Crock Pot chicken spaghetti is one of those dinners that makes me very happy to own a slow cooker. It’s creamy, cheesy, filling, and exactly the kind of meal everyone wants after a long day — but most of the work happens without you standing at the stove.
The chicken cooks until tender in the slow cooker with the creamy sauce, then you shred it and stir everything together with spaghetti and cheese. It’s a really good option for busy weeknights because you can get the chicken going earlier in the day and finish the pasta right before dinner.
If your family loves creamy chicken pasta, this is one of those recipes worth keeping in the regular dinner rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti
- The slow cooker handles the chicken. You don’t need to cook it in a separate pan first.
- It’s very family-friendly. Creamy chicken, spaghetti, and plenty of cheese are a pretty safe combination.
- Great for busy afternoons. Start the chicken earlier, then finish dinner when you’re ready to eat.
- Makes a filling dinner. You really only need a simple vegetable or salad on the side.
- Leftovers reheat well. Just add a small splash of milk or broth if the sauce thickens in the refrigerator.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti
The full ingredient amounts are in the recipe card below, but the basic process is really simple.
First, add the chicken and sauce ingredients to the slow cooker and cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the Crock Pot.
While the chicken is finishing, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions unless your particular recipe cooks the pasta directly in the slow cooker.
Stir the cooked spaghetti and cheese into the creamy chicken mixture and let everything heat through until the cheese is melted and the sauce coats the noodles.
What Makes Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti Creamy?
The creamy sauce is what makes this Crock Pot chicken spaghetti so comforting. The chicken cooks right in the slow cooker with the sauce ingredients, which gives everything time to blend together and build flavor before the pasta is added.
Once the chicken is tender, it gets shredded and stirred back into the sauce with the cheese and spaghetti. The result is a rich, creamy chicken pasta that coats the noodles really well without needing a separate homemade cream sauce.
I also love that this is the kind of recipe you can adjust a little depending on what you have. If the sauce gets thicker than you like, a splash of chicken broth, milk, or even a little reserved pasta water can loosen it back up.
Do You Cook the Spaghetti Before Adding It to the Crock Pot?
Yes. I recommend cooking the spaghetti separately and adding it toward the end.
This gives you much more control over the texture of the pasta and helps keep the noodles from becoming too soft while the chicken cooks.
Cook the spaghetti just until tender, then stir it into the creamy chicken mixture right before serving.
Can I Put Raw Chicken in the Slow Cooker?
Yes. If your recipe starts with raw chicken, it can cook directly in the slow cooker with the sauce ingredients.
Cook the chicken until it is fully done and the thickest part reaches 165°F, then remove it, shred it, and stir it back into the sauce.
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?
Yes. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut if you want to make this even faster.
Instead of cooking raw chicken in the slow cooker, stir shredded rotisserie chicken into the sauce toward the end, then add the cooked spaghetti and cheese.
It’s a really good option for busy nights or when you’re trying to use up leftover chicken.
How Do I Keep Chicken Spaghetti From Drying Out?
Chicken spaghetti will continue to thicken as it sits because the pasta absorbs some of the sauce.
The easiest way to keep it creamy is to avoid overcooking the spaghetti and add it only once the sauce is ready.
If the mixture gets too thick, stir in a splash of chicken broth, milk, or reserved pasta water until it reaches the consistency you like.
Can I Make Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti Ahead of Time?
You can make the chicken and sauce portion ahead of time, but I prefer adding the spaghetti closer to serving.
Pasta continues to absorb liquid as it sits, so keeping the noodles separate until the end helps the finished dish stay creamier.
If you do have leftovers, add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to bring the sauce back together.
What to Serve With Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti
Crock Pot chicken spaghetti is already pretty filling, so I usually keep the sides simple.
It goes really well with:
- rosted asparagus
- green beans
- a simple green salad
- roasted vegetables
- garlic bread
- crusty bread
For a busy weeknight, chicken spaghetti with one vegetable on the side is honestly plenty.
Other weeknight dinner ideas:
Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken
Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Watch How To Make This Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti!
You can watch me make this and more fall inspired slow cooker meals in this Youtube video.
And for more fall inspired meals check out these videos:
MORE SLOW COOKER RECIPES TO TRY
- 7 Can Soup (True Dump n Go Meal!)
- Shredded Mexican Beef Tacos
- Tangy BBQ Slow Cooker Drumsticks! (So CHEAP!)
Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 can rotel
- 1 pound cooked pasta spaghetti or your favorite noodle
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Mix the first 8 ingredients well in a slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6.
- Remove the chicken and dice it.
- Add the chicken back to the slow cooker.
- Mix in the cooked spaghetti, sour cream, and cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Maria Ronan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Links on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission. Thank you for supporting Meals With Maria! My videos and website are for entertainment purposes only. Any information related to food, food safety, cooking, recipes, etc. are my opinions only. Maria Ronan is not liable and/or responsible for any advice, services, or product you obtain through this video and website.
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