Looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that practically makes itself? This Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is the answer! Tender chicken, a creamy, cheesy sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti come together in your slow cooker for an easy weeknight meal everyone will love.
Imagine diving into a bowl of perfectly cooked spaghetti coated in a rich, cheesy, and flavorful sauce, all studded with juicy chicken. This satisfying dish is sure to become a family favorite!
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, cheesy, and comforting with a hint of spice from the diced tomatoes.
- Texture: Creamy, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked spaghetti.
- Total Time: About 5-6 hours on low, or 3-4 hours on high (includes cooking and resting time).
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for beginner cooks.
What You’ll Need
This recipe relies on the convenience of simple ingredients to create maximum flavor with minimal effort. At its heart, it’s about tender chicken cooked in a flavorful sauce, mixed with perfectly cooked spaghetti, and topped with plenty of cheese!
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used here, they cook quickly in the slow cooker and shred easily.
- Spices – The combination of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper seasons the chicken beautifully, creating a depth of flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Diced Tomatoes – Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies, like Rotel, add a touch of acidity and mild heat to the sauce.
- Cream of Chicken Soup – This adds creaminess and richness to the sauce and complements the chicken flavor.
- Chicken Broth – Helps thin out the sauce to a perfect consistency and adds extra flavor.
- Velveeta Cheese – Adds a smooth texture and a classic cheesy flavor.
- Cream Cheese – Gives the sauce extra creaminess and a slightly tangy flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese adds a sharp, cheesy flavor, and some is reserved for topping!.
- Spaghetti – The classic pasta shape for this dish, it soaks up the creamy sauce perfectly.
How to Make Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Making this cheesy chicken spaghetti is as simple as layering ingredients in your slow cooker and letting it do the work! Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Season the Chicken: Place 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the slow cooker. Season them generously with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Pour the contents of 1 can (10 ounces) of diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained) over the chicken. Add 1 can (10.5 ounces) of cream of chicken soup and 1 cup (8 ounces) of chicken broth. Top with 8 ounces of cubed Velveeta cheese and 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Pro Tip: Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before shredding. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Melt the Cheese and Stir: Stir the shredded chicken until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheddar: Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, setting aside the remainder for topping.
- Cook the Pasta: Near the end of the cooking time, cook 12 ounces of spaghetti in salted water according to the package directions, then drain it thoroughly.
- Combine and Simmer: Add the cooked spaghetti to the slow cooker and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
- Melt the Topping: Sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese over the top, cover the slow cooker, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley or green onions (optional) and serve while warm.
Recipe Tips
- For best results, make sure to cook the chicken until it is fork-tender. This ensures it’s easy to shred.
- Don’t overcook the pasta, it will continue to absorb liquid and soften in the slow cooker.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little extra chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Use a combination of cheeses for even more flavor. A little parmesan or Monterey Jack cheese can be a tasty addition.
FAQs
- Can I use different types of pasta? Yes you can. You can use any type of pasta.
- Can I use frozen chicken breasts? Yes, you can. Make sure to add extra time to your cook time.
- Can I make this on the stovetop? You can, but the flavors won’t have the same slow cooker depth of flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Fresh Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect complement to this rich dish.
- Garlic Bread: Serve with crusty garlic bread for dipping into the delicious sauce.
- Steamed Vegetables: Add a side of steamed broccoli or green beans for a healthy touch.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare this dish in advance by assembling all of the ingredients in the slow cooker ahead of time, then refrigerating it for up to 24 hours before cooking. Cook as directed. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Print
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
- Total Time: 375
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting, crowd-pleasing dish with tender chicken, creamy cheesy sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti in a slow cooker. Rich, savory, and perfect for weeknights!
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
1 cup chicken broth
8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
8 ounces spaghetti
Instructions
Season the chicken breasts with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.
Place them in the slow cooker.
Pour diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth over the chicken.
Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package instructions; drain.
Add cooked spaghetti to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Add Velveeta, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese cubes. Mix until melted. Top with extra cheddar cheese.
Notes
Ensure chicken reaches 165°F before proceeding.
Adjust seasonings to taste.
For non-Velveeta cheese, use shredded mozzarella or a dairy-free alternative if needed.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 360
- Category: dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
