This family-favorite easy slow cooker Italian chicken pasta recipe is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor —with minimal effort. Using both marinara and alfredo sauces gives it a rich, irresistible taste, and the slow cooker does most of the work for you. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends at home!
My slow cooker is my best friend during the week, especially if it’s a day where we have a lot of things going on (which, let’s face it, is most days!). This Easy Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Pasta is the kind of meal that feels like you put in way more effort than you actually did. It’s creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor, and thanks to the magic of jarred pasta sauces and a slow cooker, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, prepping ahead for a busy evening, or just craving something cozy, this recipe checks all the boxes.
To make this slow cooker Italian chicken pasta, just toss seasoned chicken breasts into your slow cooker along with jarred marinara and alfredo sauces and a few spices. The sauces meld together as the chicken cooks until it’s fall-apart tender. Once it’s ready, you’ll cook up some bow tie pasta, shred the chicken, and stir everything together with gooey mozzarella and tangy parmesan cheese. It’s creamy, rich, and so satisfying—with hardly any hands-on time.
Why You’ll Love This Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe
- This slow cooker pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights
- This pasta dish is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor.
- The recipe doesn’t require any fancy ingredients or extra steps (hello, jarred pasta sauce!)
- This is a freezer-friendly recipe – you can make a double batch and freeze one for another day!
- It’s made in the slow cooker, which means minimal mess and minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients For This Pasta Recipe with Chicken
1 (24 oz.) jar marinara sauce
1 (24 oz.) jar alfredo sauce
3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
8 oz. bow tie pasta
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
How to Make This Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray.
Step 2: Add marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, chicken breasts, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Step 4: About 15 minutes before serving, cook bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain.
Step 5: Shred the chicken inside the slow cooker using two forks.
Step 6: Add the cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until combined and melty.
Step 7: Serve warm, with extra cheese if desired!
What to Serve/Pair with Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Pasta
Like with most pasta dishes, I like to serve this meal with salad and breadsticks. My go-to is a classic salad with Italian dressing and these easy parmesan breadsticks. They’re super tasty when you dip them in the pasta sauce! You can also serve this pasta with a green veggie, like broccoli or green beans.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
Feel free to use homemade pasta sauce in place of the jarred sauce. I just like the ease of using store bought sauce!
Bow tie pasta is my favorite, but you can use any of your favorite pastas! You can even use chickpea or veggie pasta.
Add spinach, mushrooms, or chopped bell peppers for extra veggies.
Storing Leftover Italian Chicken Pasta
Leftovers of this creamy Italian chicken pasta are just as delicious the next day—maybe even better! Let the pasta cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen up the sauce if needed. For longer storage, freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken in this slow cooker pasta recipe?
Yes, but it’s safest to thaw it first to ensure even cooking in the slow cooker.
Can I cook the pasta in the slow cooker?
It’s best to cook it separately. Pasta tends to get mushy if left too long in the slow cooker.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Let it cool, then store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. I like to double the recipe and freeze half of it to have an easy dinner on hand during a busy week.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Cook everything up to the point of adding the pasta, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat and stir in freshly cooked pasta and cheese.
Other Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Don’t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Easy Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe Turned Out!
Easy Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 24 oz. jar marinara sauce
- 1 24 oz. jar alfredo sauce
- 3-4 chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
- 8 oz. bow tie pasta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Spray inside of crock pot with nonstick spray.
- Add marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, chicken breasts, onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Mix to combine.
- Cover and set crock pot on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Fifteen minutes before serving, cook pasta according to package directions until al-denta. Drain.
- Shred chicken and add cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine well. Serve warm with more shredded cheese. Enjoy.
