Description
Comforting crockpot chicken spaghetti emerges as a hearty dish blending tender chicken with creamy cheese sauce. Home cooks appreciate this simple one-pot meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.52 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
- 12 oz (340 grams) spaghetti or your favorite pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Chicken Preparation: Uniformly arrange chicken pieces at the bottom of the crockpot, ensuring optimal heat distribution and even cooking.
- Foundational Sauce Layer: Generously cover chicken with cream of chicken and mushroom soups, establishing a robust flavor base for the dish.
- Seasoning Infusion: Liberally scatter Rotel, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper across the surface to create a complex and aromatic profile.
- Slow-Cooking Process: Seal crockpot lid and allow mixture to simmer, transforming chicken into tender, easily shreddable protein with deep, integrated flavors.
- Protein Transformation: Remove chicken and meticulously shred using two forks, creating delicate, soft strands that will integrate seamlessly with the sauce.
- Cheese Integration: Reintroduce shredded chicken to the sauce, then incorporate cream cheese and sharp cheddar, stirring until ingredients meld into a luxuriously smooth consistency.
- Pasta Incorporation: Gently fold cooked spaghetti into the creamy mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is completely enveloped by the rich, velvety sauce.
- Serving Presentation: Plate the dish, optionally garnishing with an additional cheddar sprinkle, and pair with crisp garlic bread or a light salad to balance the creamy entrée.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Placement: Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding to ensure even cooking and prevent uneven texture.
- Prevent Dairy Curdling: Add cream cheese and cheddar off-heat to maintain smooth consistency and avoid potential separation or grainy sauce.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust Rotel and spice quantities to personal heat preference, using mild or hot variants based on family tastes.
- Enhance Protein Alternatives: Swap chicken with turkey, shredded pork, or plant-based protein for dietary adaptations while maintaining recipe’s creamy essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg