Looking for a comforting, easy-to-make dinner that’ll save you time and impress your family? Slow cooker chicken spaghetti is your answer. This dish combines tender chicken, flavorful seasonings, creamy sauces, and cheesy goodness—all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. It’s an ideal option for busy weeknights.
By setting up your slow cooker in the morning, you can come home to a delicious, home-cooked meal that requires minimal effort. Perfect for families or anyone looking to simplify their dinner routine without sacrificing flavor, this recipe promises to become a household favorite.
Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti
Imagine coming home after a long day to the comforting aroma of homemade chicken spaghetti, ready to eat. There are so many reasons for this to become a staple in your meal rotation.
- Effortless Cooking: One of the biggest advantages of using a slow cooker is the simplicity it brings to meal prep. Just add your ingredients in the morning, set your slow cooker, and go about your day. By dinnertime, you’ll have a delicious, fully-cooked meal waiting for you.
- Family-Friendly: Have picky eaters at home? Slow cooker chicken spaghetti is a hit with both kids and adults. The creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken make it a dish for everyone at the table. Plus, you can customize it with your family’s favorite ingredients.
- Time-Saving: Life can get hectic, and spending hours in the kitchen is not always feasible. This recipe allows you to quickly assemble the ingredients and avoid the last-minute rush to prepare dinner. The slow cooker does all the work, freeing up your time for other activities or simply to relax.
- Budget-Friendly: You get a hearty, satisfying meal without breaking the bank. Using affordable ingredients like chicken breasts, canned soups, and pasta, this dish offers a cost-effective way to feed a crowd.
Simple Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Rotel tomatoes
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Cream of chicken soup
- Cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Spaghetti pasta
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti
Add the ingredients to the slow cooker: Pour the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and Rotel tomatoes (undrained) into the slow cooker. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. Place the raw chicken breasts into the slow cooker, laying them in the sauce mixture. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
Shred and Mix: Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts and place them on a cutting board. Shred the chicken using two forks and then return it to the slow cooker. Add the shredded cheese and sour cream, stirring until they are melted and fully combined.
Cook the Pasta: While the cheese is melting, bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain.
Combine the Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti to the slow cooker, stirring until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Ready to enjoy your slow cooker chicken spaghetti? Here are some delightful serving suggestions to make your meal even more special:
- Pair with a Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette complements the creamy richness of the spaghetti perfectly.
- Garlic Bread: Serve with warm garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks for a deliciously indulgent side.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil or parsley on top of the spaghetti for a burst of color and added flavor.
Variations to Easy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
Add some variety to your slow cooker chicken spaghetti to keep things interesting.
Optional Additions
Want to take your chicken spaghetti up a notch? Here are some optional ingredients that can enhance the flavor, texture, and nutritional value:
- Bell peppers: Add color and a sweet crunch. Slice them thin and toss them in!
- Spinach: A handful of fresh spinach can add a pop of color and a boost of nutrients.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms can complement the cream of mushroom soup, adding a deeper mushroom flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese: Swap some sharp cheddar cheese for mozzarella for a gooey, stretchy cheese pull.
- Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle some parmesan before serving for an extra cheesy kick.
- Red pepper flakes: Like it spicy? A pinch of red pepper flakes will bring heat to every bite.
- Fresh basil or parsley: Chopped fresh herbs can brighten the dish and add a touch of freshness.
- Green onions: These can add a gentle onion flavor and some crunch if sprinkled on top before serving.
Feel free to mix and match these optional ingredients to suit your taste and create a version of slow cooker chicken spaghetti that’s uniquely yours.
Spicy Chicken Spaghetti
If you love a bit of heat, spicy chicken spaghetti is the way to go. Adding a kick to your dish is easy and will delight those who prefer their meals with a bit of fire.
- Jalapeños: Dice fresh jalapeños and add them to the slow cooker along with your other ingredients. Start with one or two, and adjust based on your heat tolerance.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes to the sauce mix before cooking. A teaspoon usually adds a nice warmth, but feel free to add more if you like it spicier.
- Hot Sauce: A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce can elevate the heat level. Tabasco, Sriracha, or any other hot sauce can be added right before serving to ensure an even distribution of spice.
These spicy additions will transform your slow cooker chicken spaghetti into a fiery delight, perfect for those who enjoy their meals with a bit of a kick.
Creamy Chicken Spaghetti
For those who can’t get enough of creamy, rich textures, this variation is sure to satisfy. By adding a few extra ingredients, you can make your chicken spaghetti even more indulgent.
- Cream Cheese: Add a block of cream cheese to the slow cooker at the beginning. It will melt down and make the sauce incredibly creamy.
- Heavy Cream: Pour in a cup of heavy cream during the final hour of cooking. This will add a silky texture to the sauce.
