Crock Pot Chicken Riggies

This Crock Pot Chicken Riggies is creamy and hearty, made with chicken breast, roasted peppers, and rigatoni pasta. It’s an easy slow cooker dinner that’s perfect for family meals or casual entertaining, ready in about 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Crock Pot Chicken Riggies Ingredients

• 1 (16-ounce) package rigatoni pasta
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 sweet pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3 roasted peppers, drained and chopped
• 2 cans chopped tomatoes with Italian seasoning
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 block cream cheese
• Parmesan cheese, for topping
• Crushed red pepper, for topping (optional for spice)

How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Riggies

1. Cook the pasta separately: Prepare rigatoni according to package directions. Drain and set aside to avoid sogginess in the crock pot.
2. Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Add chicken, onion, sweet pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, paprika, roasted peppers, tomatoes, marinara sauce, and cream cheese to the crock pot. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Slow cook the chicken: Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
4. Shred and mix: Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the slow cooker. Stir sauce to combine; add extra marinara if desired.
5. Toss with pasta and serve: Mix chicken sauce with cooked rigatoni. Top with Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Can I make this spicier?
  Add crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce.
• Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
  Yes, thighs will be more tender and flavorful in the slow cooker.
• How to keep pasta from getting mushy:
  Always cook pasta separately and combine with sauce just before serving.
• Can I make this ahead of time?
  Yes, store sauce separately and toss with pasta when reheating.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Chicken Riggies

This creamy pasta dish pairs perfectly with:

• Garlic bread or Italian rolls
• A fresh green salad
• Roasted broccoli or zucchini
• A glass of red wine, like Chianti or Merlot

How To Store Chicken Riggies

Refrigerate: Store pasta and sauce in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze the sauce (without pasta) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and toss with freshly cooked rigatoni.

Chicken Riggies Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~550 per serving
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Sodium: 780mg

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

FAQs

Can I add vegetables to the sauce?
Yes, mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach can be added for extra nutrition.

What if I don’t have roasted peppers?
Use fresh bell peppers and sauté or roast them briefly before adding.

Can I cook the pasta directly in the crock pot?
Not recommended, as it will become too soft—cook separately for best results.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Chicken Nuggets
• Crock Pot Whole Chicken With Stuffing
• Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken Orzo