↑

The Magical Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Recipes

  • Recipe Box
  • Buy my Digital Cookbook
  • About me
  • Contact Me
  • Free Slow Cooker Newsletter
    • Visit us on Pinterest
    • Visit us on Instagram
    • Visit us on Youtube
    • Visit us on Facebook
    • Visit us on Twitter

The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Dinner » Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta

by Sarah Olson on May 21, 2020 | Updated December 14, 2022 39 Comments

26003 shares
  • 14614
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
close up of southwestern cheesy chicken pasta in slow cooker
Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta images with text of what the ingredients are.
2 photo collage of southwestern cheese chicken pasta for pinterest

This Slow Cooker Southwestern Cheesy Chicken is a change on pasta in a fun way! The pasta has great flavor and texture, you’ll want to make this on pasta night every week!

Make pasta night easy with this shell pasta dish or try my Cajun Chicken Fettuccine.

close up of southwestern cheesy chicken pasta in slow cooker

This Slow Cooker Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta is a must save recipe. Just a few simple ingredients are thrown in the slow cooker in the morning, when ready to serve dinner, shred the chicken, and add cooked pasta, cheese, and sour cream.

How to make Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta:

  • Add Rotel, Mexicorn, olives, chili powder, oregano, cumin and salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir.
  • Add chicken breasts to that mixture.
corn, rotel, chicken and olives in slow cooker
  • After the slow cooker cooking time is up, cook a package of pasta on the stove top according to the package directions. Drain.
  • Shred the chicken in the slow cooker with 2 forks.
  • Add the drained pasta to the chicken and sauce.
  • Stir in cheese and sour cream.
Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta

This is the pasta I used for the recipe. Though the makers of this imported pasta would cringe about my dump and go southwestern recipe I used their pasta with, I really loved the texture of it, it’s a little thicker than normal pasta so you really can sink your teeth into it. I bought this pasta at Fred Meyer (same as Kroger).

serving shell pasta dish with chicken, cheese and green onion on top from a slow cooker.

How can I make this less spicy?

  • Use Mild Rotel if you can find it.
  • If you can’t find mild Rotel, use 2 small jars of mild salsa.

How to serve this:

  • Top with green onion and additional cheese if desired.
  • Serve a green salad and dressing along with this.
bowl of shell pasta with cheese and green onion on top.

More pasta recipes to try next:

  • Slow Cooker Feta Tomato Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

shell pasta dish with chicken, cheese and green onion on top, in slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta

4.69 from 16 votes
Chicken, veggies and pasta in a southwestern style sauce.
Print Pin Rate Share by Text
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 628kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 20 oz. Ro-tel (2 cans)
  • 11 oz. can Mexicorn (or a can of southwestern corn mix), drained
  • 3.8 oz. can olives, drained
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. cumin
  • 2 lbs. boneless skin-less chicken breasts
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 16 oz. sour cream
  • 1 lb. medium-sized shell pasta, cooked according to package directions, drained

For Serving

  • Additional shredded cheese
  • Sliced green onions
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Add the Rotel, Mexicorn, olives, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper and cumin to a 6-quart slow cooker, stir. Add the chicken into this mixture.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
  • Shred the chicken with 2 forks right in the slow cooker.
  • Stir in the cheese and sour cream, then stir in the cooked and drained pasta.
  • Serve each serving with a sprinkle of more cheese, and then a sprinkle of green onion.
  • Enjoy!
Prevent your screen from going dark

How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

How can I make this less spicy?
  • Use Mild Rotel if you can find it.
  • If you can’t find mild Rotel, use 2 small jars of mild salsa.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 628kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 808mg | Potassium: 877mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1020IU | Vitamin C: 11.6mg | Calcium: 323mg | Iron: 2.7mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!
    26003 shares
    • 14614

    Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Pasta

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      April 30, 2022 at 6:43 pm

      3 stars
      The chicken was great but as a whole it was pretty watery and the noodles didn’t mix super well with the shredded chicken mixture so it’s kinda like I’m eating delicious chicken with plain-ish noodles. I’d probably just make this sans noodles and use the chicken for something else or eat it on its own.

