Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta
52 CommentsUpdated May 22, 2026
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This Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta recipe combines tender chicken, flavorful spices, and creamy sauce to create a dish that is sure to please the whole family.
Featured Comment
“I just made this chicken dish and was excellent. Thanks for the recipe”
– Ray
This southwestern pasta is a unique creation here at the magical slow cooker. The cool sour cream and Rotel sauce go amazingly with the pasta and chicken. It’s truly an excellent meal to come home to, for it’s almost ready to serve.
You may also like my Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce, or Chicken Pot Pie Pasta, which are both great for an Italian night.
The Magic Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that make this recipe special! Find the full recipe in the recipe card.
- Ro-Tel Tomatoes – Brings bold flavor with diced tomatoes and green chiles.
- Mexicorn – Adds sweet crunch with corn and peppers in one can.
- Chicken Breasts – Tender, juicy, and the perfect protein base.
- Sharp Cheddar – Melts into the sauce for rich, cheesy goodness.
- Sour Cream – Adds rich creaminess and blends the Tex-Mex flavors.
Tips and Tricks
Don’t be tempted to throw the pasta in without cooking it first—the slow cooker doesn’t get hot enough to cook it properly, and you’ll end up with chalky, mushy noodles.
This pasta has medium heat as written, but if you want it spicier, add a diced jalapeño or poblano pepper.
For the best melting, use freshly shredded cheese from a block instead of pre-shredded.
Reader Suggestion: Stir in a can of drained black beans for extra protein.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is a star on its own. Here are a few ways to make it better:
- This shredded chicken dish pairs perfectly with a light Caesar salad. Pair with warm garlic bread or crusty rolls to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro, fresh tomatoes, and sour cream.
- Often we just pile this pasta in bowls and eat alone! It’s a perfect rounded meal in one bowl!
How to Video
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
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.
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.
More pasta recipes to try next
Try Slow Cooker Feta Tomato Pasta for a creamy, tangy twist on pasta night, or go for classic comfort with Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel.
Craving restaurant flavors at home? Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta delivers just that. My Chicken Broccoli Pasta tastes just like panera’s soup! My Crockpot Chicken and Noodles is a vintage classic.
For something with a little kick, Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo hits the spot. You can also enjoy a cozy plate of Chicken Parmesan Pasta or a hearty helping of Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff.
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
Ok Karen.
Have you ever made it in an instant pot? If so, can you share the cooking times? Water needed? THX!
We made this for dinner tonight and it is. PHENOMENAL!!
Thanks for coming back and commenting how you liked it, great to hear.
Can I cook it for 4 hours on high?
Yes, should br fine.
Can this be made without the sour cream?? not a fan of creamy!!
My mom often said she was kept just as busy with life tasks after retirement and had no idea how she had gotten everything done while working full time . One of lifes mysteries she never solved.
So true
Love your recipes, please keep posting! I save them and eventually try almost all of them! Thanks so much! ♀️
Does chicken need to be cooked before putting in crockpot?
Nope! I do make sure the chicken is thawed though.
This sounds lovely. Going to give this a go. thanks for sharing this recipe.
Simon
I love the flavors in this pasta! Wishing I had some for dinner tonight!