified consistency and seasoning balance are designed for coating wings, making it an ideal concentrated base. Other brands of “garlic Parmesan” or “Alfredo” sauce often have different viscosity and salt levels.
However, using the specified brand ensures the tested flavor and consistency. If you must substitute, consider thinning a thicker Alfredo sauce with a bit of milk and adding a pinch of garlic powder. The signature taste comes from this particular product’s unique blend.
Dairy for Richness and Texture
Full-fat cream cheese is non-negotiable for body and tang. Its stabilizers prevent the sauce from separating or becoming oily during cooking. The milk, or heavier cream, serves a dual purpose. It hydrates the dry components of the bottled sauce and creates the necessary liquid for braising.
Furthermore, freshly grated Parmesan cheese added at the end introduces a sharp, salty, nutty flavor that powdered cheese cannot replicate. It also slightly thickens the sauce further through the starches released during melting. This layering of dairy creates a complex creaminess.
Recipe Science and Adaptations
Knowing the principles behind the method empowers you to adapt and troubleshoot. This knowledge turns a single recipe into a template for numerous successful meals. Let’s examine the critical variables you can control.
Managing Heat and Time
Slow cookers vary in their actual heating intensity. The 3-4 hour window on LOW is vital for chicken breasts. At the 3-hour mark, check for an internal temperature of 165°F. If your cooker runs hot, the shorter time may be perfect. For thighs, the longer 4-hour period helps render fat and break down tissue.
Additionally, avoid cooking on HIGH to accelerate the process. The high heat can cause the dairy to break, resulting in a greasy, separated sauce. The low, gentle heat is integral to the sauce’s emulsified, creamy final texture.
Dietary Modifications
For a lower-carbohydrate version, omit the pasta entirely. Serve the saucy shredded chicken over steamed cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. You can also add extra vegetables like spinach or diced broccoli to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
To address gluten concerns, use a certified gluten-free pasta and verify the bottled sauce is gluten-free. For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and milk, though the sauce may be slightly less rich and more prone to thinning.
Serving and Storage Guidance
This dish is best served immediately after combining. If you need to hold it, keep the sauce and pasta separate until just before serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta will continue to absorb liquid, so you may need to add a splash of milk or broth when reheating.
For longer storage, freeze the shredded chicken and sauce portion without the pasta. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stove, cooking fresh pasta to add when serving. This prevents the pasta from becoming overly soft and mushy after freezing.
Companion Dishes and Flavor Balancing
While a complete meal on its own, side dishes can enhance the dining experience. Consider the rich, garlicky, and salty profile of the main dish when selecting accompaniments. Your goal is to provide contrast and refresh the palate.
A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette cuts through the richness effectively. Steamed or roasted green vegetables, such as broccoli or asparagus, offer a fresh, crisp counterpoint. For a classic pairing, a side of garlic bread is always welcome, but consider toasting it well for added texture.
Remember that the pasta dish itself is quite hearty. Lighter, acidic, or crunchy sides prevent the meal from feeling overly heavy. They introduce different textures and flavors that make each component more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce?
You can find Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce in the condiment or sauce aisle of most major grocery stores, typically near other bottled wing sauces and marinades. It is also frequently available at large retail chains like Walmart or Target, and you can purchase it directly from some Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant locations.
Can I use chicken broth instead of milk?
Using chicken broth instead of milk will create a less creamy, more savory sauce and is a suitable substitution if you are out of milk. The final dish will have a thinner consistency and a flavor profile leaning more towards a garlic chicken soup than a creamy pasta sauce, so adjust your expectations accordingly.
How can I make the sauce less thick?
If your sauce becomes too thick, especially with leftovers, gradually stir in additional warm milk or chicken broth one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. The pasta absorbs a significant amount of liquid as it sits, so reheating often requires this adjustment.
Is this dish very spicy?
The standard Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce is not spicy; it is a creamy, garlic-forward sauce. The optional red pepper flakes add a subtle heat. For a spicy kick, you could add a dash of cayenne pepper or use a portion of Buffalo Wild Wings’ classic hot sauce along with the Parmesan Garlic sauce.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the chicken and sauce mixture in the slow cooker ahead of time, then store it refrigerated for up to two days before reheating and adding freshly cooked pasta. I do not recommend cooking the pasta ahead of time, as it will become too soft when combined with the sauce and reheated.
What is the best pasta shape to use?
Short, sturdy shapes with grooves or tubes like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle (bow tie) are best. These shapes hold the thick, creamy sauce effectively and maintain their texture when stirred into the slow cooker. Avoid long, thin pasta like spaghetti or delicate shapes like angel hair.
Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
You can add hardy vegetables like diced bell peppers or onions at the start. For softer vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy and releasing too much water into the sauce.