Description
Creamy Italian chicken pasta brings comfort and zest to weeknight dinners, delivering a hearty meal that satisfies with minimal effort. Home cooks can savor rich flavors and tender chicken without spending hours in the kitchen, making this dish a perfect solution for busy families.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Sauces and Dairy:
- 1 (24 oz / 680 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (10 oz / 283 grams) can diced tomatoes with basil and garlic
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 (8 oz / 227 grams) package cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz (340 grams) penne or rotini pasta, cooked
Instructions
- Nestle whole chicken breasts into the slow cooker and generously coat with aromatic Italian-inspired seasonings.
- Cascade marinara sauce, juicy diced tomatoes, and rich chicken broth over the seasoned chicken, gently blending the liquid ingredients.
- Secure the lid and allow the chicken to tenderize on low temperature for 6–7 hours or accelerate the process on high for 3–4 hours until meat easily pulls apart.
- Utilize two forks to meticulously shred the chicken directly within the cooking vessel, creating tender, succulent meat strands.
- Incorporate cream cheese, luxurious heavy cream, melty mozzarella, and aged Parmesan, stirring to create a velvety, indulgent sauce.
- Allow the cheese mixture to meld and transform, covering the slow cooker for an additional 10–15 minutes until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Introduce pre-cooked pasta into the sauce, gently folding to ensure each pasta strand is lavishly coated with the rich, cheesy mixture.
- Elevate the dish’s presentation by scattering freshly torn basil leaves across the top, then serve piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender and easy-to-shred meat in this comforting dish.
- Swap regular marinara with low-sodium sauce to control salt content for health-conscious diners.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe completely gluten-free without compromising flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like provolone or fontina for a unique taste profile that keeps the meal exciting.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 705
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg