Get ready to fall in love with the most effortless and decadent pasta dish you’ll ever make. This Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal with minimal prep. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it dinner that will have the whole family asking for seconds.
We’re talking tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked pasta enveloped in a rich, velvety, and supremely creamy Alfredo sauce. The secret? The slow cooker does all the work, melding the flavors together for hours to create a truly unforgettable meal. Say goodbye to standing over a hot stove and hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Recipe
This isn’t just another pasta recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy families. It’s designed for maximum flavor with minimum effort, making it a perfect addition to your dinner rotation.
The perfect bite of homemade chicken alfredo.
Incredibly Easy: With just a few minutes of prep, you can have this meal cooking away. It’s a true “dump-and-go” recipe that doesn’t require any complicated steps. For another super simple meal, try this dump-and-go buffalo chicken.
Rich & Creamy Sauce: Slow cooking allows the flavors of garlic, cream, and parmesan to meld into a luxuriously smooth and flavorful sauce that coats every single noodle.
Perfectly Tender Chicken: The chicken cooks low and slow until it’s perfectly tender and easy to shred. It soaks up all the delicious flavors of the Alfredo sauce.
Family-Approved: This creamy, cheesy pasta is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s comforting, satisfying, and simply delicious.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create this masterpiece. No complicated sauces or fancy cheeses required!
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best. They cook up beautifully and are easy to shred.
Heavy Cream & Chicken Broth: This combination creates the perfect base for our Alfredo sauce – creamy, but not too heavy.
Cream Cheese: The secret weapon for an ultra-creamy, stable sauce that won’t break in the slow cooker.
Garlic & Seasonings: Freshly minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper build a classic, savory flavor profile.
Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor. Avoid the pre-shredded kind, which can contain anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy.
Fettuccine Pasta: The classic choice for Alfredo. Its wide, flat shape is perfect for holding onto the rich sauce.
Fresh Parsley: For a fresh, vibrant garnish that cuts through the richness.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this Crockpot Chicken Alfredo is as simple as 1-2-3. Just follow these easy steps for a perfect result every time.
Look at that creamy, dreamy sauce!
Step 1: Slow Cook the Chicken & Sauce Base
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Finally, place the block of cream cheese on top. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Step 2: Shred the Chicken & Create the Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. While the chicken rests, whisk the sauce in the slow cooker until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This is the magic moment where your Alfredo sauce comes together!
Step 3: Cook the Pasta & Combine
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, cook the fettuccine pasta according to package directions until al dente. Stir the shredded chicken and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the slow cooker. Continue to heat until the cheese is melted. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the slow cooker, tossing gently to coat every strand in the glorious sauce.
Tips for the Best Creamy Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
Want to ensure your Alfredo is absolutely perfect? Follow these simple but effective tips.
Use Full-Fat Dairy: For the creamiest, most stable sauce, use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream. Low-fat versions are more likely to curdle or create a thin sauce. If you’re looking for lighter options, explore these healthy slow cooker dinners.
Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheeses contain starches that can prevent them from melting smoothly. Grating a block of Parmesan cheese by hand makes a world of difference.
Don’t Add the Pasta to the Slow Cooker Raw: While it might seem easier, adding uncooked pasta can result in a gummy texture and an overly starchy sauce. Cooking it separately ensures the perfect bite.
Whisk Vigorously: When incorporating the cream cheese, don’t be shy! A good, vigorous whisk is key to a silky-smooth sauce.
What to Serve with Chicken Alfredo
This rich pasta dish is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to round it out.
Garlic Bread: A classic choice for sopping up any extra Alfredo sauce.
A Crisp Green Salad: A simple salad with a light vinaigrette provides a fresh, acidic contrast to the rich, creamy pasta.
Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans are excellent choices.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking! Here are a few ideas:
Add Veggies: Stir in some steamed broccoli florets or fresh spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings for a little kick.
Change the Protein: This recipe also works well with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even pre-cooked Italian sausage. For another delicious chicken idea, check out this Tuscan chicken recipe.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture. Avoid microwaving, as it can cause the sauce to separate.
The key is using full-fat dairy products like heavy cream and block-style cream cheese. The stabilizers in cream cheese and the high fat content of the cream help prevent the sauce from separating under low, prolonged heat.
You can, but the flavor and texture will be different. If you do, add it at the end with the cooked pasta and chicken, and just heat it through. This recipe is designed to create a much richer, fresher-tasting sauce from scratch with minimal effort.
Fettuccine is the traditional choice because its wide, flat surface is perfect for catching the rich, creamy sauce. However, other sturdy pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or pappardelle also work very well.
Yes, absolutely. The chicken will cook perfectly in the sauce. Just make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before you shred it and serve.
First, let it rest for 5-10 minutes, as it will naturally thicken as it cools. If it’s still too thin, you can make a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then whisking it into the sauce and letting it cook for another 15-20 minutes on high.
The Easiest Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Recipe
FL Recipes
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo: The Easiest, Creamiest Recipe Ever
The ultimate Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo recipe! This easy crockpot meal features tender chicken and a rich, velvety cream sauce. It's a set-it-and-forget-it dinner perfect for any busy weeknight, guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the heavy cream and chicken broth over the chicken. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Place the cubed cream cheese on top.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Set aside. Whisk the sauce remaining in the slow cooker until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
While you shred the chicken, cook the fettuccine in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
Stir the shredded chicken and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce in the slow cooker. Once the cheese is melted, add the drained fettuccine. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 850kcalProtein: 45gFat: 50gFiber: 3g
Notes
Tip 1: For the creamiest sauce, use full-fat block cream cheese, not the spreadable kind. Tip 2: Always grate your own Parmesan. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Tip 3: If the sauce seems too thin, let it stand for 5-10 minutes. It will thicken as it cools slightly.
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The creamiest Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo you'll ever make!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
