Ultimate Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti: An Easy Family Dinner
Product links may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
There’s nothing quite like a comforting, creamy pasta dish to bring the whole family together, especially when it requires minimal effort on your part. This Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti recipe delivers on all fronts: tender chicken, a rich and savory sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and the unparalleled convenience of your slow cooker. It’s the kind of meal that makes busy weeknights feel less hectic and transforms simple ingredients into a truly satisfying feast that even the pickiest eaters will adore.
Forget standing over a hot stove after a long day. With this incredible slow cooker chicken spaghetti, you’ll enjoy a delicious, homemade meal with just a few minutes of prep time. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, infusing the chicken with flavor and creating a luscious, cheesy sauce that perfectly coats every strand of spaghetti. It’s no wonder this particular recipe has become a top favorite in countless homes, earning its spot as the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
Serve this creamy slow cooked chicken spaghetti with easy sides like warm, buttery garlic bread for dipping, or a crisp, fresh side salad to add a touch of brightness. Together, they create a complete and hearty meal that promises warmth, satisfaction, and smiles around the dinner table. Get ready to add this to your regular rotation of quick and simple family favorites!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
This slow cooker chicken spaghetti isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a lifesaver for busy households and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- Effortless Preparation: The beauty of the slow cooker lies in its simplicity. Just toss the ingredients in, set it, and forget it! Minimal chopping and stirring mean more time for you.
- Incredible Flavor: Slow cooking allows the flavors of the chicken, creamy soups, Rotel, and seasonings to meld together perfectly, creating a deeply savory and incredibly rich sauce that’s irresistible.
- Family-Friendly: This classic comfort food is universally loved. The tender chicken and creamy, cheesy pasta appeal to everyone, even those with selective palates. Say goodbye to dinner negotiations!
- Hearty & Satisfying: Packed with protein and carbohydrates, this dish is a complete meal that will keep everyone full and happy. It’s the perfect antidote to a chilly evening or a demanding day.
- Easy Cleanup: Since most of the cooking happens in one pot, cleanup is a breeze. Fewer dishes mean less time in the kitchen after dinner.
Essential Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti:
Creating this magnificent dish requires a handful of common pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the creamy, savory, and utterly delicious profile of this slow cooker chicken spaghetti.
- Creamy Soups: You’ll need one can of cream of chicken soup and one can of cream of mushroom soup. These provide the foundational creaminess and a savory depth to the sauce, ensuring a rich texture that clings beautifully to the pasta. You can opt for low-sodium versions if desired.
- Tomatoes with a Kick: Grab a can of Rotel (diced tomatoes with diced green chilies) or your preferred brand of diced tomatoes with chilies. This ingredient adds a fantastic mild heat and a hint of tanginess that balances the richness of the creamy sauce.
- A Trio of Cheeses: The cheese is crucial for that classic spaghetti comfort! You will need cubed cream cheese, which melts into an incredibly smooth and tangy base, along with shredded mozzarella cheese for gooey stretchiness and shredded cheddar cheese for sharp, familiar flavor. This combination creates a deeply cheesy and satisfying experience.
- Simple Seasoning: Keep it simple yet flavorful by using Italian seasoning. This blend typically includes basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram, providing a wonderful aromatic profile that complements the chicken and tomato notes. Feel free to add a pinch of garlic powder and onion powder for extra depth.
- Lean Protein: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star protein of this pasta dish. They cook up tender and juicy in the slow cooker, easily shredding or chopping to mix throughout the spaghetti. Chicken thighs can also be used for a slightly richer flavor and even more tender texture.
- Your Favorite Pasta: Use a box of uncooked spaghetti noodles for the traditional spaghetti experience. However, don’t hesitate to use your favorite shaped pasta, such as penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni, if you prefer a different bite.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti:
Making this creamy chicken spaghetti in your slow cooker is incredibly straightforward, involving just a few simple steps. Follow these instructions for a perfect, comforting meal every time.
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients
To begin, add the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, Rotel (diced tomatoes with chilies), cubed cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and your boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the basin of your slow cooker. Carefully stir everything together until well combined. Ensure the chicken breasts are nestled into the sauce as much as possible, so they cook evenly and absorb all those wonderful flavors.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the thickness of your chicken breasts. The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F and is easily shredded with a fork. It should be very tender and fall apart effortlessly.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken
Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, or chop it into smaller cubes if you prefer. Return the shredded or chopped chicken back into the slow cooker, stirring it into the creamy sauce to coat it thoroughly.
Step 4: Cook the Spaghetti
While the chicken is cooking, or once it’s done and you’ve returned it to the slow cooker, it’s time to prepare your spaghetti. To a medium-sized pot, fill it halfway with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add your uncooked spaghetti noodles and cook them according to the package directions, aiming for an al dente texture. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Avoid overcooking, as the pasta will soften a bit more in the slow cooker.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Cheese
Once the pasta is tender but still firm, strain it thoroughly to remove all excess water. Add the strained spaghetti directly into the slow cooker with the creamy chicken mixture. Now, add in both the shredded mozzarella cheese and the shredded cheddar cheese. This is where the magic really happens, turning the sauce into a wonderfully gooey, cheesy delight.
Step 6: Final Simmer and Serve
Stir everything together vigorously until the cheese is fully melted and the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Cover the slow cooker once more and let it cook for another 10 minutes on LOW. This allows the flavors to meld, the cheese to completely integrate, and the pasta to absorb more of that delicious sauce. Give it one final stir, then it’s ready to serve hot and enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers from This Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipe:
This slow cooker chicken spaghetti is often so delicious, you might not have many leftovers! But if you do, it stores wonderfully, making it perfect for meal prep or a quick lunch the next day.
- Fridge: Carefully scoop the remaining leftovers of the chicken spaghetti into an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Make sure it cools completely before sealing and refrigerating to maintain freshness.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat larger quantities on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much overnight.
- Freezing: While technically possible, pasta dishes with creamy sauces can sometimes alter in texture when frozen and thawed. If you choose to freeze, store in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips and Tricks for Making This Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe Your Best Yet:
Elevate your slow cooker chicken spaghetti with these helpful tips and creative add-ins to customize it to your family’s taste.
Flavorful Add-ins for This Easy Recipe:
Want to boost the nutrition or add an extra layer of flavor? Consider incorporating these ingredients:
- Spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. It will wilt down beautifully into the sauce, adding nutrients and a touch of green without altering the flavor too much.
- Frozen Peas: For a pop of color and sweetness, add a cup of frozen peas when you add the cooked spaghetti and cheese. They’ll warm through quickly in the residual heat.
- Red Pepper Flakes: If you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle in a quarter to half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning. Adjust to your desired spice level.
- Parmesan Cheese: While the recipe calls for cheddar and mozzarella, a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese either mixed in at the end or served as a garnish adds a salty, umami kick.
- Sautéed Mushrooms or Onions: For a deeper savory profile, quickly sauté some sliced mushrooms or diced onions on the stovetop and add them to the slow cooker with the other ingredients.
- Bell Peppers: Diced bell peppers (any color) can be added at the start of cooking for extra crunch and sweetness.
Adjusting Sauce Consistency:
The perfect sauce consistency is key to a great spaghetti dish. Here’s how to get it just right:
- How to thin the sauce: Once you have everything in the slow cooker and the pasta is cooking, check the sauce. If the sauce is a little too thick for your liking after everything has combined, feel free to add some chicken broth, milk, or even a little pasta water (from the cooked spaghetti) to thin it out. Add 1-2 tablespoons at a time, stirring well after each addition, until you reach your desired consistency.
- To thicken up the sauce: If your sauce turns out thinner than you prefer, you have a couple of options. You can stir in a little bit of sour cream or additional cream cheese at the end of the cooking process until you get your desired consistency. Another trick is to mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the hot sauce and cook for another 15-30 minutes until thickened.
Chicken Options for Speed and Flavor:
While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are recommended, you have flexibility here:
- Rotisserie Chicken: If you want to significantly speed up the process of this meal, you can use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Simply shred the chicken and add it to the creamy sauce during the last 30 minutes to 1 hour of cooking time, allowing it to heat through and absorb the flavors.
- Chicken Thighs: For a richer flavor and even more succulent chicken, consider using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. They tend to stay more moist during long cooking times.
Avoiding Mushy Pasta:
The key to perfect pasta in this slow cooker dish is to add it at the very end. Cooking the pasta separately ensures it’s al dente before it joins the sauce, preventing it from becoming overcooked and mushy in the slow cooker.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes:
If you love the convenience and flavor of slow cooker meals, you’re in luck! Here are some other fantastic recipes that will make your meal planning easier and your taste buds happier:
- Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: A delightful takeout favorite made healthier and easier right in your crockpot, featuring tender beef and crisp broccoli in a savory sauce.
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice with Vegetables: A wholesome and hearty meal packed with juicy chicken, earthy wild rice, and a medley of colorful vegetables, perfect for a cozy dinner.
- Slow Cooker Beef Ragu: Rich, slow-simmered beef ragu that’s perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta, creating a deeply flavorful and satisfying Italian-inspired dish.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup: A vibrant and comforting soup bursting with shredded chicken, beans, corn, and a zesty broth, topped with crispy tortilla strips and all your favorite fixings.
- Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork: Sweet and tangy pulled pork that’s incredibly tender, infused with the flavors of apple cider, making it ideal for sandwiches or tacos.
Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti
Pin Recipe
Comment
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 10 oz can Rotel , diced tomatoes and diced chilies
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 12 oz uncooked spaghetti
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Add the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, Rotel, cubed cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Carefully stir.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it to a cutting board and chop the chicken into smaller pieces. Add the chopped chicken back into the slow cooker.
- In a medium-sized pot, fill with water and cook the spaghetti according to the package directions.
- Once the pasta is tender, strain and add into the slow cooker with the sauce. Additionally add in the shredded cheese.
- Stir well and let cook covered for 10 more minutes.
- Stir again and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Quick Links for Making Dinner Easy:
Streamline your cooking and make mealtime stress-free with these helpful resources:
- Family meal plans: Discover structured meal plans designed to simplify your week and feed your family delicious, balanced meals.
- Tools for the kitchen and more: Explore a curated selection of kitchen essentials and gadgets that can make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
- The best cookbook for family dinner recipes: Find inspiration and trusted recipes in a cookbook dedicated to delicious and practical family meals.
- FREE budget meal plan: Get a complimentary meal plan tailored to help you save money without sacrificing flavor or quality.
- Cooking videos to watch: Visual learners rejoice! Watch step-by-step cooking videos to master new techniques and recipes.
If you give these recipes a try, make sure to tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how much you liked the recipes!