Vegetarian Option
For those who prefer a vegetarian diet, you can easily modify this recipe to fit your needs. By substituting the chicken with other protein sources, you can still enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Tofu: Firm tofu works well as a substitute. Cube the tofu and marinate it with some garlic powder, onion powder, and a bit of soy sauce for extra flavor. Add it to the slow cooker halfway through the cooking process to avoid it getting too soft.
- Mixed Vegetables: Use a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach. Adding these veggies can provide a hearty and nutritious meal. You can add them at the beginning of the cooking process, or for crisper vegetables, add them in the last hour.
Tips and Tricks for Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Cooking slow-cooker chicken spaghetti can be straightforward, but knowing a few tips and tricks can make a big difference in the outcome. Here’s how you can ensure your dish turns out perfect every time, from avoiding overcooking to storing leftovers effectively.
Avoid Overcooking
One of the most common pitfalls when using a slow cooker is overcooking the chicken or making the spaghetti too mushy. Here’s how to avoid those issues:
- Check Chicken Early: Slow cookers can vary in temperature. Start checking the chicken at the minimum suggested cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This helps prevent drying out the meat.
- Add Pasta Later: To avoid mushy spaghetti noodles, cook the pasta separately and add it to the slow cooker just before serving. This keeps it perfectly al dente.
- Heat Settings Matter: Cooking on low for a longer period is usually better for maintaining the chicken’s moisture. High settings can cook faster but might lead to dry meat if not monitored closely.
Boosting Flavor
Enhancing the flavor of your slow cooker chicken spaghetti can take it from good to great. Here are some easy ways to do it:
- Season Generously: Don’t shy away from seasonings. Use garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning liberally, and don’t forget to adjust salt and pepper to your taste.
- Sear the Chicken: Before adding to the slow cooker, sear the chicken breasts in a hot pan with a bit of oil. This locks in juices and creates a more complex flavor profile. This is a necessary step but it adds a deeper flavor.
- Extra Spices and Herbs: Adding a bay leaf, or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, can elevate your dish. Just remove the bay leaf before serving.
Storage and Reheating
Properly storing and reheating your slow cooker chicken spaghetti ensures that leftovers remain tasty and safe to eat. Here’s what you need to know:
- Cool Properly: Let the dish cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation and helps maintain the integrity of the pasta.
- Airtight Containers: Place leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh. This also prevents the dish from absorbing other fridge odors.
- Freezing: If you plan to freeze leftover chicken spaghetti, consider freezing the sauce and chicken separately from the pasta. This helps keep the pasta from becoming too soft when thawed and reheated.
- Reheating: When reheating, sprinkle a little water over the pasta to keep it from drying out. You can reheat it in a microwave or on the stovetop. If microwaving, use a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap to retain moisture.
FAQs
- When making slow cooker chicken spaghetti, you may have some questions. Here are some of the most common queries and their answers to help you perfect your dish.
Can I use frozen chicken?
- Yes, you can use frozen chicken in your slow cooker chicken spaghetti. If you start with frozen chicken, you’ll need to extend the cooking time by about 1 to 2 hours.
- You can add the frozen chicken breasts directly to the slow cooker, but it might be challenging to season them evenly. Consider thawing the chicken slightly in the microwave if you prefer to season them directly.
What type of spaghetti should I use?
- Traditional white spaghetti works well and is readily available. It tends to absorb the flavors of the sauce beautifully.
- If you’re looking for a healthier option, whole wheat spaghetti adds more fiber and nutrients. It has a slightly nuttier taste and a firmer texture, which some people prefer.
- For those with gluten sensitivities, gluten-free spaghetti made from rice, corn, or quinoa is a great alternative. Just be mindful that gluten-free pasta may cook a bit faster, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
- Protein-enhanced pasta, often made from lentils or chickpeas, adds extra protein to your dish and can make it more filling.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
- Yes, you can prepare your slow cooker chicken spaghetti ahead of time. You can fully assemble the ingredients in your slow cooker the night before. Store the slow cooker insert in the refrigerator. In the morning, place the insert back in the slow cooker base and start cooking.
- Another option is you can also cook the entire dish in advance. Once it’s fully cooked, let it cool, then store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 3 days.
- If you plan to reheat the dish, slightly undercook the pasta initially. This prevents it from becoming too soft when reheated.
If you enjoy this recipe, check out a few more of my favorites:
Ingredients
- 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes undrained
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup sour cream
- 16 ounces spaghetti pasta cooked & drained
Instructions
- Pour the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and Rotel tomatoes in the crockpot then season with onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper. Stir until well combined then add the chicken breasts to the crockpot, cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or 4-6 hours on low.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove the chicken and cut it into bite sized pieces. Add the shredded cheese, sour cream and cut up chicken to the crockpot then stir to combine.
- Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the pasta per the package instructions until al dente then drain it and add the pasta to the crockpot. Stir until well combined. Serve & enjoy!
I’m trying it today, I’ll let you know how the family likes it!