Craving creamy comfort food without the fuss? This CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is loaded with tender chicken, gooey cheese, and pasta. It’s family-friendly, simple to prepare, and perfect for busy nights.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is a lifesaver for busy families. With this CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with a rich, creamy dish that tastes like it took hours.
Kids love the cheesy, mild flavors, and adults appreciate the hearty protein and satisfying pasta. Since the chicken cooks low and slow, it becomes tender and juicy every time. The sauce is a blend of cream soups, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and two cheeses, giving it a comforting, restaurant-style taste without the cost.
It’s also versatile: swap spaghetti for penne or rice, add veggies, or change up the cheese. Meal prep fans will be glad it freezes beautifully for future dinners. You can even use rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep. Whether for weeknight family meals, casual get-togethers, or meal prepping, this dish checks all the boxes. It’s creamy, filling, freezer-friendly, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe, gather simple pantry staples. Start with three boneless chicken breasts, which become tender when slow cooked.
Next, you’ll need a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, juice included, for a mild kick. For creamy texture, add one can each of cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup. You’ll also need half a diced onion and two teaspoons of minced garlic for flavor depth.
Two teaspoons of Italian seasoning balance the richness with herbs. Later, you’ll stir in four ounces of cream cheese cut into cubes, plus two cups of shredded cheddar for melty goodness.
For the pasta base, cook one 16-ounce package of spaghetti separately until al dente. Substitutions are easy. Use rotisserie chicken to save time, Velveeta in place of cream cheese for extra creaminess, or swap cream of celery for mushroom soup. Pasta can be swapped too: linguine, penne, or even rice work well. This flexibility makes the recipe adaptable to whatever you have on hand.
How to Make CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti (Step-by-Step)
Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker
Layer the chicken breasts at the bottom of your CrockPot. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, both cream soups, diced onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Stir slightly so flavors mix together.
Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover with the lid and set to cook. On high, it takes 3 to 4 hours. On low, plan for 6 to 8 hours. The chicken is ready when it’s tender enough to shred easily with a fork.
Shred and Stir in Cheese
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return it to the pot, then add diced cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Let them melt on low heat for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring until smooth.
Cook the Pasta Separately
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. This step matters because adding raw pasta directly into the slow cooker can make it mushy. Draining it separately keeps the texture perfect.
Combine and Serve
Add the cooked spaghetti into the cheesy chicken mixture. Toss until everything is well coated in the creamy sauce. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if you like.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
For faster prep, use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken. Just reduce slow cooker time to heating through instead of full cooking. To shred chicken easily, place warm breasts in a bowl and use a hand mixer. Always cook the noodles separately to avoid a soggy texture. Stir in the pasta just before serving for best results.
If you like spice, add extra chiles or a dash of red pepper flakes. For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar. Freezing works best when you separate pasta and sauce, then combine after reheating. This way, the noodles won’t turn mushy. Also, remember that cream cheese blends smoother if softened slightly before adding. Keeping these tips in mind will give you the best balance of creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfect noodles every time.
Variations and Add-Ins
This CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is easy to customize. Add diced bell peppers or mushrooms for extra veggies. You can swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack if you want a different flavor kick. Velveeta is another option if you prefer ultra-creamy sauce.
Not a fan of mushroom soup? Use cream of celery instead. For the pasta base, spaghetti is classic, but penne, linguine, or elbow macaroni all work well. Some even replace noodles with rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb spin. You can also stir in fresh spinach or peas near the end for added color and nutrients. With so many options, this dish can fit different tastes or dietary needs while staying comforting and delicious.
What to Serve with CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Pair this hearty recipe with a few simple sides. Garlic bread is a natural match, perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce. A crisp green salad with light vinaigrette balances the richness. Roasted vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, or carrots add color and nutrition. Soft dinner rolls are another cozy option if you want extra bread on the table. With these sides, you’ll have a complete and satisfying meal without much extra effort.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To freeze uncooked, combine all ingredients except pasta in a freezer bag. It will keep for 3 months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and cook as directed. For cooked freezing, divide the finished dish into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, use the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between intervals until hot. If the sauce seems thick, stir in a splash of milk or broth to loosen it. Always reheat pasta and sauce together for best results, unless you froze them separately for fresher texture.
Conclusion
This CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is the ultimate comfort meal. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender chicken, it’s both satisfying and simple to prepare. It fits busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep since it’s freezer-friendly and easy to reheat. With flexible pasta swaps and add-in options, you can adapt it to your family’s taste.
Once you try it, this recipe is sure to become a regular rotation at your table. Gather your ingredients, set the slow cooker, and get ready for a warm, comforting dinner everyone will enjoy. For more slow cooker ideas, check out these slow cooker recipes. You can also see our recent recipes for fresh dinner inspiration. And if you love collecting recipe ideas, follow along on Pinteres
CrockPot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Equipment
- CrockPot For slow cooking chicken and sauce
- Large pot For boiling pasta
- Mixing spoon For stirring the sauce
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, not drained
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ diced onion
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 oz cream cheese, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 package (16 oz) spaghetti
Instructions
- Place chicken, diced tomatoes, cream soups, onion, garlic, and seasoning into a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or on low for 6–8 hours.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the slow cooker.
- Stir in cream cheese and cheddar; cook on low for 20–30 minutes until melted and smooth.
- Meanwhile, cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain well.
- Add cooked spaghetti to the slow cooker mixture, stir to combine, and serve hot.
