Description
This Easy Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta recipe combines tender chicken breasts cooked slowly in flavorful Italian dressing and creamy cheeses with perfectly cooked penne pasta for a comforting and hassle-free meal. Ready in under 7 hours with minimal prep, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. The slow cooking melds the flavors beautifully to create a rich, creamy pasta dish that’s both satisfying and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (16 oz) bottle Italian dressing
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta (or your choice of pasta)
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place the chicken breasts evenly in the bottom of the crock pot to form a single layer.
- Add dressing and cheeses: Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken evenly. Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and add it to the crock pot along with the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily.
- Cook the pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Shred the chicken: Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken directly in the crock pot, mixing well to incorporate the cream cheese and dressing into a creamy sauce.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water into the crock pot. Stir gently until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the chicken pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired for a fresh pop of flavor and color.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute light cream cheese and use low-fat Italian dressing.
- Add vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes during the last hour of slow cooking for added flavor and nutrition.
- Using gluten-free pasta makes this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.
