Looking for a delicious and easy recipe to whip up for dinner? Look no further than this creamy crock pot chicken pasta! Packed with flavor, simple to make, and perfect for any occasion, this dish is sure to become a family favorite in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great flavors: The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and flavorful herbs will have your taste buds dancing with each bite.
- Quick prep time: With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work, you can have this dish cooking away in your crock pot in no time.
- Perfect for meal prep: This recipe makes a generous amount, perfect for meal prepping for the week ahead or feeding a crowd at your next gathering.
Ingredient Notes:
For the Chicken:
- Chicken breasts: Provide the protein base for the dish, seasoned with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and pepper.
For the Creamy Sauce: - Heavy cream, cream cheese, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, garlic cloves, sea salt, and pepper create a luscious and flavorful sauce.
Other Ingredients: - Italian herb sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, baby spinach, short pasta, and basil add texture and depth to the dish. Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables or pasta shapes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and pepper.
- In a crock pot, mix together the ingredients for the creamy sauce.
- Add the seasoned chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and baby spinach to the crock pot.
- Cook on low for several hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions and stir into the creamy chicken mixture.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil.
Helpful Tips:
- For a thicker sauce, add a cornstarch slurry towards the end of cooking.
- Feel free to add in extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for more color and flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and meltability.
- Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair this creamy chicken pasta with a side salad, garlic bread, and a glass of white wine for a complete and satisfying meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth to revive the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape in this recipe.
- Can I use frozen chicken breasts? Yes, just make sure they are fully thawed before adding to the crock pot.
- Can I make this recipe dairy-free? You can substitute dairy-free alternatives for the cream, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese for a dairy-free version.
Conclusion:
With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and flavorful herbs, this crock pot chicken pasta is sure to be a hit at your next meal. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out! Enjoy!
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Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 mins – 6 hours 15 mins
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this slow-cooked chicken pasta dish, packed with Italian flavors and a rich sauce that will leave you craving for more.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Season the chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare the sauce: In a slow cooker, combine heavy cream, cream cheese, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add ingredients: Place seasoned chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and pasta into the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours until chicken is cooked through and pasta is tender.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped basil before serving.
Notes
- If the sauce is too thick, add more chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
- You can add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: (e.g., 400 kcal)
- Sugar: (e.g., 5 g)
- Sodium: (e.g., 700 mg)
- Fat: (e.g., 20 g)
- Saturated Fat: (e.g., 10 g)
- Unsaturated Fat: (e.g., 8 g)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: (e.g., 35 g)
- Fiber: (e.g., 4 g)
- Protein: (e.g., 30 g)
- Cholesterol: (e.g., 100 mg)