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This creamy Crockpot Angel Chicken transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dinner with minimal effort. The tender chicken bathed in a luxurious cream cheese sauce will have your family thinking you spent hours in the kitchen rather than minutes setting up your slow cooker.
I started making this recipe when my children were toddlers and I needed something that could cook while I was managing chaos. Years later, it remains our comfort food celebration meal when someone has a big accomplishment to celebrate.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Offers protein that stays moist in the slow cooker
- Cream cheese: Creates the silky texture that makes this dish memorable
- Cream of mushroom soup: Provides depth without needing to make a roux
- Chicken broth: Adds savory flavor while thinning the sauce perfectly
- Dry white wine: Brings subtle acidity that balances the richness
- Italian dressing mix: Contains the perfect blend of herbs and seasonings
- Garlic powder: Infuses the sauce with warmth without overpowering
- Black pepper: Adds just enough heat to wake up your taste buds
- Angel hair pasta: Cooks quickly and catches the sauce beautifully
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce:
- Combine softened cream cheese with cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, white wine, Italian dressing mix, garlic powder, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk until completely smooth with no cream cheese lumps remaining. The mixture should have a pourable consistency but still be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Taking time to blend thoroughly now prevents lumps in your final sauce.
- Arrange the Chicken:
- Place your chicken breasts in a single layer across the bottom of your crockpot. Avoid overlapping them as this can lead to uneven cooking. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, consider butterfly cutting them or using a meat mallet to create more uniform thickness. Pour your prepared sauce evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is completely covered.
- Slow Cook to Perfection:
- Cover your crockpot with the lid and set to low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F and can be easily pulled apart with a fork. Avoid the temptation to lift the lid during cooking as this releases heat and extends cooking time.
- Serve with Style:
- Once finished, you can either leave the chicken breasts whole or shred them into the sauce depending on your preference. Cook your angel hair pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and portion onto plates. Spoon generous amounts of chicken and sauce over the pasta and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and brightness.
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The Italian dressing mix is truly the magic ingredient here. I discovered this by accident when I ran out of my usual herbs and grabbed a packet from the pantry in desperation. The blend of herbs and seasoning in these packets creates layers of flavor that would require a dozen individual spices to recreate.
Make-Ahead Magic
This dish actually improves when made a day in advance. The flavors meld together overnight, creating an even more cohesive and flavorful result. Simply refrigerate the cooked chicken and sauce separately from the pasta, then gently reheat the chicken mixture in a saucepan before serving over freshly cooked pasta.
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Simple Substitutions
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. No cream of mushroom soup? Cream of chicken works perfectly. Watching dairy intake? Low-fat cream cheese creates a lighter but still delicious sauce. For a completely alcohol-free version, simply replace the white wine with additional chicken broth and add a teaspoon of lemon juice to maintain the slight acidity. Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can be added during cooking for extra flavor dimensions.
Entertaining Elegance
While this is primarily a family dinner recipe, I've served this at dinner parties to rave reviews. For entertaining, I transfer the finished dish to a beautiful casserole dish, top with toasted panko breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan, and place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until golden. Served alongside a simple green salad and crusty bread, it's impressively delicious without being fussy.
The History Behind The Name
Angel hair pasta paired with this heavenly cream sauce is how this dish earned its "Angel Chicken" title. The name dates back to American home cooking in the 1980s and 1990s when cream cheese-based slow cooker recipes gained popularity. While not authentically Italian, this American classic celebrates the convenience cooking revolution that helped busy families put delicious meals on the table with minimal active cooking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I substitute white wine in the sauce?
Yes, you can swap the white wine with additional chicken broth for a non-alcoholic option. The dish will still be flavorful.
- → How can I make the sauce thicker?
To thicken the sauce, let it cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes after removing the chicken from the crockpot.
- → Can I use other types of pasta?
Yes, you can substitute angel hair pasta with spaghetti, fettuccine, or any other pasta of your choice.
- → What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup, you can use cream of chicken soup or a homemade cream-based sauce.
- → Can I cook this on the stovetop instead?
Yes, you can cook this dish on the stovetop by simmering the chicken in the prepared sauce over low-medium heat until fully cooked.