Crockpot Zesty Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Crockpot Zesty Italian Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender shredded chicken slow-cooked in zesty Italian dressing and cream of chicken soup, combined with cream cheese for a rich sauce that coats perfectly cooked bow tie pasta. It’s an easy, hands-off slow cooker meal perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 6 hours (depending on slow cooker setting)
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 pounds (about 3) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1 envelope (0.6 oz.) Zesty Italian dressing mix
- 2 cans (10.5 oz. each) condensed cream of chicken soup
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- 4 oz (half a block) cream cheese, room temperature
Pasta
- 1 box (16 oz.) cooked pasta (bow tie pasta recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker liner and poke each breast 3 to 4 times with a fork to allow the flavors to penetrate better.
- Add seasoning and liquids: Sprinkle the Zesty Italian dressing mix evenly over the chicken breasts. Pour in the condensed cream of chicken soup and chicken broth.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook for 3 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Prepare cream cheese and pasta: About 30 minutes before the chicken finishes cooking, set the cream cheese out to come to room temperature for easier melting. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions and set aside.
- Shred the chicken: When the chicken is fully cooked, shred it with two forks directly in the slow cooker.
- Melt the cream cheese: Add the room temperature cream cheese to the slow cooker, stir gently, then cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker, stirring well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy chicken sauce.
- Serve: Serve the Zesty Italian Chicken Pasta immediately for best flavor and enjoy!
Notes
- Bringing the cream cheese to room temperature before adding helps it melt more smoothly and evenly throughout the sauce.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Bow tie pasta is recommended for its shape, but any favorite pasta can be used.
- This recipe can be prepared on low for a longer cooking time or high for a shorter time based on your schedule.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, Italian chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, Zesty Italian dressing recipe, crockpot chicken, easy slow cooker dinner
