Crock Pot Angel Chicken: Easy Recipe
Effortless Comfort Food Slow Cooker Dinners.
Tender chicken simmers in a savory, creamy sauce. An easy and delicious crock pot meal perfect for busy weeknights.
I remember the first time I heard the name 'Angel Chicken.' It sounded so delicate and lovely. I found a version of this recipe scribbled on an old index card tucked into a cookbook my mom gave me. It seemed too simple to be true. Just a few ingredients tossed into the slow cooker? But a few hours later, my whole kitchen smelled divine. The sauce was so rich and savory, and the chicken just fell apart. It’s become my little secret for days when I need a guaranteed win for dinner without any fuss. It feels like a little gift to my future self.
Why This Recipe Feels So Good
- •It’s a true 'set it and forget it' meal. Perfect for busy days.
- •The flavor is so rich and savory, it tastes like you spent hours on it.
- •Just a handful of simple ingredients you might already have.
- •The chicken becomes unbelievably tender and juicy.
- •That creamy, dreamy sauce is good on just about anything.
- •It makes the whole house smell warm and inviting.
I made this last night, and oh my goodness. My family absolutely devoured it. My husband, who is usually so quiet about food, asked if we could have it again next week. It was so incredibly easy to put together, and the flavor was just out of this world. This is definitely going into our regular rotation. Thank you!
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Dry Italian Dressing Mix: This is the secret star. It brings all the savory herbs and seasonings needed to create that complex, delicious flavor without any extra effort. Don't skip it!
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is our creamy base. It creates that wonderful, savory gravy that the chicken simmers in. You can use cream of chicken if you prefer.
- Cream Cheese: Added at the end, this is what makes the sauce so luxurious and velvety. Make sure it's softened so it melts smoothly into the sauce without lumps.
Complete Cooking Process
- Start by placing your chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. It’s a simple, clean canvas.
- In a separate bowl, just whisk the soup, dressing mix, and a little water. This quick mix is where all the flavor comes from.
- Pour this right over the chicken. No need to be perfect.
- Dot the top with butter. As it melts, it just adds another layer of richness.
- Put the lid on and walk away. That's the magic. Let it cook on low for 5-6 hours for the most tender result.
- In the last 30 minutes, stir in the softened cream cheese. This is when the sauce transforms into something truly special and creamy.
- Shred the chicken if you like, or serve the breasts whole, bathed in that gorgeous sauce.
A Few Common Questions
→Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be wonderful. They have a bit more fat, so they'll be extra juicy. The cooking time should be about the same.
→What can I serve with Angel Chicken?
It's traditionally served over angel hair pasta, which is where it gets its name. But honestly, it's amazing over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or even zucchini noodles.
→My sauce seems a little thin. How can I thicken it?
If you'd like a thicker sauce, you can make a small slurry with a tablespoon of cornstarch and two tablespoons of cold water. Whisk it into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
→Can I add vegetables to this?
Of course. Fresh mushrooms or chopped onions would be lovely added at the beginning. You could also stir in some fresh spinach at the very end until it wilts.
Crock Pot Angel Chicken: Easy Recipe
Make crock pot angel chicken for an easy and delicious meal. Tender chicken simmers in a savory sauce. Perfect for dinner!
Timing
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
4-6 hours
Total Time
4 hours 10 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Angel Chicken
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 021/4 cup butter, cut into small cubes
- 031 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 041 (0.7 ounce) packet of dry Italian salad dressing mix
- 051/4 cup water or chicken broth
- 068 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
For Serving (Optional)
- 0112 ounces angel hair pasta, cooked
- 02Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 03Steamed green beans or a simple side salad
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of your crock pot.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, the dry Italian dressing mix, and the water or chicken broth until smooth.
Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
Scatter the small cubes of butter over the top of the sauce.
Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
About 30 minutes before serving, add the softened, cubed cream cheese to the crock pot. Gently stir it into the sauce until it's melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
You can serve the chicken breasts whole, or shred them with two forks directly in the crock pot and stir into the sauce.
Serve warm over hot cooked angel hair pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like.
Notes & Tips
- 1If you're not a fan of cream of mushroom, cream of chicken or cream of celery soup works beautifully as a substitute.
- 2Feel free to use a low-sodium soup and dressing mix to control the salt level.
- 3This recipe is great for meal prep. The flavors are even better the next day.
Tools You'll Need
- •Use softened cream cheese. It makes all the difference for a smooth, lump-free sauce.
- •Resist the urge to lift the lid while it's cooking! The slow cooker needs to maintain its temperature.
- •Cooking on low for a longer period will give you the most tender, fall-apart chicken.
- •If you have a moment, shredding the chicken and letting it soak in the sauce for 15 minutes before serving really lets it absorb all that flavor.