Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Penne recipe combines tender shredded chicken with rich, creamy sauce and perfectly cooked penne pasta for a comforting and easy meal. Using a slow cooker, this dish builds flavor with minimal hands-on time, making it ideal for busy days while delivering a hearty Italian-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic puree
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Garnish
- 10 oz penne pasta, uncooked
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ tablespoon parsley flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of the crock pot with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the crock pot. Pour heavy cream and chicken broth evenly over the chicken. Add butter, garlic puree, salt, and black pepper to the mixture.
- Cook Chicken: Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on HIGH for 2 hours to allow the chicken to cook thoroughly and the flavors to meld.
- Shred Chicken & Add Pasta: After 2 hours, carefully remove the chicken breasts and shred them using forks. Add the uncooked penne pasta and shredded Parmesan cheese directly into the cream sauce in the crock pot. Stir well to combine everything evenly.
- Cook Pasta: Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the pasta to cook in the creamy sauce and absorb good flavor.
- Combine & Finish: Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and sprinkle in parsley flakes. Stir to combine everything once again, cover, and cook for an additional 10 minutes to meld flavors before turning off the crock pot and serving.
Notes
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model.
- For a lighter option, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure to stir gently after adding pasta to prevent sticking at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- You can garnish with additional grated Parmesan or fresh parsley for extra flavor just before serving.
- Ensure the penne is fully cooked but still al dente by checking during the last 30-minute cooking stage.
