Provolone Garlic Chicken Baked Ziti Crockpot Recipe

This Provolone Garlic Chicken Baked Ziti is the ultimate dump-and-forget dinner. Just layer raw chicken, ziti, marinara, and two kinds of cheese in your slow cooker, then walk away.

Hours later, you'll have a bubbling, cheesy, comforting pasta bake that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor.

This recipe takes all the comforting flavors of baked ziti and transfers them to your slow cooker. Tender chicken breast tenderloins simmer in a rich marinara sauce with ziti pasta, while dollops of whole-milk ricotta and a blanket of provolone melt into a creamy, cheesy finish.

The result is a hearty, hands-off dinner that the whole family will love. Just dump in the ingredients, set the timer, and come back to a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The slow cooker does all the work. By cooking on low heat for several hours, the chicken becomes tender and juicy, and the pasta absorbs the sauce, creating a cohesive, casserole-like texture.

The gentle heat also allows the cheeses to melt slowly, forming a creamy, indulgent sauce that coats every bite.

This method is foolproof. There's no need to boil pasta separately or brown the chicken first. Everything cooks together in one pot, which means fewer dishes and less hands-on time.

The layering of ingredients ensures that the chicken stays moist and the pasta cooks evenly without becoming mushy.

Notes and substitutions

Use a good-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor. Look for one with simple ingredients and no added sugar. Whole-milk ricotta adds richness, but part-skim works too. Shredded provolone melts beautifully; you can also use a bagged Italian blend if preferred.

The ziti pasta cooks right in the sauce, absorbing liquid and flavor. If you prefer a saucier result, add an extra 1/2 cup of marinara or a splash of chicken broth. The slow cooker size matters: a 7-quart model allows enough room for the ingredients to cook evenly without overflowing.

• chicken breast tenderloins: boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ziti pasta: penne, rigatoni, or other short tube pasta
• whole-milk ricotta: part-skim ricotta or cottage cheese (blended until smooth)
• provolone: mozzarella or fontina cheese

Equipment

• 7-quart slow cooker
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large spoon
• Serving spoon
• White dinner plate