Description
A creamy, comforting chicken pasta dish made in the crockpot with minimal prep. Tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta come together in one pot, making it an effortless family dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix (or homemade mix: dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot.
- Add the Seasonings and Broth: Sprinkle Italian seasoning mix over the chicken and pour in the chicken broth. Ensure the chicken is mostly covered.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks. Return it to the crockpot.
- Add the Cream Cheese and Garlic: Cube the cream cheese and add to the crockpot along with minced garlic. Stir until the cream cheese melts and combines into a creamy sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Add uncooked pasta to the crockpot and stir to coat. Cook on low for 30-40 minutes, or until pasta is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add the Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top and stir until fully incorporated.
Notes
- Chicken Thighs: For richer flavor, substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs.
- Pasta: Penne, rotini, or short pasta works best as they hold the creamy sauce.
- Don’t Skip the Cream Cheese: It makes the sauce creamy and rich. You can add a splash of heavy cream or sour cream for an even creamier texture.
- Stir Halfway: Stir the pasta halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (1/6 of the recipe)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg