Golden Parmesan Green Bean Chicken Tenders Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To make this dish even easier, you can assemble everything in the slow cooker insert the night before and refrigerate it.

In the morning, just place it in the base and turn it on. This is a great make-ahead option for busy mornings or for taking to a potluck.

For a lower-carb version, skip the noodles and serve the chicken and green beans over cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes.

You can also add a handful of frozen peas or corn during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra color and sweetness.

Variations

• Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms and add them along with the green beans for an earthy flavor. The mushrooms will absorb the creamy sauce and add extra texture, making the dish even more satisfying.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the cream cheese before adding it to the slow cooker. This adds a subtle warmth that complements the richness of the sauce.
• Use Chicken Thighs: Swap the chicken breast tenderloins for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Thighs are more forgiving and stay moist even with longer cooking times. Cook on low for 5-6 hours for the best texture.
• Vegetarian Version: Replace the chicken with a can of drained chickpeas or cubed firm tofu. Cook for the same time, and the beans will become tender while the tofu absorbs the creamy sauce. Serve over noodles as a hearty vegetarian main.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, stirring often, until heated through.

Reheat

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a tablespoon of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken when chilled; reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen it if needed.

This dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator before cooking. Simply prepare all the ingredients in the slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate.

When ready to cook, place the insert in the slow cooker base and cook as directed, adding about 30 minutes to the cooking time if starting from cold.

Serving ideas

Serve this dish over buttered egg noodles for a classic pairing, but it's also delicious with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce. A simple green salad or steamed broccoli would round out the meal nicely.

For a prettier presentation, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or extra Parmesan just before serving.

This dish is hearty enough to be a main course on its own, but you can also serve it as a side dish alongside roasted chicken or pork.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Golden Parmesan Green Bean Chicken Tenders

Prep 10 minCook 4 hTotal 4 h 10 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 8 chicken breast tenderloins
• 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 can condensed cream of onion soup
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 8 oz buttered twisted egg noodles

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breast tenderloins in a single layer in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Scatter the trimmed green beans over and around the chicken. Dollop the condensed cream of onion soup over the center, then add the softened cream cheese in chunks and sprinkle with the grated Parmesan.
2. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the green beans are tender. Do not stir during cooking, as this helps the sauce develop.
3. After 4 hours, check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) using an instant-read thermometer. The green beans should be easily pierced with a fork. If not, continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
4. Gently stir the contents of the slow cooker to combine the melted cream cheese and Parmesan into a smooth, velvety sauce. Be careful not to break up the chicken too much.
5. While the slow cooker is finishing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with butter.
6. Place a generous portion of buttered noodles on each plate. Use a serving spoon to lift the chicken and green beans from the slow cooker, letting the sauce coat them, and pile on top of the noodles.

Contains: gluten, milk, eggs

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

520

Protein

35 g

Carbohydrates

30 g

Fat

28 g

Fiber

3 g

Sugar

6 g

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.