Slow Cooker Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Recipe – A Family Favorite Full of Flavor

Let your slow cooker do the work with this easy slow cooker cheesy mozzarella chicken recipe! With tender chicken, marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella, it’s everything you want in a comforting, family-friendly dinner — with almost no effort. Whether you’re coming home from a long workday or juggling homework and hungry kids, this recipe is warm, reliable, and ridiculously satisfying.

A Taste of Italy in Our Slow Cooker

A few years ago, on a trip to Florence, we wandered into a tiny trattoria just off the Arno River. It was one of those cozy spots where the menu is handwritten, and the air smells like garlic, tomatoes, and melted cheese. The kids were a little jetlagged, a lot hungry, and suddenly very quiet — too busy devouring their chicken parm to complain.

That moment stuck with me. It wasn’t fancy — just chicken, sauce, and cheese — but it was perfect.

Back home, I started dreaming up a simpler way to bring that flavor to our weeknights, without a frying pan or hours in the kitchen. This slow cooker cheesy mozzarella chicken recipe is my love letter to that meal, made with busy families in mind. And if you’re craving another Italian-inspired crockpot dinner, try another Italian-inspired crockpot dinner that we also adore.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken

There are some nights when even boiling water feels like too much. That’s exactly when this recipe comes to the rescue. It’s a set and forget chicken dinner that makes life easier and tastier.

And it’s not just for the cook — this one’s a crowd-pleaser. Lily loves sprinkling the cheese (she takes the job very seriously), and even picky little Emma will eat every last bite… as long as she gets to push the slow cooker button.

Here’s why this family-friendly crockpot dinner is a regular in our rotation:

• Hands-off cooking – The slow cooker does all the work
• Kid-approved flavors – Mild, cheesy, and comforting
• Flexible ingredients – Toss in veggies or leave it classic
• Great for leftovers – Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or lunchboxes
• One-pot magic – Fewer dishes, less cleanup

Dinner that cooks itself and keeps the peace? Yes, please.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This is one of those recipes where you probably already have most of what you need. And the best part? You can keep it classic or mix it up depending on what’s in your fridge.

Here’s what we use:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tsp garlic powder or 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil (optional, adds richness)

Cheese Topping:

• 1½ to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded preferred — Emma loves grating it!)
• ¼ to ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 8 oz mushrooms
• Red pepper flakes, to taste
• 2 tbsp cream cheese or ¼ cup heavy cream (for a creamy twist)
• ½ cup zucchini or spinach, chopped

Eva’s Unique Additions:

• A pinch of Tuscan Garlic Herb Blend – our house mix for everything
• A sprinkle of crushed fennel seeds – a little nod to my Italian roots

How to Make Slow Cooker Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken – Step-by-Step

This recipe is as easy as layering, setting, and waiting. The only hard part? Not lifting the lid. Trust me — every time I peeked, I regretted it.

Here’s how to make this cheesy slow cooker chicken — no fuss, all flavor:

1. Prep your slow cooker
   Lightly grease the insert with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Add the chicken
   Place 4 chicken breasts in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
3. Pour in the liquids
   Add 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup marinara sauce. If you’re using extras like onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers, toss them in now.
4. Add a Tuscan twist (optional)
   Sprinkle in your Tuscan Garlic Herb Blend and crushed fennel seeds — just a pinch of each. It gives that warm, cozy flavor I remember from Tuscany.
5. Cover and cook
   Set your slow cooker on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3½ hours.
   Don’t lift the lid! Steam is key for moist slow cooker chicken.
6. Check for doneness
   Chicken should be fork-tender and 165°F inside. At this point, I usually have to stop Emma from grabbing a taste too early.
7. Add the cheese
   Top with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan in the last 15–30 minutes of cooking. Bold Tip: Add cheese last — I learned this in Florence. It keeps it gooey, not grainy.
8. Let it rest
   Turn off the slow cooker and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
   A sweet chef in Tuscany once told me, “Let it breathe — it makes the meat even better.” He was right.

Seasonal Variations & Flavor Twists

This creamy Italian slow cooker chicken is easy to personalize, and I promise—these little tweaks make it feel brand new every time.

Fall Comfort Twist: Pumpkin Marinara

When the leaves start falling and the air smells like cinnamon and leaves, I swap regular marinara for a pumpkin marinara (yes, really). It makes the whole house smell like autumn.

• Use 1 cup pumpkin marinara instead of regular
• Add 2 tbsp cream cheese for extra richness
• Sprinkle with extra Parmesan before serving

My husband calls this the “cozy couch version.” I call it dinner during leaf-raking season.

Summer Garden Fresh

When the backyard basil is going wild and we’ve got more zucchini than we can handle, we go garden-fresh:

• Add ½ cup chopped zucchini
• Stir in fresh basil at the end
• Serve over orzo or with grilled veggies

It’s lighter, brighter, and still has that mozzarella chicken crockpot comfort.

Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips

This comfort food slow cooker recipe is incredibly flexible when it hits the plate — and even better the next day.

How We Serve It

The very first time I made this, Noah dipped his garlic bread into the cheesy sauce and looked up like he’d discovered treasure. Here are our favorite pairings:

• Over pasta – penne, spaghetti, or even egg noodles
• With garlic bread – for soaking up every last bit
• Next to a crisp green salad – a simple balsamic dressing is perfect
• On toasted rolls – make it a chicken parm sandwich night
• With roasted veggies – zucchini, broccoli, or green beans

How to Store It

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freezer: Freeze in individual portions (minus the cheese) for up to 2 months
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed

Eva’s Tip:
We always double this one for leftovers. My husband swears it tastes even better the next day, tucked into a ciabatta roll with a little extra mozzarella.

Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooker Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Recipe

For more cozy, family-loved meals like this, follow along on Pinterest.
That’s where I share all the latest slow cooker favorites, comfort food classics, and behind-the-scenes kitchen moments.

Eva

Print