Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

This crock pot chicken alfredo recipe is perfect! Tender shredded chicken and perfectly cooked al dente pasta are coated in a decadent creamy and cheesy alfredo sauce. It's the most comforting and delicious pasta dinner you can make, and it's effortless, thanks to the crock pot!

I love ordering chicken alfredo out at restaurants, and this crock pot version is the closest thing I've ever made to a restaurant's dish. It's by far the easiest to make too. Typically a homemade alfredo recipe can have some extensive steps, but this one is really basic and foolproof!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Simple to prepare. Besides putting the ingredients in the crock pot and shredding the chicken, this recipe is all hands-off cooking. You'll only be doing about 5 minutes of work, if that!

The flavor. The alfredo sauce and chicken cook together for hours, giving the flavors of the sauce time to infuse into the tender shredded chicken. The penne pasta is added at the end of cooking, and it soaks up all that incredible sauce while maintaining a firm al dente texture. 

Instant favorite. Everyone who tries this creamy chicken alfredo is an instant fan. It's great for family dinners, potlucks, and entertaining guests since it's a hit with both kids and adults.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Chicken breasts- I used boneless skinless chicken breasts work best.
• Cream cheese- adds the perfect creaminess to the sauce.
• Butter- preferably unsalted butter.
• Garlic powder- for a little savoriness.
• Salt and pepper- for flavor.
• Heavy cream- to add richness to the sauce.
• Chicken stock- to keep the chicken juicy.
• Parmesan cheese- for that classic cheesy flavor.
• Penne pasta- you can also use fettuccine, rigatoni, or fusilli.
• Fresh basil and extra parmesan- for garnish.

How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo

1. Cook the chicken and sauce: Before getting started, preheat your crock pot on the high setting for 1 hour. Once heated, add in the chicken breasts, cream cheese, butter, garlic powder, heavy cream, and chicken stock. Cover the crock pot with the lid and let it cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours.

2. Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the crock pot and shred them well with two forks.

3. Cook the pasta: Place the shredded chicken back into the crock pot, along with the pasta of your choice and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Continue to cook on high for 35-40 minutes or until the pasta reaches your desired doneness.

4. Serve: Portion out the dish on plates and garnish it with some extra parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Garnish the chicken alfredo with chopped bacon for some added flavor.
• Mix broccoli with the pasta to make this a healthier meal.
• If you want to use leftover precooked pasta, add it to the crock pot with everything for about 5 minutes so it can warm up without overcooking.
• Don't add additional salt if you're using salted butter. The cream cheese and butter will already provide the perfect amount of saltiness. 
• Add more cream cheese to the sauce for a thicker, creamier consistency. Add more heavy cream and broth if you want it to be thinner.

How To Store and Reheat Leftovers

In the fridge: Let any leftovers cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for about 4 days.

In the freezer: To keep for longer, store the leftovers in a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer-safe bag and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheating: I like to put the leftover chicken alfredo pasta in a saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat, with a splash of water or chicken broth. Then I'll cook it for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's fully warmed through. Let the frozen chicken alfredo thaw in the fridge overnight for the best results. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between chicken fettuccine alfredo and chicken alfredo?

Chicken fettuccine alfredo is made specifically with fettuccine pasta, which is a type of pasta that's flat and long, kind of like ribbons. Chicken alfredo, meanwhile, can be made with any kind of pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti.

How do you thicken alfredo sauce in a crock pot?

Using parmesan cheese and cream cheese is the most common way to thicken it up, like in this recipe. If it's looking a little thin for you, you can stir in a cornstarch slurry made with a tablespoon or two of cornstarch dissolved in the same amount of water. Continue cooking in the crock pot, and it should thicken within 5 to 10 minutes. You can also add more cream cheese and parmesan cheese to thicken it up.

More Crock Pot Recipes

• Crock pot cube steak and gravy
• Crock pot mac and cheese
• Crock pot cheesy potatoes
• Crock pot salsa chicken
• Crock pot chicken and rice