This Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is comfort food at its absolute finest—creamy, cheesy, rich, and oh-so-easy to throw together. Whether it’s a weeknight family dinner or a potluck with friends, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser that practically cooks itself!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy & Cheesy: The luscious sauce soaks right into every bite thanks to both cream cheese and plenty of cheddar.
- Low-Fuss, Set-and-Forget: Let the crock pot do the heavy lifting while you go about your day—dinner is practically ready when you walk in the door!
- Family Approved: Kids and grownups alike can’t stop coming back for more of this classic cheesy chicken spaghetti combo.
- Great for Leftovers: The flavors only get better overnight, making it perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything you need for Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is simple, pantry-friendly, and works together brilliantly for creamy flavor-packed results! Each ingredient brings its own magic to the table—creamy, zesty, cheesy, and comforting in every forkful.
- Chicken Breasts: The backbone of this dish, they become tender and soak up all the creamy, cheesy flavors.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles: Adds moisture along with a tangy, lightly spicy twist that balances the richness.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Essential for a creamy, savory base—don’t skip for that classic comfort factor.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Lends earthiness and an extra depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the chicken.
- Onion (diced): A little sweetness and texture, melting right into the sauce as it slow-cooks.
- Minced Garlic: Boosts savory depth; those two teaspoons make all the difference!
- Italian Seasoning: Just a couple teaspoons bring gentle herbal notes throughout the dish.
- Cream Cheese (diced): The secret weapon for ultra-silky, creamy sauce.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melty, sharp, and impossibly cheesy—go for freshly grated if you can.
- Spaghetti (16 oz. package): Traditional for chicken spaghetti; holds the sauce beautifully and feeds a crowd.
Variations
It’s almost impossible to mess up Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, and there are tons of ways to make it entirely your own! Try some tweaks below to suit your tastes or dietary needs—or just to use up whatever you have on hand.
- Swap the Soup: Use all cream of chicken for a milder taste, or try cream of celery for a new flavor profile.
- Spice It Up: Add extra green chiles, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or swap in pepper jack cheese for extra kick.
- Low-Carb Version: Substitute spaghetti with cooked spiralized zucchini or palmini noodles for a lighter twist.
- Veggie Boost: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers just before serving for added nutrition and color.
How to Make Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Step 1: Layer the Crock Pot
Start by adding your chicken breasts, canned diced tomatoes with green chiles (don’t drain them!), both soups, diced onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning straight into your slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to make sure everything is nestled together—this is your flavor base!
Step 2: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover, then set your crock pot on high for 3–4 hours or low for 6–8 hours. By the end, the chicken will be so tender you can easily shred it with two forks—it almost falls apart on its own!
Step 3: Shred the Chicken & Add Cheese
Lift the chicken breasts out, shred them up, and stir the shredded chicken back into the sauce. Now add in the diced cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Stir, cover, and let everything melt together on low for another 20–30 minutes. Prepare yourself for cheesy, creamy goodness!
Step 4: Cook Spaghetti & Combine
While the cheese is melting, cook your spaghetti noodles in a separate pot according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain well so the sauce doesn’t get watered down, then stir the noodles right into the creamy chicken mixture in your crock pot.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
Give everything a big, gentle stir so the spaghetti gets perfectly coated in that rich, cheesy sauce. Spoon into bowls, top as you like, and get ready for the kind of dinner that makes the whole family happy.
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Always cook your spaghetti just to al dente before adding to the crock pot—this keeps it from becoming too soft or mushy once mixed with the sauce.
- Use Block Cheese for Extra Creaminess: Freshly grated cheddar melts so much better than pre-shredded and will give you a silkier sauce every time.
- Shred Chicken When Warm: Shred the chicken as soon as it’s done cooking—it’s much easier and will absorb maximum flavor from the sauce when returned to the pot.
- Let the Cheese Fully Melt: Don’t rush the last step—giving the cream cheese and cheddar those extra minutes to melt and combine makes the sauce ultra luscious and worth the wait!
How to Serve Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Garnishes
Top each bowl of Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti with a sprinkle of extra cheddar cheese, chopped fresh parsley, or thinly sliced green onions for a pop of color and freshness. A little cracked black pepper on top brightens up all those creamy flavors!
Side Dishes
This rich, cheesy pasta loves lighter, simple sides! Serve it with a crisp green salad, roasted broccoli, or even some garlic bread for dunking into all that luscious sauce—you can’t go wrong.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti in a big oven-safe dish and broil the top with a layer of extra cheese until bubbly. For parties, serve in ramekins or mini cocottes for individual portions—everyone loves their own cheesy bowl!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti keeps perfectly in a covered container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Simply scoop and reheat right before you’re ready to enjoy again!
Freezing
If you want to freeze, portion the cooled spaghetti into airtight containers. It’ll keep for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the perfect texture.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of milk or chicken broth to revive the creamy texture. Stir well and heat just until warmed through—gooey, cheesy goodness will return!
FAQs
-
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Just skip the initial slow-cooking step. Shred the rotisserie chicken and add it during the cheese-melting stage—super convenient when you’re short on time.
-
Can I make Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare as usual, then store in the fridge. When ready to serve, gently reheat and add a splash of milk or broth to keep the sauce creamy.
-
What other cheeses work well in this recipe?
Feel free to swap or add Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a little pepper jack for extra spice—just make sure it’s a good melting cheese for best results.
-
How do I keep the spaghetti from sticking together?
Drain your pasta well and toss with a drizzle of olive oil before mixing with the sauce in the crock pot. This keeps noodles separate and the texture perfect.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, now’s the perfect time. It’s the coziest kind of meal—easy, delicious, and guaranteed to disappear quickly from everyone’s plates. Give it a whirl and make it your new weeknight favorite!
Print
Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this comforting and flavorful Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, a hearty dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken, creamy cheeses, and aromatic seasonings come together in a slow cooker to create a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Mixture:
- 3 Chicken Breasts
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (10 oz.), not drained
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 Onion, diced
- 2 tsp Minced Garlic
- 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
For the Cheesy Finish:
- 4 oz cream cheese, diced
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pkg Spaghetti (16 oz.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Mixture: Add the chicken, diced tomatoes, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning to the crock pot.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the crock pot.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the cream cheese and grated cheddar cheese. Cover and cook on low for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and combined.
- Cook the Spaghetti: While the cheese is melting, cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package directions until al dente.
- Combine: Stir the spaghetti noodles into the crock pot mixture.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You can add cooked and crumbled bacon for extra flavor.
- Feel free to top with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for a pop of color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
