Description
This Crockpot Chicken Alfredo recipe offers a creamy, comforting meal with tender shredded chicken and perfectly cooked penne pasta in a rich homemade Alfredo sauce. It’s an easy, hands-off crockpot dish ideal for busy weeknights and simple cleanups, delivering classic Italian flavors in a slow-cooked, hassle-free way.
Ingredients
Protein and Dairy
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Liquids and Seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta, uncooked
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the chicken breast, cream cheese, cubed unsalted butter, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream into the slow cooker. Ensure ingredients are well distributed.
- Cook Chicken: Set the slow cooker on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender enough to shred.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breast from the crockpot and shred it finely using two forks or your preferred method. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- Add Pasta and Cheese: Add the uncooked penne pasta and parmesan cheese to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine the pasta with the creamy sauce and chicken.
- Cook Pasta: Cook on high for about 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and fully cooked through absorbing the Alfredo sauce flavors.
- Serve: Once pasta is cooked, top with freshly grated parmesan and chopped greens if desired. Serve immediately for a warm, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, after cooking since flavors concentrate during slow cooking.
- For a thicker sauce, you can stir in a little more cream cheese before adding the pasta.
- If the sauce is too thick after cooking, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
