If you’ve been looking for a meal that’s effortless to make but absolutely delicious, I’ve got just the thing for you — this Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of my go-to dishes when I want dinner to basically make itself while still tasting like a restaurant-quality homemade meal. You’ll find that it’s rich, comforting, and packed with flavor thanks to the creamy garlic sauce and tender chicken that just melts in your mouth. Stick around because I’m sharing everything you need to know to nail this one, even if slow cooker cooking is new to you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Just combine the ingredients and let your crock pot do the work, freeing you up for other things.
- Creamy and Comforting: The sauce is luxuriously creamy thanks to heavy cream and cream cheese — it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
- Versatile and Easy to Customize: You can swap in your favorite pasta shapes or add veggies – it’s super flexible and forgiving.
- Perfect for Busy Days: If you’re juggling work, family, or just want minimal cleanup, this recipe’s your friend.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything here works together to create that rich, creamy sauce and perfectly tender chicken you’ll find so satisfying. Plus, these ingredients are easy to find, and you probably have many of them in your pantry right now.
- Chicken breasts: I prefer fresh, not frozen, for juiciness; about 1½ pounds works best in one layer in the crock pot.
- Italian seasoning: The perfect blend to give the chicken that Italian-inspired flavor that pairs with creamy sauces.
- Garlic powder: Enhances the savory depth without overpowering the dish.
- Paprika: Adds color and a subtle smoky sweetness.
- Sea salt and pepper: To taste, essential for seasoning throughout.
- Heavy cream: Key to that irresistible creamy texture in the sauce.
- Cream cheese: Softened to blend smoothly and add richness.
- Chicken broth: Adds moisture and a subtle savory note.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for the best melt and flavor.
- Fresh parsley and basil: Brighten the dish with fresh herbal notes.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic takes the flavor up a notch.
- Sun-dried tomatoes (Italian herb variety): Drained of excess oil, these give a burst of tangy sweetness.
- Mushrooms: Sliced, they lend earthiness and texture.
- Baby spinach: Added at the end to wilt and add freshness.
- Short pasta (penne or rotini): Your choice–use what you love, cooked al dente.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it for your taste buds or dietary needs. I often swap out mushrooms for bell peppers or toss in some sun-dried tomatoes for extra zing, so don’t hesitate to make it your own!
- Add veggies: I’ve thrown in chopped zucchini or roasted red peppers before—makes it colorful and boosts nutrition.
- Dairy-free version: Use coconut cream and vegan cream cheese to keep that creamy texture without dairy.
- Spicy kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the sauce before cooking for some heat.
- Protein swap: Sometimes I use boneless skinless thighs instead of breast—they stay juicy and tender.
How to Make Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Layer Your Chicken
Start by patting your chicken breasts dry with paper towels—that helps the seasoning stick and keeps moisture balanced. Place them in the bottom of your crock pot, ideally in a single layer so they cook evenly. Sprinkle over your Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Next, add your mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes right on top, distributing them evenly. This layering creates a lovely flavor base as the chicken cooks.
Step 2: Pour Over the Creamy Sauce and Cook
Mix your heavy cream, softened cream cheese, chicken broth, parmesan, fresh parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper together until smooth. Pour this luscious sauce over your chicken and veggies, making sure to fully cover them. Then pop the lid on your crock pot, set it to LOW, and cook for 3 to 4 hours. Check in around 2 hours to monitor progress—each crock pot varies, so just keep an eye until your chicken reaches 165°F internal temp. If the sauce looks slightly curdled, no worries—that’s just the cream cheese doing its thing, just give it a good stir and it’ll smooth back out.
Step 3: Shred Chicken and Add Fresh Greens
Once your chicken is cooked through and tender, pull it out and shred or cube it however you prefer—I like shredding because it blends perfectly with the sauce. Toss the chicken back into the crock pot, then stir in fresh baby spinach and chopped basil. Let those greens wilt gently, usually just a couple of minutes is enough to brighten up the whole dish.
Step 4: Cook Pasta and Combine
While your chicken and sauce are finishing, cook your pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain it well and stir it directly into the crock pot. The pasta soaks up that creamy sauce beautifully. Serve it topped with extra fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese to impress your family or guests.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Use Fresh Chicken: I learned the hard way that using fresh, never frozen chicken keeps things juicy and tender.
- Don’t Skip the Cream Cheese: It’s the secret weapon that makes the sauce creamy and rich without separating during cooking.
- Cook Pasta Separately: Adding cooked pasta at the end keeps it from getting mushy, trust me—it’s a game changer.
- Check Cook Time and Temp: Every crock pot is different; check for 165°F internal temp so your chicken isn’t dry or undercooked.
How to Serve Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this creamy crock pot chicken pasta with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese. It adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that’s just irresistible, plus a little cracked black pepper for some contrast. Sometimes I even add a drizzle of good quality olive oil or a light squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up.
Side Dishes
For sides, I typically serve a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness, or some steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus for a simple veggie boost. Garlic bread or warm focaccia are also top choices to sop up any leftover sauce—you won’t want to leave a drop behind!
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve served this creamy chicken pasta in individual ramekins and topped each with a basil leaf and a dusting of parmesan. It’s simple but feels a little more elegant than a family-style dish. You can also layer it in a large baking dish, sprinkle some mozzarella on top, and pop it under the broiler for a few minutes to get a golden bubbly crust—turns it into an easy baked pasta casserole!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to cool it completely before sealing to keep that creamy texture from changing. When I reheat, I add a splash of chicken broth or cream to bring back that silky sauce feel.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well, but I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately from the pasta to avoid sogginess. Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I prefer warming on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, and adding a little cream or broth if it starts to dry out. Microwave works in a pinch, but stirring every 30 seconds helps keep the pasta from drying out or clumping.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken for this Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe?
While you *can* use frozen chicken, I’ve found fresh chicken gives the best texture and flavor. Frozen chicken tends to release excess water, which can thin out the sauce and affect cooking time. If using frozen chicken, add extra cooking time and check often for doneness.
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What pasta works best with this recipe?
I love penne or rotini for this dish because their shapes hold onto the creamy sauce so well. However, farfalle, rigatoni, or even shells work great. Just be sure to cook your pasta al dente separately before stirring it in to avoid mushiness.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You sure can! Swap the chicken for hearty vegetables like roasted cauliflower or chickpeas, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The creamy sauce still shines without meat, making a delicious vegetarian option.
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How do I prevent the sauce from curdling in the crock pot?
This recipe uses cream cheese and heavy cream which may look like they’re curdling as they cook, but it’s usually just the cream cheese binding. Stirring the sauce will smooth it back out. Also, cook on low heat and avoid high or long cook times to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe makes dinner stress-free and utterly delicious. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but is really simple to pull together, perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry crowd. Once you try it, I bet it’ll become a staple in your rotation just like in mine. So gather your ingredients, fire up that crock pot, and get ready to enjoy a bowl of creamy comfort you’ll feel proud to serve!
Print
Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta is an easy, comforting slow-cooker meal that combines tender, seasoned chicken with a rich and creamy sauce, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and pasta. Perfect for busy days, this recipe delivers juicy chicken infused with Italian flavors, cooked low and slow, then mixed with al dente pasta for a delightful one-pot dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ lb chicken breasts
- 2–3 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp sea salt and pepper, adjust to your preference
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Other Ingredients:
- ½ cup Italian herb sun-dried tomatoes, excess oil removed
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 3 oz baby spinach
- ¾ lb short pasta (penne or rotini preferred)
- ¼ cup chopped basil
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken and vegetables: Pat dry the chicken breasts with a paper towel and place them in a single layer at the bottom of a lightly oiled crock pot. Sprinkle the chicken evenly with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and pepper. Layer the sliced mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes over the top of the chicken.
- Add the creamy sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, chicken broth, grated parmesan, chopped parsley, minced garlic, sea salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring the chicken is fully covered.
- Cook the chicken: Cover and cook the crock pot on LOW for about 3 to 4 hours, checking at around 2 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If the sauce appears curdled, gently stir it to re-incorporate the cream cheese and restore creaminess.
- Shred and add greens: Once cooked, shred or cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces inside the crock pot. Add the baby spinach and chopped basil, stirring to combine and allowing the greens to wilt into the sauce.
- Cook the pasta and finish the dish: While the greens cook down, prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and stir the pasta into the crock pot mixture until well coated and combined.
- Serve: Garnish with additional fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- All crock pots cook differently; adjust cook time based on the size of chicken breasts and your appliance.
- For juiciest chicken, use fresh, never frozen, high-quality chicken breasts from a butcher or meat counter.
- Using full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream adds moisture and richness, helping the chicken stay tender during slow cooking.
- Ensure chicken breasts are in a single layer for even cooking and to prevent dry, overcooked spots.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
