Description
A creamy and cheesy chicken Alfredo recipe made effortlessly in a slow cooker. Tender chicken breasts simmer in a garlicky broth seasoned with Italian herbs, then combined with uncooked penne pasta, rich heavy cream, and a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses for a deliciously comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound uncooked penne pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, mixing it into the broth.
- Add pasta and cream: Add the uncooked penne pasta to the slow cooker, stirring well to submerge it in the liquid. Pour in the heavy cream and add the butter, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook the pasta: Cover and cook on high for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring once halfway through the cooking time to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, until the pasta is tender.
- Incorporate cheeses: Stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses, mixing until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Rest and serve: Let the Alfredo mixture rest for 5 minutes to thicken before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a fresh touch.
Notes
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up.
- You can substitute penne with rotini or rigatoni pasta for variety.
- For extra flavor, add cooked bacon or sautéed mushrooms at the end of cooking before serving.
