Chicken breasts cook down in a creamy broth with plenty of fresh spinach for this crockpot chicken and spinach pasta, the greens wilting right into the sauce. A cup of heavy cream and some diced onion give it body before the pasta goes in.
Easy Crockpot Chicken and Spinach Pasta
In this recipe, chicken breasts are slow-cooked with spinach, garlic, and cream, then tossed with pasta for a comforting dish. The preparation is minimal, and it serves about 6 people, making it ideal for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 3 cups pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Add Vegetables: Layer the chopped spinach, diced onion, and minced garlic over the chicken.
- Pour in Liquids: Add the chicken broth and heavy cream to the crockpot, ensuring the chicken is covered.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Cook Pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine: Once the chicken is done, shred it in the crockpot using two forks. Stir in the cooked pasta and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 6 servings
- Calories: 450kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
I stir the cooked pasta in at the end so it stays firm and coats evenly in the sauce. A little Parmesan and cracked pepper on top is all it needs before it hits the table.
