Oh my gosh, you have to try this Easy CrockPot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe – it’s my go-to when I want something delicious but don’t feel like slaving over the stove. Seriously, it’s so simple it almost feels like cheating! Just toss in some chicken, sauce, and spices, let the crockpot work its magic, and before you know it, you’ve got a creamy, cheesy, totally comforting pasta dish. The best part? The flavors meld together so beautifully while it slow cooks. Trust me, your family won’t believe it only took you minutes to prep. This is the kind of meal that makes busy days feel a little less crazy.
Why You’ll Love This Easy CrockPot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Let me tell you why this recipe has become my weeknight superhero:
- Set it and forget it – Dump everything in the crockpot and walk away (seriously, that’s it!)
- Kid-approved magic – The cheesy, saucy goodness makes even picky eaters clean their plates
- Flavor that tastes like you fussed – Slow cooking blends all those yummy flavors together perfectly
- Busy-day lifesaver – Comes together with about 10 minutes of actual work (I’ve timed it!)
Honestly, I make this at least twice a month because it’s just that reliable and delicious.
Ingredients for Easy CrockPot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this ridiculously simple dish – I promise your pantry probably has most of it already!
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – fresh or frozen (yes, frozen works too!)
- 1 (16 oz) box spaghetti noodles – regular or whole wheat, your choice
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce – use your favorite brand
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies – adds the perfect little kick
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder & 1 teaspoon onion powder – my flavor secret weapons
- 1/2 teaspoon each salt & black pepper – adjust to your taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella – the melty, gooey goodness
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan – for that extra flavor punch
See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s get cooking.
Equipment You’ll Need
Grab these trusty kitchen tools – chances are you’ve got ’em all already:
- 6-quart crockpot – the star of the show
- Measuring spoons – for those perfect spice amounts
- Two forks – my favorite chicken-shredding method
- Colander – for draining those noodles
- Wooden spoon – for mixing everything together
That’s it! No fancy gadgets required for this easy recipe.
How to Make Easy CrockPot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Okay, let’s dive into the magic! This is seriously one of those “too easy to be this good” recipes. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious meal with minimal effort.
Step 1: Slow Cook the Chicken
First, grab your chicken breasts (no need to thaw if they’re frozen!) and plop them right into your crockpot. I like to nestle them in there like little chicken islands. Pour over your marinara sauce and that can of diced tomatoes with green chilies – oh, that little kick is everything! Sprinkle in your garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a quick stir around the chicken just to mix those flavors together.
Now comes the best part – put the lid on and walk away! Cook on low for 6-7 hours if you’ve got time (this makes the chicken extra tender), or on high for 3-4 hours if you’re in a rush. Your house is going to smell amazing!
Step 2: Shred and Combine
When your chicken is cooked through (it should shred easily with a fork), take it out and shred it right there on your cutting board. I use two forks – one to hold and one to pull. So satisfying! Meanwhile, cook your spaghetti noodles just until al dente (about 1 minute less than the package says – trust me, they’ll keep cooking in the crockpot). Drain them really well – no one wants watery spaghetti!
Toss the shredded chicken back into the crockpot with all that saucy goodness, add your drained noodles, and stir gently to combine. Now shower it with that glorious mozzarella and Parmesan. Oh yes, we’re making it cheesy!
Step 3: Final Melt
Pop the lid back on and let it cook for just 15-20 more minutes – just enough time for the cheeses to get all melty and amazing. Don’t walk away too long here – we’re not trying to cook the noodles more, just warming everything through and melting that cheese. If you leave it too long, the noodles can get mushy (and nobody wants that!).
Give it one final gentle stir to distribute all that cheesy goodness, then serve it up hot. Watch how fast it disappears – I’m warning you!
Tips for the Best Easy CrockPot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
After making this dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that take it from good to “oh wow!” status:
- Rotisserie chicken shortcut – Skip the slow cooking step entirely by using pre-cooked chicken (just stir it in with the noodles!)
- Spice it your way – Add red pepper flakes for heat or Italian seasoning for extra herby flavor
- Noodle perfection – Undercook your pasta slightly and drain VERY well to avoid mushiness
- Cheese lover’s trick – Reserve some cheese to sprinkle on top right before serving for that gorgeous melted look
Little tweaks make this recipe endlessly adaptable to your taste!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your taste or what’s in your pantry! Here are some of my go-to swaps:
- Gluten-free? Use your favorite GF spaghetti – the texture holds up great in the crockpot
- Extra veggies: Toss in sliced mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers with the chicken
- Cheese options: Try cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even cream cheese for extra richness
- Protein swap: Ground turkey or Italian sausage work beautifully too
- Spice lovers: Add a dash of cayenne or extra green chilies for more heat
See? Endless ways to make it your own!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, let me tell you how I love to serve this comforting dish! A simple garlic bread is perfect for sopping up that yummy sauce, or toss together a crisp green salad for something fresh. My kids always beg for extra Parmesan on top – and who am I to say no?
Storing and Reheating
Here’s how I keep leftovers tasting just as good as the first day (because let’s be real – this makes fantastic leftovers!):
- Airtight is right – Store in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently – Microwave in 30-second bursts with a splash of water to keep it moist
- Stovetop magic – Warm slowly in a pan with a little extra sauce to revive the texture
Pro tip: The noodles will soak up sauce overnight, so add a spoonful of water when reheating!
Nutrition Information
Just a heads up – these nutrition estimates can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. Like any good home cook, I recommend focusing on deliciousness first and using this as a general guide!
FAQ About Easy CrockPot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
I get asked these questions all the time about my go-to chicken spaghetti recipe – here’s everything you need to know!
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! This dish freezes beautifully. Just portion it into airtight containers (I like using freezer bags laid flat) and it’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
You bet! About 1 1/2 cups diced fresh tomatoes works great. Just add a splash of tomato paste too since fresh tomatoes aren’t as concentrated in flavor. And don’t forget to include some diced jalapeños if you want that green chili kick!
Why cook the noodles separately?
I learned this the hard way – pasta cooked directly in the crockpot turns into mush! Cooking them al dente separately means they keep perfect texture when combined with all that saucy goodness.
Can I make this ahead?
Totally! Assemble everything except the noodles up to a day in advance. When ready to serve, just cook the pasta fresh and stir it in with the chicken and sauce.
What if my sauce seems too thick?
No worries! Just stir in a splash of chicken broth or pasta water when combining everything. The noodles will soak up some liquid as they sit anyway.
I’d love to hear how your chicken spaghetti turned out! Did you add any special twists? Tell me all about it in the comments below – your tips might help other home cooks too!
PrintHeavenly 7-Hour CrockPot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
A simple and delicious crockpot chicken spaghetti recipe that you can prepare with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 6 hrs
- Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (16 oz) box spaghetti noodles
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Add marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken and shred it with two forks.
- Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions, drain, and add to the crockpot.
- Mix in shredded chicken and cheeses.
- Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until cheeses melt.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.
- Adjust spices to your taste.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
