If you are craving a comforting and incredibly flavorful meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe will quickly become your go-to. Combining tender slow-cooked chicken with a luscious blend of cream cheese, cheddar, and a touch of spicy diced tomatoes, this dish delivers rich creaminess and a perfect balance of savory flavors. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—just toss everything into your crockpot and let the magic happen, creating a satisfying family dinner that everyone will ask for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to make a dish bursting with flavor, creamy texture, and eye-catching color. Each component plays a vital role, from creamy soups that add richness to the diced tomatoes that lend just the right hint of tangy spice.
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts: The heart of the dish, providing tender, juicy protein after slow cooking.
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup: Adds silky smooth creaminess and depth of flavor.
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup: Infuses earthiness and richness; can be swapped out for more cream of chicken if desired.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Keeps everything moist and helps blend the flavors beautifully.
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained): Provides subtle heat and a pop of color.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Enhances savory notes without overpowering.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder: Adds a mild aromatic base.
- ½ teaspoon paprika: Brings warmth and subtle smokiness.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: Provides gentle spice and balances richness.
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed: Melts into a velvety texture that makes the sauce irresistible.
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided: Sharp cheddar adds layers of cheesy goodness; dividing it helps create a melty topping.
- 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti: The perfect pasta to soak up all the creamy sauce.
- Salt to taste: Essential to enhance and balance all the flavors.
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional): Adds a fresh, vibrant touch to finish off your dish beautifully.
How to Make Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Combine the Base Ingredients
Start by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot. Layer on the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, and the diced tomatoes with green chilies, including all their juices. Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Gently stir everything together right in the crockpot, allowing the flavors to mingle while keeping the chicken at the bottom for even cooking.
Step 2: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover your crockpot and set it to low for 6 to 7 hours or choose the high setting for 3 to 4 hours if pressed for time. During this slow cook, the chicken will become wonderfully tender and soak up all those seasonings, while the soups create a rich, flavorful sauce base.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken and Add Cream Cheese
When the chicken is tender and cooked through, remove it carefully and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the crockpot. Add the cubed cream cheese and 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything together over low heat until the cheeses melt completely into a smooth, luscious sauce.
Step 4: Cook and Combine the Spaghetti
While the cheese is melting, cook your spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well to avoid any sogginess. Add the hot spaghetti right into the crockpot and stir carefully, ensuring every strand is well coated with that creamy, cheesy sauce.
Step 5: Finish with Cheese and Garnish
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top, cover, and let it sit for another 5 to 10 minutes. This step melts the cheese on top to a gooey, irresistible finish. If you’d like, garnish with chopped parsley for a lovely fresh note and a splash of green color before serving.
How to Serve Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley isn’t just decorative; it adds a bright, herbal lift that cuts through the richness. If you’re feeling adventurous, a dash of crushed red pepper flakes can add a nice little kick that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
Side Dishes
This dish shines as a standalone meal but pairs beautifully with crisp green salads, roasted vegetables, or even some garlic bread to soak up every bit of the creamy sauce. A side of steamed broccoli or a simple cucumber salad will balance the creamy richness with fresh textures.
Creative Ways to Present
For a family-style dinner, serve the creamy chicken spaghetti right from the crockpot to keep it warm and inviting. Alternatively, plate individual portions in shallow bowls, topped with extra cheddar and parsley for an elegant touch that’s perfect for dinner guests or cozy date nights at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover creamy crockpot chicken spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. It’s a terrific meal to enjoy the next day, as the flavors tend to meld even more beautifully overnight.
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Use a freezer-safe container and be sure to cool the dish completely before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results and maintain the creamy texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and encourage even warming. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk if the sauce seems too thick. Alternatively, warming in the microwave in short bursts with stirring in between works well too.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that cuts down on cooking time. Simply skip the slow cooking step and add shredded rotisserie chicken to the crockpot with the soups and other ingredients to warm through and blend flavors before adding the pasta.
Can I substitute the spaghetti with another pasta?
Yes, feel free to swap spaghetti for penne, rotini, or any pasta you like. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly, and some shapes hold sauce better than others, so choose your favorite for a personalized twist.
Is this recipe very spicy?
This Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe has a mild level of spice from the diced tomatoes with green chilies. If you prefer less heat, drain the tomatoes before adding or use plain diced tomatoes. For more heat, add extra chilies or a touch of hot sauce to taste.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Making this dish dairy-free is a bit tricky since cream cheese and cheddar are key for the creamy texture. However, you could experiment with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and vegan cheese, though the flavor and richness might slightly differ.
How do I prevent the pasta from getting mushy?
To avoid mushy pasta, cook the spaghetti until just al dente according to package instructions before mixing it into the crockpot. Also, add it near the end of cooking so it doesn’t continue to absorb liquid and become overly soft.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is truly one of those cozy, comforting meals that feels like a celebration of simple yet deeply satisfying flavors. Whether you’re feeding hungry kids or hosting a casual dinner with friends, this dish delivers warmth, creaminess, and a delightful mix of textures that never fails to impress. Give it a try and watch it become a beloved staple in your recipe collection!
Print
Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Kid-Friendly
Description
This creamy crockpot chicken spaghetti is a comforting, cheesy one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts cook slowly with creamy soups, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and spices, then get shredded and combined with cream cheese and cheddar. Cooked spaghetti is stirred in last to create a rich, flavorful dish that’s family-friendly and reheats beautifully.
Ingredients
Chicken and Soup Mixture
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Cheese and Pasta
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Crockpot Mixture: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Add the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, diced tomatoes with green chilies, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Gently stir to combine everything.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the crockpot.
- Add Cream Cheese and Cheddar: Stir in the cubed cream cheese and 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese into the crockpot. Mix until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Cook Spaghetti: While the cheese melts, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the crockpot and stir well to evenly coat the noodles with the creamy chicken mixture.
- Melt Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cover and cook for another 5–10 minutes to melt the cheese completely.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve the creamy chicken spaghetti warm.
Notes
- You can swap out cream of mushroom soup for more cream of chicken soup for a milder flavor.
- Using rotisserie chicken is a great time saver, reducing overall cook time.
- This dish reheats very well, making it excellent for leftovers.
