When you are in the mood for a comforting pasta dinner that doesn’t require a lot of effort, slow cooker chicken alfredo pasta with cream cheese is perfect! This simple but flavorful recipe will have your family begging for seconds. The entire dish is cooked right in your CrockPot, making it the perfect weeknight meal. Give this recipe a try - it is sure to become a family favorite.
When it comes to prepping an easy family meal without a lot of fuss, my slow cooker is a kitchen superstar.
From comforting mains like Crockpot chicken pot pie and crockpot ravioli lasagna to simple sides like slow cooker rice, crockpot mashed potatoes, and slow cooker sweet potatoes, my trusty slow cooker comes through for me time and again.
When I need need a bowl of comfort, this crock pot chicken alfredo always hits the spot.
Follow along, and I’ll teach you how to make a delicious bowl of creamy pasta goodness.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken: Boneless chicken breast is my preference for making chicken alfredo in the Crockpot, but boneless skinless chicken thighs would work well too.
- Cream: Make sure that you use heavy cream and not milk or half and half. In my experience, low-fat dairy does not hold up well in the slow cooker.
- Broth: I like to use homemade chicken broth, but any kind you have in your pantry or freezer will work.
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for this recipe for the best results. The cream cheese is a non-traditional Alfredo ingredient and is used to make sure the sauce is rich, and creamy, and doesn't separate when cooked in the slow cooker.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter so that you can adjust the saltiness of the sauce of my crockpot alfredo.
- Seasonings: I use garlic powder, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper to season this crockpot chicken alfredo recipe. Onion powder and cajun seasoning are also nice additions.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese is a must for this recipe. Pre-grated cheese will not melt properly in the slow cooker.
- Pasta: I love fettuccine noodles in this recipe, but you could play with other types of pasta if you prefer. Make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Step by Step
For the full recipe with measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Cooking Your Pasta Separately
Cooking pasta in the slow cooker is a great time-saving option, but there is an ever-so-slight deterioration in the texture of the pasta. If you want to make alfredo sauce with cream cheese and chicken in your crockpot and cook the pasta on the stove, you can!
I have tested this extensively, and we find that this is best if you follow the recipe as directed but reduce the broth by 1 cup. You can cook your pasta on the stove and then add it to your crockpot cream cheese alfredo right in your slow cooker.
Tips & Tricks
- Make sure you stir the pasta several times as it cooks to make sure that the noodles don't stick together. The rest of this recipe can be hands off, but this is a must. (Just remember, don't leave the lid off your slow cooker for too long, or it can greatly impact the cooking time!)
- Use fresh parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded to make sure the cheese melts and incorporates into the sauce properly for the perfect fettuccine alfredo.
- If you'd like a slightly thicker sauce, simply add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons of cold water to your slow cooker before adding the noodles. Stir until incorporated. (Just remember that the noodles need something to cook in, and the sauce will thicken up quite a bit!)
- Add sauteed mushrooms, spinach, broccoli florets, kale, carrots, or baby peas to mix things up. Chopped bacon is also a nice addition to slow cooker alfredo.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this recipe with a simple green salad and bread machine dinner rolls or focaccia bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is heavy cream or milk better for Alfredo?
Heavy cream is the best choice for Alfredo sauce, as it has a high fat content which helps thicken the sauce and make it creamy.
Milk or half and half can be used instead, but the texture will be thinner and less rich.
In the slow cooker, heavy cream does much better at creating a thick sauce that stays together.
Is it better to cook chicken breasts on low or high in slow cooker?
Either work fine, as long as you have enough liquid and don't overcook.
Always make sure to check for doneness before serving. Chicken is done when it has an internal
Tools Needed to Make
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Storage
Store leftover crockpot chicken alfredo with cream cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating instructions
To reheat, place alfredo and noodles in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add additional cream or broth to thin out if desired. Enjoy!
More Crockpot Recipes to Try
- For a hearty, meaty main that's sure to impress, our Slow Cooker Tri Tip is a must-try, with its tantalizing flavors and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
- Dive into a bowl of our Crockpot Lasagna Soup, a clever twist on the classic Italian dish that delivers all the cheesy, saucy goodness in a comforting soup form.
- If you're looking for a hands-off barbecue fix, our Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe is a winner, offering juicy chicken smothered in a tangy, smoky sauce without the need for a grill.
- And finally, our Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is a delightful fusion of flavors, pairing tender chicken with spaghetti in a creamy, cheesy sauce that's sure to be a hit with the whole family. This will become one of your favorite crockpot chicken recipes.
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Cream Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken broth use 1 cup if cooking the pasta seperately
- 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
- ½ cup unsalted butter cubed
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 16 ounces fettuccine noodles
Instructions
- Place the chicken, heavy cream, chicken broth, cream cheese, butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in your slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Shred with forks or cube the chicken.
- Whisk the parmesan cheese into the sauce.
- Place the noodles in your slow cooker. They will fit in most slow cookers, but if they do not fit in yours you can break them in half. Use a spoon to make sure the noodles are submerged in the liquid. (It will be very saucy at this point - that is ok!)
- Add the chicken on top of the pasta.
- Cook on high for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking. Test for doneness, and cook another 15 minutes if needed.
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