Discover the ultimate convenience and comfort with this Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot, a one-pot wonder that simplifies busy evenings into a feast of incredible flavor. This recipe is the answer to those “what’s for dinner?” moments, delivering a rich, satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients for Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional, adjust to taste)
- 8 oz uncooked pasta (such as penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot
This Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot is a dream for busy evenings, requiring minimal prep for maximum reward. In about 15 minutes of active time, you’ll have a perfectly cooked, incredibly tender chicken and pasta dish bathed in a luscious, savory sauce, ready to be enjoyed by the whole family. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Crockpot: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking. This is an important step for easy cleanup later.
- Add Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs directly into the bottom of the slow cooker. Ensure they are in a single layer if possible.
- Combine Cream Soups and Broth: In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and condensed cream of mushroom soup. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Seasonings and Mayonnaise: Stir in the real mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt (if using). Ensure all the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the creamy mixture.
- Pour Over Chicken: Pour the creamy soup mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Cooking on low allows the chicken to become incredibly moist and easily shreddable.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or in a bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Pasta Separately: While the chicken is shredding, cook your pasta according to package directions in a separate pot of boiling, salted water. Drain the pasta well. Alternatively, you can add uncooked pasta directly to the crockpot during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, depending on your pasta type and crockpot’s heat, but cooking it separately ensures perfectly al dente pasta and prevents it from becoming mushy.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the drained, cooked pasta to the crockpot with the chicken and creamy sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta is well coated.
- Stir in Cheese and Serve: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta and chicken mixture. Place the lid back on the crockpot and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gloriously gooey.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Why You’ll Love This Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot
You’ll adore this Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot for its unbelievably rich and comforting flavor profile, featuring tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta enveloped in a velvety, savory sauce. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant pasta dishes, saving you money while delivering restaurant-quality taste right in your own kitchen. The simple yet decadent combination of creamy soups, chicken, and cheese, often enhanced with optional flavorful additions like sautéed mushrooms or a hint of lemon, elevates this humble crockpot meal into something truly special.
Unlike a quick stovetop pasta that can sometimes feel rushed, this slow cooker version allows flavors to deepen and meld beautifully, offering a more nuanced and satisfying taste. Imagine coming home to the warm, inviting aroma of this dish already prepared – it’s pure weeknight bliss! Give this Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot a try this week and prepare to be amazed by how easy and delicious homemade comfort food can be.
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Allow the Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This dish also freezes beautifully. For best results, store in individual portions in freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating (Refrigerator):
- Stovetop: Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Microwave: Reheat in a microwave-safe dish in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until hot.
- Reheating (Frozen):
- Thawing: The best way to thaw is overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Once thawed, reheat using the stovetop or microwave methods described above. Ensure it’s piping hot before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot is a testament to how simple ingredients and a slow cooker can come together for an unforgettable meal. Give it a try and discover your new favorite go-to recipe for effortless, delicious weeknight dinners.
Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs directly into the bottom of the slow cooker. Ensure they are in a single layer if possible.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and condensed cream of mushroom soup. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and well combined.1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup chicken broth
- Stir in the real mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt (if using). Ensure all the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the creamy mixture.1/2 cup real mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Pour the creamy soup mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or in a bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- While the chicken is shredding, cook your pasta according to package directions in a separate pot of boiling, salted water. Drain the pasta well.8 oz uncooked pasta (such as penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the drained, cooked pasta to the crockpot with the chicken and creamy sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta is well coated.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta and chicken mixture. Place the lid back on the crockpot and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gloriously gooey.1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Serve the Delicious Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness.fresh parsley, chopped