Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons
Cesar chicken in the crockpot is a one-bottle dinner: chicken breasts cook in Caesar dressing and a little broth until they shred apart. Pile it on rolls, toss it into salad or spoon it over pasta.
Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes5
hoursChicken breasts simmer in Caesar dressing, broth and garlic, then shred and soak up the sauce. A fast way to fill sandwiches or top salads.
Ingredients
2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup creamy Caesar dressing
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 cup croutons, for topping
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
6 sandwich rolls or 8 oz cooked pasta
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
- Season the chicken breasts with the salt and pepper. Place them in a single layer in the slow cooker.
- Whisk the Caesar dressing, broth, garlic, Italian seasoning and lemon juice in a bowl. Pour over the chicken.
- Sprinkle half of the Parmesan on top. Cover.
- Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and reads 165°F.
- Remove the chicken to a large bowl and shred it with two forks.
- Skim any visible fat from the cooking liquid in the pot.
- Return the chicken to the pot and stir with the juices. Add the remaining Parmesan.
- Cover and let it warm on LOW for 10 minutes so the chicken soaks up the sauce.
- Taste and add more lemon juice or pepper if needed.
- Serve on rolls with romaine, over pasta, or on a bed of salad, topped with croutons and parsley.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use a light Caesar dressing and add extra broth. Leftovers keep 4 days in the fridge. The shredded chicken is good in wraps, quesadillas or topped on a baked potato.
Why Caesar dressing works as a slow cooker sauce
A good Caesar dressing already contains garlic, lemon, anchovy, oil and cheese, which is most of a sauce. Slow cooking blends those flavors into the chicken so each shred tastes seasoned all the way through. It is one of the fastest dinners to put together, since you only open a bottle and a bag, and it feeds a family of six.
The oil in the dressing also helps lean chicken breasts stay moist. With only broth, breast meat can turn stringy. Here the creamy dressing coats the meat and keeps it tender while it shreds. A quick stir at the end brings the sauce back together and gives you shreds coated all the way through.
Ingredient notes
Chicken breasts: large ones can be cut in half so they cook evenly. Thighs also work and give a juicier, richer result. Smaller breasts of about six ounces each cook in less time, so start checking them at three hours.
Caesar dressing: use a creamy bottled or refrigerated dressing with real Parmesan. Thin vinaigrette-style versions make a watery sauce.
Chicken broth: just a half cup keeps the pot from scorching. More would dilute the flavor. A thick, creamy dressing gives the best sauce. If the bottle separates, shake it well before measuring.
Parmesan: grated from a wedge melts better than shelf-stable shaker cheese, which can stay gritty.
Lemon juice: a splash at the end wakes up the flavors that long cooking has dulled.
Tips for the best Caesar chicken
Do not drown the chicken: a little liquid is enough. The chicken will release its own juices as it cooks. The dressing has plenty of salt already, so taste before adding any more salt at the end.
Shred while hot: warm chicken pulls apart easily, and it absorbs the sauce faster than cold chicken. A pair of forks and a few minutes is all you need, and the pieces come out in even, tidy shreds.
Do not overcook, the most common mistake: breast meat left for eight hours turns dry and stringy, even in sauce. Check at four hours and stop when it shreds easily.
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Swaps and variations
Use garlic-ranch dressing for a tangier twist, or add a spoonful of pesto for an herby version. Add a handful of sun-dried tomatoes at the end. For gluten-free, check the dressing label and skip the croutons. Crisp bacon bits or sliced cherry tomatoes on top make the plate feel more complete.
Do not use a fat-free dressing. It lacks the oil that keeps chicken moist, and the sauce may turn watery and sharp instead of creamy. The one swap to avoid also includes cooking frozen breasts straight from the freezer, which leaves the center underdone.
What to serve with it
Pile the chicken into toasted rolls with crisp romaine for a Caesar sandwich, or toss with warm penne for a quick pasta. For a lighter plate, serve over salad with extra croutons, shaved Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon. For a party, keep the chicken on WARM and set out rolls, lettuce and extra dressing.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate the shredded chicken in its sauce for up to 4 days. Store croutons and lettuce separately so they stay crisp. Do not add the croutons until the moment you eat, since they go soft within a few minutes.
Freeze in zip bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth until hot throughout.
Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 5 hours
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 13, led by boneless skinless chicken breasts, creamy Caesar dressing, low-sodium chicken broth, garlic
Tips for Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons
For a lighter version, use a light Caesar dressing and add extra broth. Leftovers keep 4 days in the fridge. The shredded chicken is good in wraps, quesadillas or topped on a baked potato.
Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons FAQ
How long does Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons take?
Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons takes 5 hours of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Caesar Chicken with Parmesan and Croutons?
13 ingredients, led by boneless skinless chicken breasts, creamy Caesar dressing, low-sodium chicken broth, garlic. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
