Crock Pot Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach

Crock Pot Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta combines tender shredded chicken, penne pasta, spinach, and Parmesan cheese in a creamy tomato sauce. Everything starts in the slow cooker, making this an easy family dinner for busy nights when you need something comforting without a lot of extra work.

I have made this easy slow cooker chicken pasta dinner more times than I can count.

It is one of my go to meals for church potlucks, family gatherings, and those nights when Noah has band practice and I need dinner ready the second we walk in the door.

If your family enjoys easy pasta dinners, you might also like my Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta, Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo, or Rotisserie Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.

Looking for more easy weeknight dinner ideas? Check out my full list of quick, family-friendly dinners here.

Why I Love This Chicken Pasta Recipe

The ingredients are easy to find. Everything in this recipe is available at a regular grocery store.

The Crock Pot does most of the work. I can get the chicken and sauce started early and finish everything when it is time for dinner.

It makes enough to feed the whole family. This recipe serves eight, so there is plenty for dinner and possibly lunch the next day.

The sauce is creamy without heavy cream. Plain Greek yogurt and Parmesan give the tomato sauce a creamy texture and plenty of flavor.

It includes a little extra protein. Between the chicken, Greek yogurt, and protein pasta, this is a hearty meal that keeps everyone satisfied.

The spinach blends right in. I love that I can add a handful of greens without making a separate vegetable dish.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta

This creamy tomato chicken pasta uses familiar ingredients that cook together into a flavorful, family-friendly dinner.

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The chicken becomes tender as it cooks in the tomato sauce and is easy to shred before serving. You can substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs if that is what you have.
• Crushed tomatoes: These form the base of the creamy tomato sauce. I use regular crushed tomatoes because they give the sauce a smooth, hearty texture.
• Chicken broth: Adds extra liquid and flavor while the chicken cooks. Low-sodium broth is a good choice if you want more control over the saltiness.
• Oregano: Gives the sauce its familiar Italian-inspired flavor.
• Basil: Adds a slightly sweet, savory flavor that works well with the tomatoes.
• Thyme: Brings another layer of flavor to the sauce without overpowering the other seasonings.
• Garlic powder: Adds savory garlic flavor throughout the sauce. It is an easy pantry shortcut when I do not feel like chopping fresh garlic.
• Plain nonfat Greek yogurt: Makes the tomato sauce creamy and adds a little tang. Plain low-fat or whole-milk Greek yogurt can also work.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, savory flavor and helps give the sauce a richer texture. I also like to sprinkle extra Parmesan over each serving.
• Fresh spinach: A handful of spinach wilts into the sauce near the end of cooking. You can use more if you want additional greens.
• Barilla Protein+ penne pasta: Penne holds onto the creamy tomato sauce, and the protein pasta makes the meal even more filling. Regular penne, rotini, or rigatoni can also be used.
• Salt: Helps season the pasta water and brings out the flavors in the finished dish.

How to Make Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta

This Crockpot Italian chicken pasta starts with a simple tomato sauce that cooks with the chicken until everything is tender and flavorful. The pasta, spinach, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan are added near the end so they keep their best texture.

• Combine the sauce ingredients. In the Crock Pot, stir together the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic powder.
• Add the chicken. Place the chicken breasts into the tomato mixture, making sure the chicken is covered in the liquid.
• Cook until tender. Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken is tender.
• Shred the chicken. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker.
• Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt the water, and cook the penne according to the package directions, about 10 minutes.
• Add the yogurt, Parmesan, and spinach. While the pasta cooks, stir the plain Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach into the Crock Pot.
• Let the sauce finish. Continue cooking on low for about 10 minutes so the spinach can wilt and the sauce can come together.
• Add the pasta. Drain the cooked pasta and stir it into the creamy chicken and tomato mixture.
• Serve right away. Spoon the pasta into bowls and top with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Pro Tips for the Best Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Pasta

• Make sure the chicken is covered. The chicken should sit down in the tomato and broth mixture so it stays moist while cooking.
• Check the chicken around the 4-hour mark. Smaller chicken breasts may cook faster, while larger pieces can take closer to 6 hours.
• Do not cook the pasta in the Crock Pot. Boiling it separately helps prevent the pasta from becoming overly soft or soaking up too much sauce.
• Salt the pasta water. This adds flavor to the pasta itself before it gets mixed into the sauce.
• Add the Greek yogurt near the end. This helps keep the sauce creamy and prevents the yogurt from cooking longer than necessary.
• Stir the spinach into the warm sauce. It will wilt quickly, so there is no need to cook it separately.
• Add more broth if needed. If the sauce looks too thick after the pasta is added, stir in a small splash of chicken broth.
• Serve with extra Parmesan. A little more cheese on top makes each bowl even better.

Serving Suggestions

This chicken pasta with spinach and tomatoes is filling enough to serve on its own, but I like adding an easy side when I have time.

• Garlic bread or breadsticks
• A simple green salad
• Caesar salad
• Roasted broccoli
• Steamed green beans
• Warm dinner rolls
• Roasted zucchini

For a casual family dinner, I usually set out extra Parmesan cheese and let everyone help themselves. If I am serving a larger group, I can keep the pasta warm in the Crock Pot for a short time before dinner.

Recipe Variations

• Use chicken thighs. Boneless skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for the chicken breasts.
• Try a different pasta shape. Rotini, rigatoni, shells, or bowtie pasta will all work with the creamy tomato sauce.
• Add more spinach. If you want extra greens, stir in another handful or two before serving.
• Use regular pasta. The recipe works just as well with traditional penne instead of protein pasta.
• Make it spicy. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
• Add mushrooms. Stir sliced mushrooms into the sauce before adding the chicken.
• Use whole-milk Greek yogurt. This gives the sauce a slightly richer texture.
• Add mozzarella. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the finished pasta for an extra cheesy dinner.
• Make it saucier. Add more crushed tomatoes or a little extra chicken broth if you prefer more sauce.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover creamy Italian chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it sits, so I usually add a small splash of chicken broth or water before reheating. Warm individual portions in the microwave or gently reheat a larger amount on the stove.

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?

Yes. You can cook the chicken and tomato sauce ahead of time, then store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to finish the recipe.

When it is time to serve, warm the chicken mixture and stir in the Greek yogurt, Parmesan, and spinach. Cook the pasta separately and add it just before dinner.

This is especially helpful if you are making the recipe for a gathering or want to prepare part of the meal the day before.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to stir after adding the yogurt: Mix the sauce thoroughly so the Greek yogurt and Parmesan are evenly combined.

Adding the pasta too early: Pasta can become mushy if it sits in the Crock Pot for too long.

Using flavored Greek yogurt: Make sure your yogurt is plain and unsweetened.

Skipping the broth: The extra liquid helps the chicken cook evenly and keeps the sauce from becoming too thick.

Overcooking the chicken: Check for tenderness after 4 hours, especially if your chicken breasts are on the smaller side.

Adding too much salt at the beginning: Parmesan and chicken broth already contribute salt, so taste the finished dish before adding more.

Frequently Asked Questions

This slow cooker creamy Italian chicken pasta has truly become one of my most reliable comfort meals.

It tastes like an Olive Garden chicken pasta copycat, but it is made with simple ingredients right in your own kitchen.

I hope you try this easy crock pot chicken pasta dinner soon.

If you do, I would love for you to leave a comment and tell me how your family liked it.

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