Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti: Your Ultimate Easy Weeknight Comfort Meal
There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of pasta to bring comfort and satisfaction, especially after a long day. Our Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti recipe takes this beloved comfort food to an entirely new level of ease and convenience, transforming it into a hands-off slow cooker masterpiece. Imagine tender, succulent shredded chicken, perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles, and a rich, cheesy sauce, all coming together in one pot to create a truly irresistible meal. This is the ultimate family-friendly dinner solution, designed for those busy weeknights when you crave a homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Unlike its traditional baked casserole cousin, which often requires significant oven time, this slow cooker version allows you to simply set it and forget it. The magic of the crockpot means the flavors meld beautifully over several hours, resulting in a deeper, more robust taste and incredibly tender chicken. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish that promises a delightful blend of textures and savory goodness in every single bite. From the creamy sauce to the perfectly al dente pasta, this Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is guaranteed to become a staple in your meal rotation.
Many of us are familiar with the classic Chicken Spaghetti casserole, a beloved dish often baked in the oven until golden and bubbly. While delicious, waiting for a casserole to bake can feel like an eternity, especially when hunger strikes. This is precisely where the slow cooker becomes your best friend and a true kitchen lifesaver. Our Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti eliminates the long bake time, allowing you to prepare a delicious and comforting meal with minimal active effort.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You’ll combine the sauce ingredients and chicken in your slow cooker, let it simmer to perfection for a few hours, and then, in the final stages, add the cheese to melt and the pre-cooked pasta. This method not only frees up your oven but also allows for incredible flexibility. The dish can even sit on the “warm” setting until your family is ready to eat, accommodating various schedules and ensuring a delicious, home-cooked meal is waiting whenever you are. It’s perfect for busy parents, shift workers, or anyone who wants a comforting dinner without the last-minute rush.
Essential Ingredients for Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
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- Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a lean and tender choice, perfect for shredding. If you prefer a richer flavor and even more moist chicken, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used as well.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup – This provides a rich, earthy base for the creamy sauce, adding depth and a classic comfort food flavor.
- Cream of Chicken Soup – Essential for that signature creamy consistency and savory chicken flavor. For an even more pronounced chicken taste, you can opt to use two cans of cream of chicken soup instead of a mix of mushroom and chicken.
- Rotel Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes with green chilies (often known by the brand name Rotel) lend a fantastic Tex-Mex inspired kick and a slight tang to the sauce. If Rotel isn’t available, regular diced tomatoes can be used, though you might want to add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle warmth.
- Italian Seasoning – A blend of classic Italian herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, adding aromatic complexity to the sauce.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic delivers a pungent, savory punch that is fundamental to the flavor profile.
- Onion Powder – Offers a concentrated onion flavor that disperses evenly throughout the sauce without the texture of fresh onion.
- Shredded Cheese – I personally love Colby Jack for its excellent melting properties and mild, creamy flavor. However, sharp cheddar cheese will add a bolder, tangier note, and mozzarella will provide a wonderfully stretchy, gooey texture. Feel free to use your favorite or a combination!
- Spaghetti – The classic pasta choice for this dish. Break the strands in half to make them easier to manage in the slow cooker and on your plate. Other long pasta shapes like linguine or fettuccine could also work.
- Heavy Cream – A small amount added at the end enhances the luxurious creaminess and richness of the sauce, ensuring it beautifully coats the pasta. For a slightly lighter version, chicken broth can be used to thin the sauce, cutting down on calories and fat while still achieving a good consistency.
How To Make Easy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
- Prepare the Sauce. Begin by pouring both cans of cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup into the base of your slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Stir all these ingredients together thoroughly until a smooth, well-combined sauce forms. This initial step is key to building the flavorful foundation of your spaghetti.
- Add and Cook Chicken. Season your chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper on both sides. Gently nestle the seasoned chicken breasts into the prepared sauce in the slow cooker, ensuring they are partially submerged. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and easily shreds. Cooking on low allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and absorb all the wonderful flavors of the sauce.
- Shred the Chicken & Melt Cheese. Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, mixing it well with the creamy sauce. Now, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the chicken and sauce mixture. Replace the lid and allow the cheese to melt for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s perfectly gooey and melded into the sauce.
- Cook and Combine Pasta. While the cheese is melting, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil on your stovetop. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the cooked spaghetti thoroughly and add it directly into the slow cooker with the chicken and cheesy sauce. Pour in the heavy cream (or chicken broth) and mix everything together until the spaghetti is completely coated in the rich, creamy sauce.
- Serve. At this point, your Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is ready to be enjoyed! You can serve it immediately, or if you’re not quite ready, simply set your slow cooker to its “warm” setting until dinnertime. Garnish with a sprinkle of additional shredded cheese or fresh parsley, if desired, for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.
Recipe Tips & Expert Suggestions for Perfect Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
- Cooking Pasta Separately. While some slow cooker pasta recipes exist (like my Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup), for this Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti, I strongly recommend cooking the pasta separately on the stovetop. Adding uncooked spaghetti directly to the slow cooker requires a significant amount more liquid, which can dilute the rich flavor of your sauce and result in a runnier, less desirable consistency. Cooking it separately ensures perfect al dente noodles and a thick, creamy sauce.
- Homemade Canned Soup Alternatives. Yes, this recipe calls for convenience items like canned cream soups, which are staples in many classic comfort food dishes. However, if you prefer to avoid canned ingredients or want a fresher flavor, you can absolutely make your own! Use my easy Cream of Chicken Soup recipe (or a homemade cream of mushroom soup) in place of the store-bought cans. This small change can elevate the overall quality and flavor of your dish significantly.
- Choosing Your Liquid: Heavy Cream vs. Chicken Broth. At the end, a small amount of liquid is needed to thin out the thick sauce and achieve that signature creamy texture. Heavy cream is my top choice as it imparts an unparalleled richness and luxurious mouthfeel. However, if you’re looking to reduce calories or fat, chicken broth is a fantastic substitute. It will still achieve the desired consistency without compromising too much on flavor. Use whichever you have on hand or prefer for your dietary needs – a little goes a long way.
- Tomato Varieties. This recipe specifically calls for diced tomatoes with green chilies, commonly known as Rotel tomatoes. These add a wonderful, subtle kick of heat and a bright, tangy note that complements the creamy sauce beautifully. If you can’t find them, or prefer a milder flavor, feel free to use regular diced tomatoes. For those who enjoy a bit more spice, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the regular diced tomatoes.
- Adjusting Spice Levels. The Rotel tomatoes provide a mild level of heat. If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add an extra can of Rotel or sprinkle in a dash of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce. For a milder version, drain the Rotel tomatoes thoroughly before adding them to reduce some of the chili flavor.
- Vegetable Boost. To add more nutrients and color to your Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti, consider stirring in some frozen peas, corn, or finely diced bell peppers during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Fresh spinach can also be wilted into the hot pasta and sauce right before serving.
- Storage & Reheating Instructions. Leftovers of this delicious chicken spaghetti store exceptionally well. Transfer any remaining portions to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat individual servings in the microwave until warmed through. You can also reheat larger quantities gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Freezing for Future Meals. This dish is freezer-friendly, making it ideal for meal prepping. Allow the spaghetti to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that pasta can sometimes become a little softer after freezing and thawing, but the flavor will remain excellent.
Serving Suggestions for Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
This Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is a wonderfully hearty and filling meal all on its own, but pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience. To complement the rich and creamy sauce, consider serving it with some crusty Garlic Bread or soft, fluffy Breadsticks. These are perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delicious cheesy sauce.
For a refreshing contrast and to add some greens to your plate, a crisp Tossed Salad with a light vinaigrette is an excellent choice. The fresh vegetables and tangy dressing will help balance the richness of the pasta. Alternatively, roasted vegetables like Roasted Asparagus or broccoli florets make a simple and healthy side that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken and pasta.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Dinners
If you love the convenience and flavor of slow cooker meals, be sure to explore more of our easy and satisfying crockpot recipes:
- Crockpot Chicken & Noodles
- Crockpot Country Style Ribs
- Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
- Crockpot Brisket
- Slow Cooker Taco Meat
Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
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Ingredients
- 10 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 10 oz cream of chicken soup
- 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles, (Rotel tomatoes)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
- Salt & Pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheese, Colby Jack, Cheddar, or Mozzarella
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, or chicken broth
Instructions
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In the base of your slow cooker add mushroom soup, chicken soup, tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Mix until well blended.10 oz cream of mushroom soup, 10 oz cream of chicken soup, 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 3 cloves garlic
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Season the chicken with salt and pepper and nestle chicken breasts into the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through.1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, Salt & Pepper
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When the chicken is cooked through, start bringing a large pot of water to boil to cook the pasta.1 pound spaghetti
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Remove the chicken and use forks to shred. Add the chicken back to the sauce, mixing to combine. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and place the lid back on to let it melt.2 cups shredded cheese
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After the pasta is cooked, drain and add over the melted cheese in the slow cooker. Pour in your liquid and mix until everything is well combined and creamy.1/4 cup heavy cream
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Serve immediately or set your slow cooker to warm until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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