Crock Pot Chicken Penne Pasta

This Crock Pot Chicken Penne Pasta is a creamy and comforting recipe, which includes marinara sauce and heavy cream. It’s a straightforward recipe, ready in about 5 hours and 10 minutes.

Crock Pot Chicken Penne Pasta Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 24.5 ounces marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
• 24.5 ounces water
• 16 ounces uncooked penne pasta (or other short pasta)
• 1 cup heavy cream

How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Penne Pasta

1. Season and add chicken: Season chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Place them in an even layer in the bottom of a 6 or 7 quart slow cooker.
2. Add marinara and water: Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken. Fill the empty marinara jar with water, shake it, and pour into the slow cooker.
3. Cook the chicken: Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
4. Shred or cube chicken: Remove the chicken and shred or cut into bite-sized cubes.
5. Add pasta and cream: Return chicken to the slow cooker along with the pasta and heavy cream. Press pasta down to submerge in the liquid.
6. Cook pasta: Cover, set to LOW, and cook for an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
7. Serve: Serve hot with a green salad and garlic bread.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use rotini or rigatoni instead of penne? Yes, any short pasta will work well in this dish.
• How to keep pasta from overcooking: Check at the 45-minute mark and stir occasionally to avoid mushy pasta.
• Can I make it spicier? Add extra red pepper flakes or use a spicy marinara sauce.
• Is it okay to use jarred marinara? Absolutely, just use a high-quality brand or your favorite homemade recipe.
• Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream? Yes, but it will be less creamy—still delicious though!

What To Serve With Chicken Penne Pasta

Pair this dish with easy, flavorful sides:

• Garlic bread or cheese breadsticks
• Caesar or mixed green salad
• Roasted broccoli or green beans
• A glass of red wine or iced tea

How To Store Chicken Penne Pasta

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Not recommended, as cream-based pasta dishes can separate when reheated.

Chicken Penne Pasta Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 400kcal
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 21g
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sodium: 495mg
• Potassium: 634mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g
• Calcium: 55mg
• Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Yes, stir in spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers with the pasta.

Why is my pasta undercooked?
Cooking times vary—make sure it’s fully submerged and allow up to an hour on LOW.

How do I make this dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free cream alternative or skip the cream and use more marinara.

Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes, prep everything up to the pasta step. Add pasta and cream when you’re ready to cook the second phase.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but make sure your slow cooker is large enough to handle the extra volume.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Chicken Tetrazzini
• Crock Pot Chicken Fajita Soup
• Crock Pot Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup