Description
Slow Cooker Rigatoni Chicken Alfredo is a comforting and creamy dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breast, rigatoni pasta, and a rich homemade Alfredo sauce. This easy slow cooker meal allows the flavors to meld beautifully while you go about your day, resulting in a deliciously indulgent pasta dish that feels like a warm hug in every bite.
Ingredients
Protein
- 2 to 2 ½ pounds boneless, skinless raw chicken breast tenders (or thin-sliced chicken breasts)
Dairy & Fats
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup butter, sliced (unsalted recommended)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Liquids
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth or stock (low sodium recommended)
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white or black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Pasta
- 1 pound uncooked rigatoni pasta
Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a large slow cooker. This will serve as the base protein for the dish.
- Add liquids and seasoning: Pour the heavy cream and chicken broth over the chicken. Add the butter slices, cubed cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder on top.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 hours, until chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
- Shred chicken and thicken sauce: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place on a plate. Whisk the sauce in the slow cooker to smooth out any lumps. Shred the chicken using two forks and add it back into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Add pasta and cheese: Stir in the uncooked rigatoni and grated Parmesan cheese, making sure the pasta is submerged in the sauce.
- Cook the pasta: Re-cover the slow cooker and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes until the rigatoni is tender and cooked through.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the creamy chicken rigatoni Alfredo hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- Using low sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness of the dish.
- For a thicker sauce, you can reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or cook the sauce uncovered for the last 10 minutes.
- If you prefer a richer Alfredo, add more Parmesan cheese to taste before serving.
- Fresh parsley garnish is optional but adds a nice color contrast and fresh taste.
- Ensure the rigatoni is fully submerged in the sauce to cook evenly.
- To reheat leftovers, warm gently on the stovetop adding a splash of cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
