Description
Easy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is a cheesy, comforting meal made simple with the help of your slow cooker. Loaded with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and melty cheese, this easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (24 oz) jar of marinara sauce (or your favorite spaghetti sauce)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies (optional, for heat)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 oz uncooked spaghetti, broken into halves or thirds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
- Cauliflower rice (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts or thighs and cook until browned on both sides, about 4–5 minutes per side. (You can skip this step if you prefer to add raw chicken directly to the crockpot.)
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, green chilies, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Layer the crockpot: Place the cooked or raw chicken at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. The chicken should be tender enough to shred easily with two forks.
- Shred the chicken: After cooking, shred the chicken in the crockpot using two forks and mix it well with the sauce.
- Add the pasta: Break the uncooked spaghetti into smaller pieces and stir it into the crockpot. Make sure the pasta is submerged in the sauce.
- Add the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the pasta. Stir to combine and let the cheese melt into the sauce and pasta for 10–15 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and serve: Top with freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a burst of freshness.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless thighs: Chicken thighs stay juicier and more flavorful in the slow cooker than breasts.
- Layer your ingredients: Add the chicken first to ensure even cooking.
- Break the pasta into smaller pieces: This helps the pasta cook evenly and absorb all the delicious sauce.
- Stir occasionally: Give the pasta a quick stir halfway through to prevent sticking.
- Add extra cheese: Feel free to add more mozzarella or cheddar if you want an extra cheesy finish!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg