Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This dish combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, cheesy sauce and perfectly cooked penne pasta, all made conveniently in your slow cooker. The cream of chicken soup and chicken broth create a creamy base, while the tarragon and cheddar cheese add layers of flavor. Once the chicken has cooked and is shredded, sour cream and more cheese are stirred in for extra creaminess, making this meal an instant hit for the whole family. Top it with extra cheese for a gooey finish before serving. Perfect when paired with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cozy family dinners or busy weeknights. With tender chicken, a creamy cheesy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish is sure to satisfy everyone at the table. The best part? It’s made entirely in the slow cooker, making it an easy and hands-off meal to prepare.
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that bring this delicious dish together.
INGREDIENTS
- Chicken Breasts: 1 ½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used as the base for this recipe. They cook slowly in the sauce, becoming tender and juicy.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Two 10.5 oz cans of cream of chicken soup create a rich and creamy base for the sauce. No additional water is needed.
- Chicken Broth: ½ cup of chicken broth helps thin the sauce slightly and adds extra flavor.
- Tarragon: ½ teaspoon of dried leaf tarragon provides a subtle herbaceous note that complements the creamy sauce. You can also use oregano, thyme, or Italian seasoning as a substitute.
- Mushrooms: 1 ½ cups of sliced mushrooms add an earthy flavor to the dish, balancing out the richness of the sauce.
- Onion: One small sweet yellow onion, diced, adds a mild sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- Sour Cream: 1 cup of sour cream is stirred in at the end to make the sauce even creamier.
- Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese provide the cheesy goodness that makes this dish irresistible. Half of the cheese is stirred into the sauce, and the rest is sprinkled on top before serving.
- Penne Pasta: 1 pound of penne pasta is cooked separately and added to the dish at the end, absorbing all the creamy, cheesy flavors.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
- Add two 10.5 oz cans of cream of chicken soup and 1/2 cup of chicken broth to the slow cooker. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Step 2: Add the Seasonings and Chicken
- Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of dried tarragon (or your choice of oregano, thyme, or Italian seasoning) and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Then, add 1 1/2 cups of sliced mushrooms and 1 small diced sweet yellow onion. Place the 1 ½ pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts into the slow cooker, making sure they are submerged in the sauce mixture.
- Step 3: Cook the Chicken
- Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on LOW for 6 hours without lifting the lid during the cooking time. This ensures the chicken becomes tender and flavorful as it slowly cooks in the creamy sauce.
- Step 4: Cook the Pasta
- Once the chicken has cooked for 6 hours, start cooking 1 pound of penne pasta according to the package directions on the stove-top. Cook the pasta to al dente, being careful not to overcook it.
- Step 5: Shred the Chicken
- After the pasta is cooking, use two forks to shred the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. The chicken should be tender and easy to pull apart.
- Step 6: Add the Cheese and Sour Cream
- Stir in 1 cup of sour cream and half of the 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese into the slow cooker, mixing until well combined and creamy.
- Step 7: Combine and Finish
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the slow cooker, stirring to coat the pasta in the cheesy chicken sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta and chicken mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook for an additional 20 minutes on low to allow the cheese to melt.
- Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
- Once the cheese has melted and the dish is heated through, serve the Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne hot. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish!
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serve the Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne hot, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or basil if desired. It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove-top, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk if needed to loosen the sauce.
- For freezing, place the cooled chicken penne in an airtight container or freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a skillet or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Helpful Notes
- To add extra flavor, consider sautéing the onions and mushrooms in a little olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker. This will deepen their flavor and enhance the overall dish.
- Feel free to swap out the cheddar cheese for other varieties, such as Monterey Jack or mozzarella, for a slightly different flavor profile.
- If you don’t have penne pasta, you can substitute with other pasta shapes like rotini or farfalle—just be sure to cook them to al dente to avoid overcooking in the slow cooker.
Tips from well-known chefs
- Bobby Flay: To give the dish an added smoky flavor, try using smoked cheddar or adding a dash of smoked paprika to the cheese sauce.
- Rachael Ray: For a creamier sauce, stir in a little cream cheese or mascarpone when adding the sour cream to give it an extra rich texture.
- Ina Garten: Don't be afraid to use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to elevate the dish’s flavor and give it a more refined taste.