Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta

This Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta is creamy and cheesy, made with Italian dressing and cream cheese. It’s a simple weeknight dinner that ready in about 5 hours and 5 minutes.

Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
• 16 ounces bottled Italian salad dressing
• 8 ounces cream cheese (full-fat, brick style)
• 1 cup freshly grated or shredded Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
• 1 pound penne pasta
• Fresh minced parsley, for garnish

How To Make Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta

1. Add chicken and dressing to slow cooker: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crock pot. Pour Italian dressing over the chicken and top with the block of cream cheese.
2. Cook the chicken: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 ½–3 hours or LOW for 4–5 hours, until chicken is tender.
3. Shred and mix: Shred chicken in the crock pot and stir in Parmesan cheese until combined.
4. Cook the pasta: In a separate pot, boil salted water and cook penne pasta to al dente. Drain well.
5. Combine and serve: Add pasta to the crock pot, mix well, garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan, and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use a different pasta shape?
  Yes—rotini, rigatoni, or bowtie pasta work just as well as penne.
• How to prevent the pasta from getting mushy?
  Cook pasta separately and add it right before serving rather than slow cooking it with the chicken.
• Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
  Yes, boneless thighs work great and stay juicy during slow cooking.
• How to make it more flavorful?
  Use freshly grated Parmesan and a good-quality Italian dressing for the best taste.
• Can I make this ahead of time?
  Yes—store the chicken mixture separately from the pasta and combine before serving.

What To Serve With Italian Chicken Pasta

Pair this creamy pasta dish with simple sides like:

• Garlic bread or breadsticks
• Caesar salad
• Roasted vegetables (broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers)
• Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella

How To Store Italian Chicken Pasta

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freeze: Freeze the chicken mixture separately (without pasta) for up to 2 months. Cook fresh pasta when reheating for best results.

Italian Chicken Pasta Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 832
• Carbohydrates: 68g
• Protein: 51g
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Cholesterol: 146mg
• Sodium: 1316mg
• Sugar: 12g

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

FAQs

Can I use homemade Italian dressing instead of bottled?
Yes, homemade dressing works great—just make sure it’s well-seasoned and flavorful.

Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
You can add mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes in the last hour of cooking.

What can I use instead of cream cheese?
Mascarpone or ricotta can work, but cream cheese gives the best creamy texture.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes, just ensure your slow cooker is large enough to hold the extra ingredients.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken
• Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
• Crock Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken