Pin A rich, comforting slow-cooker dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a creamy Alfredo sauce with garlic, parmesan, and Italian herbs. Perfect for busy weeknights—just dump, cook, and enjoy!
This recipe became my go-to weeknight dinner when my family craved comfort food and I needed something easy. Every time I set up the slow cooker in the morning, we all looked forward to walking into a delicious, savory aroma without worrying about last-minute dinner prep.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: 4 boneless, skinless (about 1.5 lbs (700 g))
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Onion: 1 small, finely chopped (optional)
- Frozen peas: 1 cup (150 g) (optional)
- Fresh mushrooms: 2 cups (250 g) sliced (optional)
- Heavy cream: 2 cups (480 ml)
- Low-sodium chicken broth: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Parmesan cheese: 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated
- Cream cheese: 4 oz (115 g) cubed and softened
- Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp cubed
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Black pepper: ½ tsp
- Dried Italian herbs: 1 tsp (basil, oregano, thyme mix)
- Crushed red pepper flakes: ¼ tsp (optional)
- Pasta for serving: 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine or linguine, cooked
Instructions
- Layer Chicken:
- Arrange chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add Aromatics & Veggies:
- Scatter minced garlic and chopped onion (if using) over the chicken. Add mushrooms and peas if desired.
- Mix Sauce:
- Whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan, cream cheese, butter, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes until mostly smooth.
- Combine & Cook:
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
- Finish:
- Remove chicken, shred or slice, and return to sauce. Stir to combine, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve:
- Serve hot over cooked pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.
Pin This meal came together for us on countless busy nights, with everyone gathering around the family table, excited to dig into the creamy pasta. Even picky eaters happily finished their bowls and asked for seconds!
Required Tools
4-6 quart slow cooker, mixing bowl, whisk, knife and cutting board, pasta pot
Allergen Information
Contains milk (cream, cheese, butter) and wheat (pasta). Double-check processed ingredient labels for gluten and lactose if sensitive.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (excluding pasta): 460 calories, 31 g total fat, 7 g carbohydrates, 39 g protein
Pin Serve immediately for the creamiest texture, and don't forget extra Parmesan and parsley. This dish is sure to become your new weeknight favorite!
Recipe Questions
- → What kind of chicken works best for this dish?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are recommended as they cook evenly and absorb the creamy sauce well.
- → Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
Yes, sliced mushrooms and frozen peas are great additions that complement the rich sauce nicely.
- → How can I adjust the creaminess of the sauce?
For a lighter texture, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and consider using Neufchâtel cheese instead of cream cheese.
- → What pasta pairs well with this creamy chicken dish?
Fettuccine or linguine are ideal as their broad strands hold the sauce well, but gnocchi or zucchini noodles can also be used.
- → How long should the dish simmer in the slow cooker?
Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours until the chicken is tender and flavors meld beautifully.