      Reply
    2. Jilly billy says

      July 30, 2021 at 8:53 pm

      3 stars
      I made this and it came out really wet with lots of juice. Wish there was a way to make it creamier. Maybe add corn starch at end of cooking? Or drain a lot of the juice before you add sour cream, cheese and noodles. I may drain it tomorrow and use the shredded chicken for enchiladas or tostadas because the chicken came out delicious

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        July 31, 2021 at 11:25 am

        Did you add the noodles? They soak up the juices.

        Reply
      • Chris says

        August 10, 2021 at 5:30 am

        Did you drain your corn and olives before adding?

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          August 10, 2021 at 6:36 am

          Yes.

    3. Lani says

      December 13, 2020 at 10:56 am

      Can the leftovers be put in the freezer?

      Reply
    4. Lisa says

      August 10, 2020 at 11:51 pm

      5 stars
      Super easy and very good. I didnt get it in the crackpot in time. So i cooked in oven. Family loved it

      Reply
      • ann says

        August 12, 2020 at 4:48 pm

        5 stars
        How long did you bake it in the oven.. 375F

        Reply
    5. Bob says

      June 8, 2020 at 6:57 pm

      4 stars
      Delicious, but not for anyone trying to lose weight. I was wondering if anyone had tried anything to make it spicier. I definitely think it needs more kick.

      Reply
      • Suzanne Fluker says

        June 16, 2020 at 11:27 am

        Bob, why don’t you use the hot Rotel, and add cayenne pepper…that should help.

        Reply
    6. Raul says

      May 25, 2020 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      Looks good, I will definitely try this one out.

      Reply
    7. Lynda Buchholz says

      November 12, 2019 at 5:14 am

      Rotel is a brand name like delmonte and it is frustrating when it is used in place of Mexican tomatoes. I have found some stores don’t carry the rotel brand so it would be much better to just say Mexican tomatoes.

      https://www.ro-tel.com/products

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        October 19, 2021 at 7:44 pm

        Ok Karen.

        Reply
    8. Teresa Gilmer says

      March 7, 2019 at 1:50 pm

      Have you ever made it in an instant pot? If so, can you share the cooking times? Water needed? THX!

      Reply
    9. Anonymous says

      August 16, 2018 at 4:50 pm

      We made this for dinner tonight and it is. PHENOMENAL!!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 19, 2018 at 8:23 am

        Thanks for coming back and commenting how you liked it, great to hear.

        Reply
    10. Anonymous says

      July 13, 2018 at 11:00 am

      Can I cook it for 4 hours on high?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        July 14, 2018 at 6:52 am

        Yes, should br fine.

        Reply
    11. Anonymous says

      June 19, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      Can this be made without the sour cream?? not a fan of creamy!!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Photo of Sarah Olson holding a slow cooker

    Hello! I'm Sarah

    Welcome to The Magical Slow Cooker. Let me help you find recipes for your slow cooker that you'll enjoy!
    • Visit us on Pinterest
    • Visit us on Instagram
    • Visit us on Youtube
    • Visit us on Facebook
    • Visit us on Twitter

    Slow Cooker St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

    done cooking rueben dip with crackers on the side.

    Slow Cooker Reuben Dip

    close up of guinness beef stew in slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

    tray of corned beef and cabbage in front of slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage

    Colcannon potatoes with green onions on top. With wooden spoon in them.

    Slow Cooker Colcannon Potatoes

    creamy corned beef and cabbage soup in slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

    cabbage and bacon in slow cooker with a wooden spoon

    Slow Cooker Cabbage

    Magical Cooker logo

    FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

    Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!

      Most Popular Recipes

      peanut butter cake with spoon in it.

      Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake {Crockpot}

      Close up of cajun chicken fettuccine in slow cooker.

      Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

      close up of baked spaghetti in slow cooker

      Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti {Million Dollar Spaghetti}

      close up of enchilada casserole

      Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

      close up photo of chicken, potatoes and green beans in slow cooker

      Seasoned Chicken, Potatoes and Green beans

      cooked bang bang chicken in slow cooker

      Slow Cooker Bang Bang Chicken

      Featured on:

      Featured in BuzzFeed, The Kitchen, Popsugar, 12 Tomatoes, yummly, Today, and Country Living
      smaller magical slow cooker logo

      FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

        Privacy Policy  Nutritional Disclosure

        The Magical Slow Cooker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
        Copyright ©2023, The Magical Slow Cooker. All Rights Reserved.
        Design by Pixel Me Designs