Crockpot Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe
Family Favorite Weeknight Meal Dinner.
A hearty and delicious slow cooker meal perfect for a simple dinner, featuring tender chicken in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
I remember when I first started using my crockpot regularly; it felt like a little secret weapon in my kitchen. Life was just so hectic, and I was constantly looking for ways to bring delicious, comforting food to the table without all the fuss. This recipe, well, it came from one of those 'throw it all in and hope for the best' moments, and wow, did it deliver! The tender chicken, that creamy, garlicky sauce, and the pasta soaking up all those flavors – it just brings everyone together. It’s not about perfection, it’s about creating those warm, happy memories around the dinner table, even on the busiest days.
Why You'll Love This Crockpot Garlic Chicken Pasta
- •It’s a true 'dump and go' recipe—minimal prep for maximum flavor.
- •Comes home to a delicious, hot meal after a long day.
- •The chicken is unbelievably tender, literally fall-apart good.
- •That creamy garlic parmesan sauce is just… everything.
- •It's a hearty, satisfying meal that feeds a crowd (or gives you awesome leftovers!).
- •Perfect for meal prepping or busy weeknights when you need a little comfort.
This Crockpot Garlic Chicken Pasta is my family's new favorite! I mean, seriously, the chicken is so tender it just falls apart, and the sauce… I could eat it with a spoon! It’s become a staple in our dinner rotation. So easy, so delicious, and my kitchen smells amazing all day!
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Chicken Breasts/Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken is best here. Breasts stay lean, while thighs add a bit more richness. Either works wonderfully as they'll become super tender in the slow cooker.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This is a classic comfort ingredient for a reason! It helps create that thick, savory base for our sauce. Don't worry, it doesn't taste 'canned' once it marries with all the other flavors.
- Cream Cheese: The secret to ultimate creaminess, honestly! Make sure it's softened so it melts smoothly into the sauce. It adds a lovely tang and body.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is always best, but pre-grated works fine too. It adds that essential salty, nutty, umami flavor that makes this dish so irresistible. And don’t be shy with a little extra for garnish!
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor, but garlic powder is a good backup if you're in a pinch. This is garlic chicken pasta, so we want that robust garlic presence!
Complete Cooking Process
- Arrange chicken in the crockpot first.
- Whisk together all the sauce ingredients: cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, chicken broth, Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken, making sure it’s completely covered.
- Cover the slow cooker and let it do its magic for 3-8 hours, depending on your schedule and setting.
- Once chicken is tender, carefully remove it and shred it with two forks on a cutting board. It should be super easy!
- While shredding, boil your favorite pasta until it's al dente.
- Add the shredded chicken and cooked pasta back into the slow cooker with the sauce.
- Stir in fresh baby spinach, if you like, and let it wilt into the warm, luscious sauce.
- Give it another 10-15 minutes, covered, for the flavors to truly meld and the pasta to absorb some of that amazing sauce.
- Ladle generous portions into bowls.
- Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.
- Serve warm and watch those happy faces around the table! So good, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
→Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can! Just add about 1-2 hours extra cooking time on low, or 30-60 minutes on high. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before shredding.
→What kind of pasta works best?
Smaller pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni are perfect for soaking up the sauce. Cook it separately and add it at the end; adding uncooked pasta directly to the crockpot can make it mushy and absorb too much liquid.
→Can I make this dairy-free?
It would be quite a different recipe, but you could try using a dairy-free cream of mushroom soup, dairy-free cream cheese, and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative. The texture and flavor will definitely change, but it’s worth a try if needed!
→How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
→Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely! Sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or even frozen peas (added at the end with the pasta) would be lovely additions. Just remember to account for any extra liquid they might release.
Crockpot Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe
Easy crockpot garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe. A hearty and delicious slow cooker meal perfect for a simple dinner.
Timing
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low
Total Time
3 hours 15 minutes (on high)
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Slow Cooker
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 021 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 031 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 041/2 cup chicken broth
- 051/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 064 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 tsp garlic powder)
- 071 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 081/2 teaspoon salt
- 091/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 10Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
To Add Later
- 0112-16 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni work well)
- 022 cups fresh baby spinach (optional, for color and freshness)
- 03Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker. No need to cut them yet, we’ll do that later!
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, softened cream cheese, chicken broth, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). This is your magical sauce, hon!
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Give it a gentle stir if you like, but it’s not strictly necessary.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shredded. You’ll know it’s ready when it just falls apart with a fork. That’s the beauty of slow cooking!
About 30-45 minutes before serving, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. While the chicken is resting, cook the pasta according to package directions. You want it al dente, so it holds up well in the sauce.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the cooked pasta and the fresh baby spinach (if using). The spinach will wilt beautifully in the warm sauce.
Stir everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated with that lovely creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Let it sit, covered, for another 10-15 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce and for all the flavors to meld. Oh, it’s going to be so good!
Serve hot, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy those comforting, cozy vibes!
Notes & Tips
- 1For a richer flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- 2A sprinkle of fresh chives or green onions at the end adds a nice fresh bite.
- 3If you don't have cream of chicken soup, you can substitute cream of mushroom or even a homemade cream soup base.
- 4For a touch of smoky flavor, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the sauce.
- 5Want to make it a one-pot (almost) wonder? You can sometimes cook pasta directly in the crockpot with the sauce, but you'll need to ensure enough liquid and watch it closely to avoid mushiness. My method for cooking pasta separately generally yields better results, honestly.
Tools You'll Need
- •Always cook pasta separately and add it at the end for the best texture.
- •Shred the chicken *outside* the crockpot for easier handling, then return it.
- •Don't skip the cream cheese; it's key to that luscious, creamy texture!
- •If your sauce seems too thick at the end, stir in a little extra chicken broth or milk.
- •Taste and adjust seasoning before serving; sometimes a little extra salt or pepper makes all the difference.