Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
98 CommentsOct 02, 2026
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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken thighs, carrots, peas, and rotini in a buttery garlic sauce. The chicken and vegetables cook in the crockpot, then you stir in cooked pasta at the end for an easy family dinner.
Chicken pasta recipes are so versatile and if you’re looking to put together a complete meal plan, add my Pesto Chicken Pasta and Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta to your list.
Table of Contents
- Why This Recipe is a Keeper
- The Ingredients
- How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
- Tips and Variations
- Can I Cook the Pasta in the Slow Cooker?
- Should I Add Liquid to the Crockpot?
- How to Store and Reheat?
- Best Ways to Serve Slow Cooker Pasta
- More Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes
- Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
Featured Comment
"This was absolutely delicious! I make crockpot meals at work and this one was another hit for us at the office. I’ll make it for my family soon. Absolutely delicious."
- KURT
Why This Recipe is a Keeper
- One of the things you'll like most about this easy garlic butter chicken pasta is that it's a complete meal. Loaded with tender chicken, pasta, vegetables, and a homemade garlic butter sauce, you’ll barely have to lift a finger for dinner.
- This is a great meal to cook while you're not home; just add the cooked pasta and you're ready for dinner.
- It's a great meal for kids - it's got the buttery noodles they love, but also lots of protein and veggies.
- Want a version of this without pasta? Try my Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies.
The Ingredients
Chicken: I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this; they make the pasta taste extra buttery.
Butter Sauce: Butter, garlic, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper make for a great sauce for the slow cooker pasta.
Vegetables: Carrots and onions cook all day with the chicken. Stir in the peas at the end.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
- Place the thighs, carrots, onion, butter, and seasonings into the slow cooker.
- Cook until the chicken is ultra tender and shred.
- Add the cooked pasta and peas, stir and serve!
Tips and Variations
Less Butter: Reduce the butter slightly if you prefer, then add a splash of chicken broth at the end if the pasta needs more moisture.
Other Vegetables: You can add leeks, mushrooms, or green beans to this (add at the beginning of the cooking time).
Pasta Shape: This recipe is great with small pasta shapes like rotini; try bow-tie, penne, or wagon wheels for a change.
Chicken Swap: You can use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs, though you may need to add a touch more butter before serving.
Can I Cook the Pasta in the Slow Cooker?
No, this recipe was tested with the pasta cooked on the stovetop. Cooking it directly in the slow cooker can give it a chalky texture or cause it to fall apart, so cook it separately before adding it.
Should I Add Liquid to the Crockpot?
No additional liquid is needed. The butter melts, and the chicken and vegetables release liquid as they cook.
How to Store and Reheat?
Transfer the cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to prevent dryness.
Best Ways to Serve Slow Cooker Pasta
Here is how my family enjoys this meal:
We typically eat this as-is! Yes, no sides, since this has all you need in one bowl.
You can add sides such as a green salad or bread to round out the meal.
Another option is to skip the pasta and serve the garlic butter chicken over a bed of steamed rice.
More Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes
Chicken Parmesan Pasta and Slow Cooker Million Dollar Spaghetti are rich, cheesy dishes perfect for pasta lovers craving comfort food.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles is a cozy, old-fashioned favorite with tender chicken and thick egg noodles in a savory broth.
Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells and Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta both bring bold, Italian inspired flavors with melty cheese and herby sauces that make dinner feel special with little effort. Or serve my Slow Cooker 40 Clove Garlic Chicken over angel hair pasta.
If you tried this Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Happy Slow Cooking!
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into slices about ½ inch thick
- 1 white onion, diced
- ½ cup salted butter, cut into slices
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas, ADD AT THE END
- 1 lb. rotini pasta, cooked al dente, ADD AT THE END
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Add the chicken, garlic, onion, carrots, butter, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.
- When the cooking time is done, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Shred the chicken with two forks. Stir in the frozen peas and cooked, drained pasta. Cover until the peas are heated through, this will only take a few minutes.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve!
Sarah's Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Thanks for the recipe! I’m not a fan of raw meat but am learning! I always use chicken breast that are cleaned and ready to go. However, ive been seeing a lot of recipes that use bonless chicken thighs. Please tell more! Are they easy to work with and how is the meat different. I didn’t realize they had BONELESS which may work for me: Thanks
Hi Susan, I use boneless chicken thighs in place of boneless chicken breast. The only thing I do is cut off any fatty pieces off the edges, there is always a lot. The meat is very moist and tender, doesn’t dry out.
Thank you!
Can you sub rotisserie chicken? If so, how much cooking time do you need or adjust?
Can I use frozen chicken? I am excited to try this recipe!
I have not tried, though I think it should be fine.
Delicious. My second time to do it . Everything turned out perfecty . Thank you .
Could I use a bag of frozen stew vegetables and add at the beginning?
I don’t see why not!
Did you change the recipe recently? I thought it only cooked on low for 6 hours. Do you happen to have a link to the old recipe?
I cooked this again the other night, I felt the time could go longer than six hours because of the carrots. If you slice the carrots thinner, you can get away with 6. Nothing has been changed, just the time. If it works for you for 6 hours, go for it!
Could you sub olive oil for part of the butter? Trying to be dairy free for breastfeeding purposes :-/
I think that would work fine. Some chicken broth would work great too.
Thanks!
Chicken and I are not good friends since my gall bladder wad taken out.
Can turkey or pork be substituted for the chicken?
Either would be great!
Just curious to know how/why chicken would be an issue due to gall bladder removal since its whole purpose is the digestion of fats and chicken is about the leanest meat there is. I had my gall bladder removed just about a month ago and have had no issues thus far with any foods. I know I’m fortunate but just perplexed by the chicken issue.
Do you have receipts that are for 2-4 servings. Chicken mainly.
No, most are 6-8. I’m sorry!
I havent tried it yet, but don’t you need any liquid to start in the crockpot?
The butter and the juices that are made from the chicken is the liquid in this recipe.