This Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne has features of mac and cheese but with chicken added too! A great meal to come home to that the entire family will enjoy.
Why This Recipe Works
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Anytime you can prepare a “one-pot” meal that takes minimal ingredients and still yields a delicious flavor is a winner in my book. This is one of those busy night meals because the prep time is short, and the cooking time is reasonable.
You can start it, continue your day and finish up minutes before serving. This cheesy chicken penne is an excellent idea for any time of year and is sure to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients:
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are the perfect size and yield quite a bit when shredded at the time.
- Cream of chicken soup: You’ll use two cans without adding water; you can use mushroom soup if that is what you have on hand.
- Chicken broth: Or chicken stock helps create the cream sauce texture.
- Seasonings: Pepper and dried leaf tarragon; you can substitute oregano or Italian seasoning.
- Mushrooms: These will be sliced. I know many kids (and adults) don’t like mushrooms; you can leave them out and add additional broth, for they do add moisture to the recipe.
- Onion: Sweet yellow onion is diced and aads a nice flavor.
- Sour cream: Added toward the end to help provide a creamy texture.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: You sharp cheddar or medium cheddar, depending on your preferences.
- Penne pasta: You’ll cook this according to the package directions on the stove. I also use penne pasta in my Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Add the cream of chicken soup to the slow cooker with the chicken broth.
Step Two – Mix until smooth.
Step Three: Add the mushrooms, diced onion, tarragon, and pepper and mix again.
Step Four – Place the chicken breast on top of that. Cook on LOW for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
Step Five – Just before the cooking time is up, boil your water, then cook the pasta to Al Dente.
Step Six – Shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker.
Step Seven: Add the sour cream, half the cheese, and the cooked and drained pasta.
Step Eight – Stir.
Step Nine – Sprinkle over the remaining cheese.
Step Ten – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
How to Serve
- This slow cooker meal can be served as-is because it provides plenty of heartiness with the pasta, chicken, and cheese.
- You can also serve it with garlic bread or another bread of your choice.
- This pasta also pairs well with a small side salad or another green vegetable, such as steamed broccoli.
- As for toppings, you can’t go wrong with adding extra shredded cheese or going for some shredded parmesan cheese.
Recipe FAQs
Rotini pasta is another go-to pasta that can be used to substitute the penne pasta. If anything, use whatever you have in your pantry. Egg noodles can be used, though you have to be EXTRA careful not to overcook.
Since sour cream doesn’t freeze very well, this is a recipe that you’ll want to freeze in parts and then cook it according to the directions. You can combine everything up until the sour cream, freeze, and then defrost and cook according to the directions.
Any leftover pasta can be put into an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.
You could always add more vegetables such as peas, corn, broccoli, bell peppers, green chiles, and the like.
You can use Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, or even dried basil! Make the dish your own with your favorite spices.
Heaven on a plate! Plenty of sauce to coat all the noodles. I highly recommend this meal for an easy weeknight meal.
More pasta recipes:
- Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Fettucine
- Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
- Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Mozzarella
- Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti
- Chicken Spaghetti (recipe from Southern Bite)
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tetrazzini
- Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce (add your favorite pasta shape!)
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Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 21 oz cream of chicken soup (two-10.5 oz cans) Don't add water
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. dried leaf tarragon can substitute oregano, thyme or Italian seasoning here.
- 1 ½ cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 small sweet yellow onion diced
Add at the end
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 lb. penne pasta cooked according to package directions on the stove-top
Instructions:
- Add the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth to the slow cooker, stir until smooth.
- Add the tarragon, pepper, mushrooms and onions, stir.
- Add the chicken breasts.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- After the cooking time is up, start cooking the pasta according to the package directions to Al dente on the stove-top, do not over cook!
- Shred the chicken with 2 forks.
- Add sour cream and half of the cheese, stir.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta and stir again.
- Sprinkle over remaining cheese. Cover the slow cooker and cook for an additional 20 minutes on low.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Video:
Sarah’s Notes:
- If you have extra picky eaters and want to omit the mushrooms and onions add an additional 1/2 cup of broth. This will replace the moisture from the mushrooms and onions.
- You could always add more vegetables such as peas, corn, broccoli, bell peppers, green chiles and the like.
- Any pasta can be used. Though if you use egg noodles, be extra careful not to overcook, they tend to break apart easily.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Anonymous says
I made this for a potluck, it was tasty!
Sarah Olson says
great to hear!
Anonymous says
Can you use cream of mushroom as well ……
Sarah Olson says
yes, I think that it would work fine!
mike says
Can I substitute water for the chicken broth? I don’t currently have any broth. Or could I just forego the broth? Would it just make it thicker, or cause other issues? Thanks!
Sarah Olson says
I think that would work fine.
Alison says
I don’t have 6 hours to make it. Is it okay if I cook it on high for half the time?
Sarah Olson says
4 hours on high should be fine.
Alison says
Thank you!
Dee says
I think I’m going to use boneless chicken thighs that should work
Sarah Olson says
Yes, I love chicken thighs in the slow cooker
Michelle says
Can I cook this on high for 4 hours instead? Started it a little late and don’t want to be eating at bedtime.
Sarah Olson says
I think it will be fine!
Lisa Cunningham says
I made this for the first time. We loved it. I had thawed a 3 pound package of chicken breasts so I used it all. I added a third can of soup for added sauce. Otherwise, I followed the recipe. Will definitely make again.
Vicki says
First time I made it we all loved it so I’m making it again but this time I brought cream chicken and corn soup. (Really need to take my glasses when shopping now) I hope it will taste ok.
Emily says
If I cook this for 8 hours, will it burn? I have to go to work & cant turn it off after 6
Sarah Olson says
I don’t think it will burn! Should be fine.
Donna Soares Burt says
Buy a timer you can set & plug the crock pot into the timer so it will turn itself off.
KLP says
How many cups is considered a serving? 1 cup?
Margaret Swan says
Can use rotisserie chicken and just reduce cooking time? Would you also reduce other ingredients?
Kim says
It was delicious! My family enjoyed it. I didnt add mushrooms but it was good without it. The chicken was tender and the flavor was good. I added italian seasoning and poultry seasoning and it gave it a good flavor. It’s def going in my recipes list. Thank you for sharing this recipe.