Chicken Parmesan Sliders
This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Say hello to one of our easiest recipes: Chicken Parmesan Sliders. Throw a few ingredients into the crockpot (or Instant Pot), and you’ll have a family-favorite dinner for a busy night. Bonus: Freezing instructions included!
Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Hy-Vee (Columbia).
“I need more recipes like this in my life,” I told my husband, as he and the kids scarfed down slider after slider. When I don’t have to touch raw meat (can I get an amen?), I can just dump a few ingredients in a slow cooker, and a healthy and kid-friendly meal magically appears at dinner time…I’M IN!
Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Look no further for a slow cooker, chicken dump-and-go meal idea. The simplicity of this dinner will have you doing victory laps around your house. There isn’t any prep before placing the very few ingredients in the slow cooker either.
Here are the 5 ingredients you need:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fresh or frozen
- Jar of your favorite marinara (or Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce)
- Slider wheat buns or rolls (or homemade Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns)
- Grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
- Provolone cheese slices (or mozzarella cheese slices)
- Optional: pre-minced garlic and Italian seasoning (to add to the crockpot)
Where to Get Your Ingredients
We suggest grabbing all your ingredients at your local Hy-Vee grocery store or using their Aisles Online to have your groceries delivered or prepared for pick up. They are always well-stocked and offer the best meat and produce around.
To make things easy for you, we started a custom shopping cart with the Chicken Parmesan ingredients to save you time…
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Sliders
I mean, this really couldn’t be simpler. Check out this short video tutorial.
How Long Do I Cook Chicken Parmesan Sliders in the Slow Cooker?
After you dump all of your ingredients into the slow cooker, how long do you have to wait until dinner? You might be surprised at the answer. In fact, we wrote an entire post about how long to cook chicken in the slow cooker because so many people are doing it wrong! After loads of recipe testing, we have found that chicken breast is done after 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours in the slow cooker. This will vary on the type of slow cooker but it’s done quicker than you think!
Can I Make Chicken Parmesan Sliders in the Instant Pot?
Let’s say you aren’t home around the time these Chicken Parmesan Sliders need to go into the slow cooker. You can have Chicken Parmesan Sliders done in minutes using your Instant Pot! In fact, we have done the work and converted the recipe for you. Hop over to our Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Sliders recipe here.
How Do I Make This Into a Freezer Meal?
As with so many of our recipes, Chicken Parmesan Sliders freeze well. (Find all our Freezer Meal recipes here.) You have some options on how to make this a freezer meal.
Option 1: Prepare and Freeze Before Cooking
To Freeze:
Place raw chicken and marinara (and any optional seasonings) into a freezer-safe container or zip top bag and freeze. You can also wrap up the cheese slices and rolls tightly and freeze. Keep all ingredients in a grocery sack in the freezer, so the meal components are together.
To Prepare:
When ready to cook, thaw everything in the fridge for 24-48 hours. Place chicken & marinara into the slow cooker and follow steps 3-4.
Option 2: Freeze After Cooking
To Freeze:
Fully cook and cool the chicken. Place in a freezer-safe container or zip top bag. You can also wrap up the cheese slices and rolls tightly and freeze. Keep all ingredients in a grocery sack in the freezer, so the meal components are together.
To Prepare:
When ready to cook, thaw everything in the fridge for 24-48 hours. If chicken is still partially frozen, use the defrost setting on the microwave. Warm chicken mixture over medium-low on the stove stirring occasionally, in a slow cooker on low setting, or in the microwave. Serve according to the instructions in Step 4 of the recipe.
What to Serve with Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Keep this meal fast and healthy by adding in one or more of these simple side dishes.
- Oven Roasted Asparagus
- Leafy green salad with Parmesan Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Fresh Fruit
Other Slider Recipes
We are big fans of sliders because they are perfect for families (since kids can be smaller eaters) and can stretch a food budget pretty far. Here are some of the other slider recipes on our site:
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Just put a few ingredients in to the crockpot and you’ll have one of your favorite meals for a busy night!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 – 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- 1 jar (24 ounce) or 3 cups all-natural marinara sauce (or make your own)
- Optional: 2 teaspoons fresh pre-minced garlic
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed in hand
- 12 slider wheat buns or rolls (or make your own)
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 slices of Provolone cheese, cut into fourths (sub: Mozzarella cheese slices)
**All these ingredients are already loaded in a custom Hy-Vee shopping cart for you here!**
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Make It Now:
- Lightly season all sides of chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken breasts, marinara sauce, garlic (optional), and Italian seasoning (optional) to a slow cooker.
- Cook on LOW for 2 1/2 – 3 hours. Chicken is done when it shreds easily and is white all the way through (or registers 165°F internally). Shred with two forks.
- Optional: Preheat the broiler. Open up the buns and place them on a sheet pan, insides facing up. Broil for 1-2 minutes, until toasted. Watch closely so they don’t burn!
