Description
This Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful crockpot meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken simmers in a creamy mixture of cream of chicken soup, Italian dressing, and milk, then combined with al dente pasta and Parmesan cheese for a rich, satisfying dinner that’s easy to prepare and serve.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1.5 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1-2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1-2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1-2 tsp Black Pepper
Sauce
- 10.5 oz Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
- 8 oz Olive Garden Italian Dressing or any other brand
- 2 cups Milk
Pasta and Garnish
- 16 oz Cellentani (Corkscrew) pasta or any short pasta
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1-2 tsp Dried Parsley Flakes
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in the crockpot. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper over the chicken evenly to season well.
- Mix the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, Italian dressing, and milk. Pour this creamy mixture over the seasoned chicken in the crockpot.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook the chicken on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender.
- Prepare the Pasta: When the chicken is nearly finished cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cellentani or short pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the crockpot, then dice or shred it into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the shredded chicken and cooked pasta to the crockpot with the liquid sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until evenly incorporated.
- Season and Adjust Consistency: Add additional black pepper and dried parsley flakes to taste. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little more milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Mix everything well once more and serve the creamy Italian chicken pasta warm for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- Cooking times may vary based on your crockpot model; always check that chicken reaches 165°F internally for safety.
- You can use chicken breasts or thighs depending on preference; thighs will produce a slightly richer flavor.
- Short pasta shapes similar to cellentani such as penne, rotini, or rigatoni can be used as alternatives.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of milk or simmer with lid off for a short time before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk if necessary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
