Easy Keto Crockpot Chicken Parmesan (Low-Carb & Comforting!)
Enjoy a classic Italian-American favorite with minimal effort! This Easy Keto Crockpot Chicken Parmesan features tender, “breaded” chicken breasts smothered in a rich marinara and melted mozzarella, all cooked conveniently in your slow cooker. It’s a comforting, low-carb, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 5 hours (on low) + 15 minutes (cheese melt)
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1.5 pounds total)
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (plain)
- 1 cup crushed pork rinds (finely crushed for best “breading” texture)
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce, divided (choose a low-carb, no-sugar-added brand)
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Equipment:
- Shallow bowl (for egg mixture)
- Second shallow bowl (for pork rind mixture)
- Whisk
- Large crockpot (slow cooker, 6-quart or larger recommended)
- Cooking thermometer
Instructions:
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of each chicken breast generously with salt and black pepper.
- Prepare Breading Station:
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and unsweetened almond milk.
- In a second shallow bowl, combine the finely crushed pork rinds and Parmesan cheese. Stir well to mix.
- Bread Chicken: Dip each seasoned chicken breast into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are coated. Then, transfer to the pork rind mixture, pressing gently to coat both sides thoroughly. Shake off any excess.
- Layer in Crockpot: Spread ½ cup of the marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the coated chicken breasts in a single layer over the sauce.
- Add Cheese & Sauce: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken. Then, pour the remaining 3 ½ cups of marinara sauce over the top of the chicken and cheese.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 5 hours.
- To ensure the chicken is cooked through, insert a cooking thermometer into the thickest portion of a chicken breast. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Final Cheese Melt: Once the chicken is fully cooked, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over everything in the crockpot. Cover again, and continue cooking for about 15 minutes longer, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Serve & Enjoy! Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot. Serve hot, spooning extra sauce and melted cheese from the crockpot over each serving.
Tips for Success:
- Pork Rind Texture: For the best “breading,” ensure pork rinds are crushed very finely (you can use a food processor or a rolling pin and a ziploc bag).
- Marinara Sauce: Choose a high-quality marinara or spaghetti sauce with no added sugar or high-carb thickeners. Reading labels is crucial for keto compliance.
- Chicken Doneness: Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure chicken is cooked perfectly without overcooking and drying out.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish is a complete meal on its own, but can be served with a side of zoodles (zucchini noodles), palmini noodles, or a simple green salad.
- Make-Ahead: This recipe is excellent for meal prep. The “breaded” chicken can be prepped the night before and refrigerated until ready to cook.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
This Easy Keto Crockpot Chicken Parmesan recipe is a fantastic, comforting!
- High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein due to the chicken, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb. Pork rinds replace traditional breadcrumbs, and all other ingredients are naturally low in carbohydrates.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
- Marinara/Spaghetti Sauce: This is the most crucial ingredient to verify for keto compliance. Many commercial sauces contain added sugars and thickeners. Emphasize finding sugar-free, low-carb options.
- Pork Rinds: Ensure they are plain (no sugary seasonings).
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
