Easy Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe
A creamy, cheesy, and flavorful Italian-inspired dish that’s incredibly easy to prepare. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or casual weekend dinners. Serve it over pasta, with garlic bread, or even as a casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet Italian seasoning mix
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (25 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound penne pasta
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to the Crock Pot: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning mix and minced garlic over the chicken, then pour in the marinara sauce. Stir everything to combine.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours) until the chicken is fully cooked and easily shreddable.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to shred it directly in the crockpot.
- Add Cream Cheese and Parmesan: Stir in the cream cheese and Parmesan until they melt into the sauce, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Cook the Pasta and Combine: Cook the penne pasta separately according to package instructions. Drain and stir it into the crockpot until well coated with the sauce.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve the Italian chicken pasta warm, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream or an extra ounce of cream cheese.
- Spice it up by adding red pepper flakes or extra garlic.
- For a thicker consistency, let the crockpot sit uncovered for 15 minutes after cooking to reduce some of the liquid.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 687mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 92mg