- To build a sandwich place some hot shredded chicken on a bun, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, top with two little pieces of Provolone or Mozzarella cheese, and pop the top of the bun in place.* Enjoy!
*If you’d like, place the sliders (open faced) on the sheet pan and broil for a 1 minute to melt the cheese.
Freeze For Later:
Option #1 (Uncooked): Place raw chicken and marinara (and any optional seasonings) into a freezer-safe container or gallon-sized freezer bag and freeze. You can also wrap up the cheese slices and rolls tightly and freeze. Keep all ingredients in a grocery sack in the freezer, so the meal components are together.
Option #2 (Fully Cooked): Fully cook, shred, and cool the chicken. Place in a freezer-safe container or zip top bag. You can also wrap up the cheese slices and rolls tightly and freeze. Keep all ingredients in a grocery sack in the freezer, so the meal components are together.
Prepare From Frozen:
Option #1 (Uncooked): Thaw everything in the fridge for 24-48 hours. Place chicken and marinara into the slow cooker and follow steps 3-4.
Option #2 (Fully Cooked): Thaw everything in the fridge for 24-48 hours. If chicken is still partially frozen, use the defrost setting on the microwave. Warm chicken mixture over medium-low on the stove, in a slow cooker on low setting, or in the microwave. Serve according to the instructions in Step 4 above.
Notes/Tips
- Storage Tip: A great way to store this freezer meal or leftovers is in our favorite reusable freezer bags.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR CUSTOM SHOPPING CART!
To make things easy for you, we started a custom shopping cart at Hy-Vee with the Cheesy Baked Tortellini ingredients to save you time…
Want More Dump and Go Meals?
We’ve rounded up 15+ amazing dump and go slow cooker recipes. Bonus: You can make them ahead and freeze these meals for later, too. Freezing instructions included!
Want More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes?
Check out our cookbook, From Freezer to Cooker! Every recipe is easy, drool-worthy, and made with recognizable, whole food ingredients, and what makes the book even more family friendly is its unique two-in-one style. Each recipe provides instructions on how to cook the same meal for both the slow cooker and the Instant Pot!
This is essentially giving home cooks double the recipes. From Freezer to Cooker is the first book of its kind to combine the ease and effectiveness of freezer cooking and hands-free appliances with healthy and delicious recipes.
Looks delicious. If you make your own sauce, how much do you put in the crock pot?
Great question! I just updated the recipe. You will need 3 cups of homemade marinara sauce.
Hi! Thanks so much for all of these recipes! It is so appreciated! I made this yesterday and it went over well-enough (of course one of the two kids didn’t like it as much! :)). But I wondered if there was a second recipe that the left over chicken could be used for (some sort of chicken Parmesan casserole)? My creations don’t always work out…LOL! Thanks!
Great question and yes! Our Chicken Parmesan Casserole is the #1 most popular recipe on our site. https://thrivinghomeblog.com/2013/07/chicken-parmesan-casserole-recipe-an-easy-freezer-meal/ P.S. Every meal is like what you described in our house too…usually there is on nay-sayer. Ha!
When you say 3-4 chicken breast, is that 3-4 full breasts or 3-4 1/2 breast, as they are packaged?
Thank you. Sounds delicious!
3-4 FULL.
Thank you. Making for our 4th of July party! Made the marinara sauce recipe. It rocks!!
Looks and sounds delicious! If using frozen chicken, will cooking times change?
Thank you!
I haven’t used frozen chicken before, so I’m sorry that I can’t advise on that one.
I used frozen chicken and it worked out perfectly, high for 6 hrs.
Making 9 batches of this for a meal swap this weekend. Sounds yummy!! Thanks!
★★★★★
That is awesome, Sharon! It’s so easy and a crowd favorite.
We are in the process of moving so I made this because it looked so simple. It was thoroughly enjoyed by 4 adults and a 1 year old! Thanks for the easy, delicious recipe!
I made this yesterday and it is DELICIOUS! Even my picky 3 year old asked for seconds. This will definitely be in rotation in my meal planning. Thank you for sharing these recipes!
★★★★★
Awesome! I love hearing success stories, especially with picky kiddos. yeah!
This recipe worked out great for my son’s first birthday party, so simple! Everyone was commenting on how delicious they were – My addition: I toasted up some panko breadcrumbs in butter.. People were able to scoop some on before adding the cheese and it gave it that crunch of chicken parm. Will definitely be making again!
Good idea!
Made these for dinner tonight and they were crazy good. The provolone really made the sandwiches. Love your recipes. I have a four month old and three year old and have just started freezer cooking. Freezer meals have allowed me to enjoy cooking again despite my busy work schedule. Your recipes and tips have been so much help. Thank you!
We love hearing that! I just made these last week too and am so glad we have leftovers!
This is in the crockpot right now and my house smells divine!!! Yum!
Yeah! You’ll have to let me know what the boys think. I hope they like it. You can tell Justin that this one doesn’t have any hidden spinach in it. 😉