If you’re looking for a fuss-free dinner that’s packed with flavor and makes the best comfort food, then you’re going to adore this Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe. It’s one of those meals that feels indulgent but actually takes just a bit of effort and a slow cooker to do the heavy lifting. I absolutely love how the chicken turns out so tender and the sauce is rich and cozy. Plus, the bacon adds that perfect smoky touch that my family goes crazy for every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you do other things.
- Comforting and Cozy: The combination of tender chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy pasta sauce hits the spot every time.
- Family Favorite: I’ve made this repeatedly because everyone, even picky eaters, can’t get enough of it.
- Flexible Ingredients: Easily adaptable with your favorite pasta shapes, bacon substitutes, and veggies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients in this Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe work together to build deep, satisfying flavors. Each component complements the other, creating a dish that’s hearty yet balanced. When shopping, aim for fresh veggies and good-quality spaghetti sauce to really boost the flavors.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: These cook perfectly tender in the slow cooker and shred easily.
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder: Basic seasonings that bring out the savory goodness.
- Dried thyme and oregano: They add a subtle herby note that makes the sauce more complex.
- Diced red onion: Adds a hint of sweetness and texture after slow cooking.
- Sliced mushrooms: Earthy and tender; they soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Bacon slices: Cooked before adding to the slow cooker, bacon brings smoky flavor and a bit of crispness.
- Spaghetti sauce: Two jars of your favorite marinara create the rich base of the dish.
- Parmesan cheese: Stirred in and sprinkled on top for cheesy, salty depth.
- Sliced baby spinach: Added at the end for freshness and a pop of green.
- Cooked bow-tie pasta: Bow ties hold onto the sauce really well, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape.
Variations
This Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe is super flexible, and I love tweaking it depending on my mood or what’s in my pantry. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!
- Bacon Alternatives: When I needed a lighter option, I swapped regular bacon for turkey bacon and honestly, it still tasted delicious with fewer calories.
- Vegetarian Version: Omitting bacon and adding more mushrooms or even roasted veggies can still make this a hearty meal.
- Pasta Swaps: I often use penne or fusilli instead of bow tie pasta, which makes the dish feel a little different but equally tasty.
- Extra Cheesy: Sometimes, I stir in a bit of cream cheese near the end for an ultra-creamy texture that feels indulgent.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Layer Your Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Start by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Then sprinkle the salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano evenly over the chicken. Next, add the diced red onion, sliced mushrooms, and cooked bacon right on top. Finally, pour the spaghetti sauce all over everything—it’s important to cover the ingredients well for even cooking. I like to avoid stirring at this point to keep the chicken at the bottom, ensuring it stays moist and tender.
Step 2: Cook on High for 4 Hours
Cover your slow cooker and let everything cook on HIGH for about 4 hours. This timing works great in my experience—it’s enough for the chicken to shred easily but not overcook. If you’re short on time, you can cook on LOW for 6-7 hours instead. Just keep an eye on it the first time you try to find the perfect timing that works with your slow cooker model.
Step 3: Shred, Add Cheese, Spinach & Pasta
Once the cooking time is up, shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker—it tears apart beautifully without drying out. Next, sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top, then add the baby spinach and the cooked, drained pasta. Give everything a good stir to combine all the flavors. The warmth from the cooked ingredients gently wilts the spinach and melts the cheese perfectly into the sauce.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
To finish, sprinkle additional parmesan cheese on top for that amazing cheesy crust right before you serve. This dish tastes great fresh off the spoon, and the leftovers are just as good the next day.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe
- Don’t Skip Pre-cooking the Bacon: Cooking the bacon separately ensures it crisps up and adds the smoky flavor without getting soggy in the slow cooker.
- Use Fresh Herbs When Possible: Although dried thyme and oregano work well, fresh herbs added near the end can brighten the flavor beautifully.
- Pasta Timing is Key: Always add cooked pasta at the end to prevent it from turning mushy during the long cook time.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Give the chicken enough space in the slow cooker to cook evenly; if the cooker’s too full, results may be uneven.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top this pasta with an extra sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese and a few torn basil leaves when I have them on hand. It just adds a lovely fresh punch and a little color to brighten up the plate. Sometimes a dash of crushed red pepper flakes gets things lively if you’re into a tiny kick!
Side Dishes
A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette pairs perfectly with the richness of the pasta. I also love serving it alongside garlic bread or warm dinner rolls for sopping up every bit of that yummy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve the pasta in individual small casserole dishes, topped with a crispy breadcrumb and parmesan mix then broiled for a few minutes to get that golden crust. It feels so cozy and restaurant-worthy, but still totally homey.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and they stay good for about 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so I find reheated leftovers taste even better!
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you separate the pasta from the saucy chicken mixture before freezing. I freeze the chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers, and the cooked pasta in another to keep textures from getting mushy when thawed.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. This keeps the pasta from drying out and brings back the creamy consistency.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken for this Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but I recommend checking the slow cooker’s manual for safety guidelines—some models allow cooking from frozen, while others do not. Cooking times may be longer when starting with frozen chicken to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature.
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Is it okay to use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While bow-tie pasta works wonderfully for holding sauce, you can substitute penne, fusilli, rotini, or any other pasta you prefer. Just make sure to cook it ahead and add it at the end to avoid mushiness.
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Can I make this recipe without bacon?
Of course! If you want to skip bacon, simply omit it or replace it with turkey bacon, vegan bacon, or smoked paprika to maintain some smoky flavor without the meat. The dish will still taste incredible.
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How long can leftovers be kept in the fridge?
Leftovers should remain safe to eat for 3 to 4 days when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Always reheat thoroughly before serving.
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Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
You bet! Feel free to add bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots in step 1 to add more texture and nutrition. Just keep in mind that some vegetables may soften more than others, so adjust timing accordingly.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe enough—it’s one of those reliable, delicious meals that saves the day on busy nights but feels like a special treat. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s become a staple in my household. So grab your slow cooker and give it a whirl—you’re going to love the comforting flavors and easy prep as much as I do. Trust me, this one’s a keeper!
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta is a comforting, hearty meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked with savory spices, mushrooms, red onion, and bacon in a rich spaghetti sauce, then combined with parmesan cheese, fresh baby spinach, and perfectly cooked bow-tie pasta. It’s an easy, flavorful dish that requires minimal hands-on time and delivers warm, satisfying flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Meat and Protein
- 1½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices cut bacon, cooked
Vegetables and Herbs
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups sliced baby spinach
- ½ tsp. dried thyme
- ½ tsp. dried oregano
Seasonings
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
Other Ingredients
- 46 oz. Spaghetti sauce (two 23-oz. jars)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for topping and serving
- 1 lb. cooked bow-tie pasta
Instructions
- Prepare and Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Season them evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Add the diced red onion, sliced mushrooms, and cooked bacon on top. Pour the entire spaghetti sauce over all the ingredients to coat them thoroughly.
- Slow Cook the Mixture: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set the temperature to HIGH. Cook the mixture for 4 hours undisturbed, allowing the chicken to become tender and absorb all the flavors from the sauce and seasonings.
- Shred and Combine: Once the cooking time is complete, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese and add the sliced baby spinach over the shredded chicken. Then add the cooked and drained bow-tie pasta. Gently stir everything together until all components are well combined and the spinach slightly wilts in the heat.
- Serve: Garnish with additional parmesan cheese on top if desired. Serve the slow cooker chicken bacon pasta warm for a cozy and filling meal.
Notes
- If you prefer a healthier alternative or need to avoid pork, substitute bacon with turkey bacon or vegan bacon options, or omit bacon entirely.
- While bow-tie pasta is suggested, feel free to use penne, fusilli, rotini, or other pasta shapes you like. Different pasta shapes provide varying textures and sauce coverage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
