Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is the perfect dish when you want an easy meal that still tastes amazing. A perfectly seasoned creamy, cheesy sauce coats long spaghetti noodles with tender chicken, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and spinach all thrown in to give this easy crock pot recipe unbelievable flavor.
I think we can all agree the crockpot is one of the best inventions ever, right? What other device allows you to dump a bunch of ingredients in at the start of an afternoon and have dinner on the table with almost no extra work 6 hours later? Ingenious.
I'm no stranger to delicious crockpot meals (hello Cheesy Chicken Broccoli And Rice Casserole, Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, and, my favorite, Chicken Mole Tacos!), and this creamy crockpot chicken spaghetti is one of my favorite go-to recipes for busy weeknights. It's a comforting meal - cheesy, and loaded with flavor-a true family favorite that even the very picky eater in your home will love (do any of you have one of those too??).
The best part? It requires minimal effort, thanks to the slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting. This easy recipe is simple to throw together and will give you a delicious slow cooker meal in just a few hours. Super simple ingredients like cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and good old spaghetti noodles, this recipe is perfect for anyone craving a hearty slow cooker pasta recipe. (Want more easy, creamy pasta ideas? Try my Creamy White Bean Pasta, this Creamy Boursin Cheese Pasta Recipe, or get my guide to making the BEST Mac and Cheese Bar ever!)
In This Post
Key Ingredients
Most recipes I see for chicken spaghetti call for using Velveeta and Rotel, giving the spaghetti a very Mexican sort of feel. I've opted for a more traditional Italian taste with this recipe and instead use Italian seasoning, real cheddar cheese (I don't like the processed stuff), and roasted red peppers.
Overall, the ingredients here are pretty simple. Here are some of the main standouts you'll need.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Tender chicken is the heart of this dish. Use about 1.25 pounds of raw chicken breasts.
- Cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup. These pantry ingredients create the creamy base of the sauce.
- Diced tomatoes. Add a hint of tanginess and depth to the dish.
- Roasted red peppers. These provide a sweet, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
- Cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Melty, gooey cheddar is essential for this cheesy chicken spaghetti recipe. and the cream cheese makes the sauce extra creamy and luxurious.
- Spaghetti noodles. Cooked al dente, these noodles soak up that flavorful sauce.
- Italian seasoning. Adds a burst of herby flavor to complement the dish.
- Baby spinach. I always try to sneak in a few extra veggies. Spinach works great here for a touch of freshness and color.
How To Make Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
- Prepare the Base. Add raw chicken, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, garlic, diced onion, roasted red peppers, diced tomatoes (or a can of Rotel), and Italian seasoning to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
- Cook the Chicken. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6 hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Shred the cooked chicken and return it to the crock pot.
- Melt the Cheese. Add cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and let the mixture melt while you prepare the spaghetti noodles. The cheese only takes about 10-15 minutes to start melting into the sauce and can then be incorporated with a good stir.
- Combine. Once the noodles are cooked, drain them and add them to the crockpot. Stir everything together, including a handful of baby spinach. The heat from the spaghetti and sauce will wilt the spinach beautifully.
- Serve. Dish up your slow cooker creamy chicken spaghetti and garnish with crushed red pepper flakes or Parmesan cheese for added flavor. Pair with a fresh green salad or garlic bread for the ultimate comfort meal.
Variations And Substitutions
- Add bacon: For a smoky twist, mix in crispy bacon crumbles or try a bacon ranch variation by subbing the Italian seasoning with some ranch seasoning.
- Use sour cream. Replace cream cheese with sour cream for a tangier flavor.
- Swap the pasta. Use penne, rotini, or any cooked pasta you have on hand.
- Add more veggies. Bell peppers, mushrooms, or even zucchini make great additions for extra nutrients.
- Use cooked chicken. If you have leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, reduce the cooking time to about 2 hours and add the during the last hour of cooking to save time.
- Make it spicy. Add green chilies or sprinkle in cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. You can also substitute the plain diced tomatoes for a can of Rotel tomatoes to make this an easy flavor swap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This is a great recipe for meal prep. Place leftovers in an airtight container or freezer-safe container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Yes, ground beef works well if you're looking for a variation of this recipe. Simply brown the beef (and drain it!) before adding it to the slow cooker.
Reheat in a microwave-safe dish or bake for about 30-40 minutes, covered, in a 380-degree oven. You may wish to stir in a bit of chicken broth before reheating to break up the sauce and noodles a bit.
For an Instant Pot version, cook the chicken and sauce on high pressure for 10 minutes, then shred the chicken, stir in the cheese, and mix with cooked pasta and spinach.
This dish is great with garlic bread (or try roasting fresh garlic and spreading it on a baguette - delicious!), a fresh green salad, or roasted vegetables (this easy Instant Pot Brocolli is a favorite! for a complete meal.
This easy crock pot chicken spaghetti recipe is the perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and hearty. With just a few minutes of prep time, you can enjoy one of the most popular recipes for busy days. Give it a try, and it might just become your new family favorite!
If you do try this Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, let me know what you think in the comments below. And please tag me with a pic on IG @frontrangefed so I can see your masterpiece!
Recipe
Easy, Creamy And Cheesy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 chicken breasts)
- 10.5 oz can of cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom soup
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 cup roasted red peppers chopped
- 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ⅔ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 16 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 handful baby spinach leaves
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot. Place the chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, garlic, onion, roasted red peppers, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning in the crock pot. Stir to combine.
- Cook the Chicken. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. Shred the chicken using two forks and return it to the crock pot.
- Melt the Cheese. Add the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese to the crock pot. Cover and let it cook for about 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt while you prepare the spaghetti.
- Cook the Spaghetti. Boil the spaghetti noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine and Finish. Add the cooked spaghetti to the crock pot and toss everything together until well combined. Add the baby spinach and gently mix, allowing it to wilt slightly.
- Serve. Dish up the chicken spaghetti and garnish with crushed red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Much of the cooking time is to ensure the flavors meld together and the chicken cooks through. If using leftover cooked chicken, or Rotisserie chicken for this recipe, don't add it in at the start or else it will become dry and overcooked. Lower your total cooking time to about 2 hours on high or 3 hours on low heat, and add the cooked chicken to the pot in the last hour.
- Be sure not to add the cooked spaghetti to the pot until stated in the recipe. Adding it at the beginning or even the middle of the cooking time will make the spaghetti mushy. Wait until the end, cook it separately, then stir into the sauce.
- When reheating, you may wish to add a little chicken broth, water or milk to help break up the sauce and noodles.
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Sarah says
We love the creaminess of this pasta dish and the crockpot makes it super easy and mostly hands off.