When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can compete with the creamy, cheesy goodness of Chicken Alfredo. This Crockpot Chicken Alfredo recipe takes all the flavors you love and makes them even easier to enjoy. With minimal prep time, the slow cooker does all the work, delivering tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta in one pot. Whether it’s a busy weeknight dinner or a weekend meal with family, this recipe is the definition of convenience and flavor combined.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pot convenience – Everything, including the pasta, cooks right in the crockpot.
- Rich and creamy flavor – A blend of heavy cream, cream cheese, butter, and Parmesan creates a decadent sauce.
- Minimal prep – Just add the ingredients and let your slow cooker handle the rest.
- Family favorite – Kids and adults alike will love the classic Alfredo taste.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound uncooked ziti pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Place the chicken thighs, heavy cream, chicken broth, cream cheese, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning into your crockpot. Stir lightly to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
Remove the chicken from the crockpot, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot. Stir in the uncooked ziti pasta and Parmesan cheese. Cover again and cook on HIGH for about 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the flavors of the sauce.
Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
- Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness, but chicken breasts can be substituted.
- Shred the chicken finely so it blends evenly with the pasta and sauce.
- Keep an eye on the pasta toward the end to avoid overcooking.
- Add vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or peas for extra flavor and nutrition.
What to Serve It With
Crockpot Chicken Alfredo is hearty enough to stand on its own, but pairing it with complementary sides can take your meal to the next level. Here are some ideas:
- Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks
- Classic Caesar salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Sautéed spinach with garlic
- Roasted asparagus
- Caprese salad with fresh basil and tomatoes
- Mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Zucchini noodles or roasted zucchini
- Fresh fruit salad for a lighter touch
- Creamy mashed potatoes for an extra indulgent pairing
- Roasted carrots with a honey glaze
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the cream-based sauce can separate when frozen.
Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese cubed
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter cubed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb uncooked ziti pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add chicken thighs, heavy cream, chicken broth, cream cheese, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to crockpot. Stir lightly.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours, or until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to crockpot.
- Stir in uncooked ziti and Parmesan cheese. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 30 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with parsley and extra Parmesan.
