Description
This Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Slow Cooker Delight is a creamy, comforting dish perfect for a family dinner. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a rich Alfredo sauce, combined with pasta and melted cheeses, creating a luscious, flavorful meal that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 pound uncooked penne pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender enough to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add Pasta and Cheese: Add the uncooked penne pasta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and butter to the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to combine, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Cook Pasta: Cover and cook on high for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is creamy and thickened. Stir occasionally during this time for even cooking.
- Serve: Stir the dish well before serving to blend the cheese evenly. Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh touch, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for some of the heavy cream.
- Use rotisserie chicken to reduce cooking and prep time significantly.
- Add steamed broccoli or spinach to include a healthy vegetable boost.
- Use low-sodium broth to further control the salt content, if preferred.
- Ensure pasta is mostly submerged in the sauce to prevent drying out during cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
