Provolone Garlic Chicken Baked Ziti Crockpot Recipe Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For the best texture, use a good-quality marinara sauce with a thick consistency. If your sauce is thin, you can stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste before cooking.

Also, ensure the slow cooker is at least half full for even cooking. If you have a smaller slow cooker, reduce the ingredients proportionally.

To achieve a golden, bubbly top, you can transfer the cooked dish to a broiler-safe pan and broil for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully.

However, if your slow cooker insert is not broiler-safe, skip this step. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

Variations

• Spicy Sausage: Add 1/2 pound of cooked Italian sausage or ground beef to the slow cooker along with the chicken. Brown the meat first in a skillet, then drain and add. This adds extra flavor and heartiness.
• Vegetarian: Omit the chicken and add 2 cups of sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. Increase the marinara sauce by 1 cup to compensate for the liquid. Cook on low for 3 hours, or until the vegetables are tender.
• Extra Garlic: Add 4 cloves of minced garlic to the slow cooker along with the herbs. For even more garlic flavor, use garlic-infused olive oil in place of the marinara sauce.
• Creamy Alfredo: Replace 1 cup of the marinara sauce with 1 cup of Alfredo sauce. This creates a pink, creamy sauce that pairs beautifully with the chicken and cheeses.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of water or sauce to maintain moisture.

Freezer

This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.

Reheat

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will continue to absorb sauce, so you may want to add a splash of water or extra marinara when reheating to restore moisture.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat.

You can assemble the entire dish in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, place the insert into the slow cooker and cook on low as directed. You may need to add 30 minutes to the cooking time because you are starting from cold.

Serving ideas

Serve this baked ziti hot, straight from the slow cooker, with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley if desired. It pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread to soak up the extra sauce. For a complete meal, add a side of roasted vegetables or steamed broccoli.

This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but you can also serve it as a main course for a family dinner or casual gathering. Portion it into bowls and top with extra shredded provolone or a drizzle of olive oil. Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Provolone Garlic Chicken Baked Ziti Crockpot Recipe

Prep 10 minCook 4 hTotal 4 h 10 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 2 lb chicken breast tenderloins
• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 4 cups marinara sauce
• 2 tsp Italian herb seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded provolone cheese

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breast tenderloins in the bottom of a 7-quart slow cooker in an even layer. Add the ziti pasta on top of the chicken. Pour the marinara sauce over the pasta, then sprinkle with the Italian herb seasoning. Stir gently to coat the pasta and chicken with the sauce.
2. Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta cheese over the top of the mixture. Sprinkle the shredded provolone cheese evenly over the ricotta. Do not stir after adding the cheeses.
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the pasta is tender. Do not lift the lid during cooking, as this releases heat and slows the cooking.
4. Once the chicken is cooked through and the pasta is tender, stir the mixture gently to combine the cheeses into the sauce. Serve hot, spooning onto plates or bowls.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

690

Protein

52 g

Carbohydrates

64 g

Fat

24 g

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