Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta (Easy Crock Pot Dinner Recipe)
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This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta is the kind of rich, comforting dinner that makes everyone at the table go quiet for the first few bites. Tender chicken, rigatoni, and a creamy sauce come together in the crock pot for the easiest weeknight comfort food. If you love easy crock pot chicken pasta recipes that feel homemade and hearty, this one is going to become a favorite.
I have made this slow cooker creamy chicken pasta more times than I can count.
It is one of my go to meals for busy school nights, church potlucks, and even when we have company coming over but I do not want to be stuck in the kitchen.
It reminds me a little of my creamy canned chicken casserole and even my cheesy Angel Chicken and rice.
If you love comfort food that cooks low and slow while you get other things done, you are going to love this slow cooker chicken rigatoni.
Table of contents
Why I Love This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta
I love this crock pot chicken pasta recipe because it checks every box for me.
- It is easy and mostly hands off.
- It uses simple pantry ingredients.
- It feeds a crowd.
- It reheats beautifully.
- It feels like a cozy Italian inspired dinner without the work.
One of my favorite things is that I can put everything in the slow cooker early in the day and just boil the pasta before dinner.
That little trick makes it feel effortless in my kitchen.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in building its rich flavor and creamy texture.
- Chicken Breasts: The star of the dish, providing a juicy, tender base. You can substitute chicken thighs if you’d prefer.
- Italian Seasoning, Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder: These spices add layers of flavor and a hint of spice.
- Lipton Onion Soup Mix: Adds a depth of savory flavor that’s hard to beat. Plus, the convenience is a big win when you’re cooking in a Crock Pot.
- Cream of Chicken Soup and Heavy Cream: The base of our creamy sauce.
- Cream Cheese: For extra richness and a smooth texture.
- Chicken Broth: Helps to cook the pasta and meld all the flavors together.
- Rigatoni Pasta: Holds the creamy sauce perfectly.
- Parmesan and Smoked Gouda Cheese: These cheeses bring a wonderful, melty finish to the dish. You can substitute mozzarella cheese for a different flavor.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Rigatoni
Making this recipe is as easy as 1-2-3.
With the Crock Pot doing most of the work, the steps are straightforward.
- Prepare the Ingredients: Add the chicken, seasonings, soups, cream, cream cheese, and chicken broth to a 6-quart Crock Pot.
- Cook the Chicken: Set the Crock Pot to LOW and cook for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred and Combine: Shred the chicken, then mix in the dry rigatoni pasta and half of the cheeses.
- Final Touch: Top with remaining shredded cheese and cook on HIGH for another 45 minutes until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melty.
Pro Tips for the Best Crock Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
Cube the cream cheese before adding it so it melts evenly.
Stir the sauce well after shredding the chicken to ensure it is smooth.
Do not overcook the pasta. Slightly firm pasta works best.
If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of warm chicken broth before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker creamy chicken pasta is filling on its own, but I love serving it with:
- Garlic bread
- A simple green salad with Italian dressing
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted green beans
It is also perfect for meal prep. I store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat with a small splash of milk to keep it creamy.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is highly versatile!
Here are some variations to try:
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute the chicken with your favorite vegetables, like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach, and use vegetable broth.
- Spicy Twist: Add some red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a bit of heat.
- Different Pasta: Swap rigatoni for penne or rotini if you prefer another type of pasta.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Penne, fusilli, or even shells can be great substitutes for rigatoni. Just keep an eye on cooking times as some pastas may cook faster.
If you don’t have cream cheese on hand, you can use full-fat Greek yogurt or even mascarpone for a similar creamy texture.
Yes, you can. If you’re in a hurry, cooking the chicken on HIGH for about 2 hours should work, but always ensure your chicken is fully cooked and tender before proceeding.
To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the cream with coconut milk and use a dairy-free cream cheese. You can also use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for that cheesy flavor.
Yes. Prepare the chicken and sauce ahead, then cook and stir in the pasta just before serving.
You can freeze the chicken and sauce mixture. I do not recommend freezing it with the pasta already mixed in.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened and stir thoroughly after shredding the chicken.
Yes. You can pressure cook the chicken mixture, shred the chicken, then stir in cooked pasta.
If you are looking for a comforting slow cooker creamy chicken pasta that is easy, family friendly, and perfect for busy nights, this one is truly a winner.
I have made this crock pot chicken pasta recipe so many times, and it never disappoints.
I hope you try it in your kitchen and come back to leave a comment and tell me how your family liked it.
Crock Pot Chicken Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 pkt Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 16 oz rigatoni pasta
- 8 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
- 7 oz smoked gouda cheese, shredded
Directions
- In a 6-quart Crock Pot, add chicken, Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, onion soup mix, cream of chicken soup, heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, and chicken broth.
- Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender. Shred the chicken with two forks.
- Add the dry rigatoni pasta, Parmesan cheese and half of the gouda cheese. Stir well. Top with the remaining shredded gouda cheese.
- Cover and cook another 45 minutes on HIGH until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts
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