Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe (2024)

Make this Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Pasta recipe for a restaurant-worthy meal with little to no prep. No longer do you have to splurge on this classic dish for takeout! Make this incredibly simple version at home for a new family favorite.

The slow cooker is a popular choice for many chicken recipes, but have you tried adding your favorite pasta yet? Yes, you really can make a delicious all-in-one meal with creamy, cheesy Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked noodles.

Why Chicken Alfredo Is A Family Favorite

Creamy sauce. Cheese. Pasta… need I say more? In case you haven’t tried chicken Alfredo pasta before, here are a few more reasons to convince you why it is THE best and even better in the slow cooker.

• The slow cooker version of this famous dish gives you a gourmet-style meal without the cost – plus, extra portions for seconds or leftovers!
• Using a made-from-scratch recipe, this version contains no preservatives, high sodium levels, or extra oils for a healthy dish that you can serve your family proudly.
• With the slow cooker, you will get perfectly tender chicken and can also include pasta near the end for a one-pot dish. The traditional method would require at least 3-4 different pieces of cookware!
• This recipe includes cream cheese which makes the sauce super tasty and filling for everyone. The cream cheese thickens the sauce seamlessly instead of making a traditional roux over the stove.
• Paired with our favorite veggie side dish or salad, this is a satisfying meal that leaves everyone happy!

Ingredients Needed

• Chicken – Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy shredding.
• Chicken broth – Broth creates a flavorful base for the Alfredo sauce. Try chicken bone broth for added nutrients!
• Herb & garlic seasoning – Alfredo sauce only needs simple seasoning to allow the cheesy flavors to take the lead! This herb & garlic seasoning is a great subtle mix for sauces.
• Salt – Just a pinch!
• Cream cheese – Cream cheese is not typically used in stovetop Alfredo sauces, but it works very well in the slow cooker as a creamy base with just the right thickness.
• Parmesan cheese – Fresh-grated would be the optimal choice but shredded can work just as well!
• Cornstarch and water – These will make an easy slurry mixture to thicken the sauce near the end.
• Noodles – I used classic fettuccine noodles for my family but you could also swap for another noodle with a firmer texture such as penne, fusilli, or bow-tie noodles.
• Add a bit of chopped parsley for garnish if desired!

How To Make Chicken Alfredo In The Slow Cooker

Making pasta in the slow cooker is not as complicated as it may seem! Simply cook the meats and sauces first, then add pasta toward the end of cooking. With that in mind, be sure to plan to be near your slow cooker when 30 minutes to an hour remains in the cooking time so that you can add and monitor the noodles.

1. Place chicken, broth, and seasonings in the slow cooker.
2. Top the chicken with cream cheese and shredded parmesan and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
3. When the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Set the chicken aside in a dish.
4. Whisk together a slurry of cornstarch and water and add it to the slow cooker.
5. Using a whisk, stir the slow cooker mixture until the parmesan and cream cheese are combined and smooth.
6. Break the dry noodles in half and place them in the slow cooker. (As a reminder, this will likely be a few hours into the cooking time depending on the low or high setting.)
7. Top the noodles with chicken and cover the slow cooker.
8. Turn the slow cooker on high for 30-60 minutes until the noodles are fully cooked. Stir the noodles 3-4 times during cooking to ensure they do not become mushy.
9. If noodles are not done after the allotted time, add extra water or broth (1/2 cup at a time) until cooked to al dente.

A few tips for the best Alfredo pasta:

• Add extra water or broth if the pasta is not tender at the end of cooking and monitor for an additional 10-15 minutes.
• Add more cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce if needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth.
• Turn off the slow cooker and serve right away for best results.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• If you wish, you can cook the noodles separately according to their package directions and just reduce the amount of broth at the beginning. This may be a better option if you won’t be nearby to stir the noodles during slow cooking. Simply add the precooked noodles to the chicken Alfredo mixture when ready to serve!
• Use different noodles if you like.
• You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. You may wish to dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces rather than shredding.
• Adding frozen veggies is another way to get some extra nutrition in the meal! Simply add a bag of frozen veggies like broccoli cuts or peas at the same time that you add the pasta noodles.
• Try my homemade Italian dressing mix as a swap for the herb & garlic seasoning. Add a pinch of ground black pepper or crushed red pepper for a little extra spice!

What To Serve With Chicken Alfredo

Almost any restaurant menu will pair chicken Alfredo pasta with a crunchy Caesar salad and some form of garlic bread. You can’t go wrong with a side of each on your table! To keep your meal prep simple, pick up a salad mix and frozen rolls or bread at the grocery store and recreate this complete meal at home.

If you have time to try out extra veggies, some tasty and colorful options are Sautéed Carrots with Honey or Lemon Pepper Roasted Asparagus. These can be made in a skillet or oven while your slow cooker is working away!

Storing and Reheating

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat single servings in the microwave. I do NOT recommend freezing Alfredo pasta due to the texture changes in the noodles once defrosted.

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo FAQs

• Would this recipe make a good freezer meal? This recipe can be adapted as an easy freezer meal. Use a freezer-safe gallon bag and assemble all ingredients except noodles, cornstarch, and water. Label your bag for later and follow directions once defrosted!
• Would jarred Alfredo sauce work for this recipe? Many other slow cooker recipes DO use jarred Alfredo sauce. However, I don’t recommend swapping ingredients for a jar of sauce here since plenty of liquid is needed for both the chicken and noodles to cook appropriately.
• How long does it take to cook pasta in the slow cooker? Each slow cooker has a slight temperature variation, so I would estimate that the pasta will cook between 30-60 minutes on the high setting.
• What to do if the chicken Alfredo is too dry? If the Alfredo is too thick or too dry, add some additional chicken broth and mix well to combine.

More Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes

• Slow Cooker Sausage Pasta Bake
• Slow Cooker Chili Mac
• Slow Cooker Firecracker Chicken Pasta
• Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
• Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Bolognese Lasagna

Related