Description
This Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta recipe is a comforting and easy crockpot meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked with garlic, onion, and black pepper meld with creamy Italian dressing, cream of chicken soup, and milk to create a rich sauce. Tossed with perfectly cooked corkscrew pasta and Parmesan cheese, this dish delivers hearty flavors with minimal effort.
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 Italian Dressing (Olive Garden or preferred brand)
- 2 cups Milk
Pasta and Finishing
- 16 oz Cellentani (Corkscrew) pasta or any short pasta
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1-2 tsp Dried Parsley Flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the crockpot. Season evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper for balanced flavor throughout the meat.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, Italian dressing, and milk. Pour this mixture over the seasoned chicken in the crockpot, ensuring the chicken is well coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Cooking times may vary by appliance. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Cook the Pasta: Around 20 minutes before the chicken is done, bring salted water to a boil on the stovetop. Add the corkscrew pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on pasta type. Drain and set aside.
- Shred or Dice Chicken: Once the chicken has finished cooking, remove it from the crockpot and shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked pasta and shredded chicken to the crockpot containing the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional black pepper if needed. Sprinkle dried parsley flakes on top for added color and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs tend to be more tender and flavorful.
- If you prefer, substitute gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.
- Adjust the amount of Italian dressing based on how tangy or creamy you want the sauce.
- For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of milk slightly or let the crockpot cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
- Leftovers store well and make a great next-day meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
