Description
This Crockpot Chicken Alfredo is a creamy, comforting one-pot meal made with tender chicken breasts, rich heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese served over perfectly cooked pasta. Slow-cooked to meld flavors beautifully, it’s an easy and delicious dinner option ideal for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 3 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Sauce and Pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 8 ounces pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 1½ cups Parmesan cheese (grated)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Lay the chicken breasts in the crockpot and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Scatter the minced garlic evenly over the top.
- Add Liquids: Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream gently over the chicken breasts, ensuring the chicken is partially submerged.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 2½ hours until chicken is tender.
- Add Pasta: Stir in the uncooked pasta, making sure it is submerged in the liquid for even cooking.
- Cook Pasta: Continue cooking on low for 1 hour or high for about 30 minutes, checking the pasta tenderness at 30 minutes.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the crockpot, shred it with forks, and return it to the crockpot.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese thoroughly to create a creamy sauce.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish sit for a few minutes to thicken and allow flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for freshness and color before serving.
Notes
- Chicken Selection: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are ideal, but chicken thighs can be used as a substitute for more flavor.
- Pasta Tips: Add pasta in the last hour of cooking to avoid overcooking; small-shaped pasta like penne or rotini works best.
- Dairy Substitutes: Heavy cream can be replaced with half-and-half or milk combined with butter, though this will make the sauce less rich and creamy.
- Seasoning Adjustments: Adjust garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning amounts to your taste preference for a personalized flavor.
- Storing and Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
