Description
Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked dish combining tender seasoned chicken, creamy Alfredo and tangy marinara sauces, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and melted cheeses, all tossed with perfectly cooked cavatappi pasta. This simple one-pot recipe is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty and delicious meal with minimal prep work.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 (15 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Pasta
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
Instructions
- Season chicken: Add the chicken breasts to a 6-quart slow cooker and season evenly with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add sauces: Pour the Alfredo sauce and marinara sauce over the seasoned chicken, ensuring the chicken is well coated.
- Cook chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred chicken and add cheese and spinach: Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker. Add the fresh spinach, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese on top. Cover again and cook for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the spinach to wilt.
- Prepare pasta: While the cheese is melting, cook the cavatappi pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine pasta and chicken mixture: Add the drained pasta to the slow cooker and gently toss to coat the pasta with the creamy sauce and chicken.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with additional parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta!
Notes
- Avoid overcooking your chicken by checking its internal temperature during the last hour of cooking. Chicken is safe at 165°F, so avoid cooking beyond that to prevent dryness.
- For best flavor and texture, cook this recipe low and slow, allowing the chicken to soak up the sauces fully.
- To intensify flavor, sear the seasoned chicken breasts in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side before adding to the slow cooker.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
