Description
This Easy Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta is a comforting and creamy one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in zesty Italian dressing with cream cheese, Parmesan, and seasonings, then combined with perfectly cooked pasta for a flavorful, fuss-free dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (16-ounce) bottle Italian dressing (zesty or creamy style)
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare and cook chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a crock pot. Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken, then add cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred chicken and make sauce: Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the crock pot using two forks and stir to combine with the creamy sauce.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the crock pot and stir well to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Heat pasta with sauce: Cook on low for another 15–20 minutes to heat through.
- Serve: Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use cream cheese straight from the fridge for a tangier flavor.
- For extra richness, stir in a handful of shredded mozzarella before serving.
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes during the last hour of cooking for extra flavor and nutrition.
