Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo is the ultimate comfort meal. It’s creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, thanks to the magic of the slow cooker. This recipe takes all the rich and comforting flavors of classic Alfredo and transforms it into a set-it-and-forget-it dish, perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends. Plus, it’s gluten-free and can easily be customized to suit your taste or dietary preferences.

Serve with Cheesy Garlic Bread, a big Italian Garden Salad or even Garlic Roasted Broccoli for a complete meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 lb chicken thighs
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
4 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese, freshly grated
12 ounces penne pasta (If using gluten-free pasta, I recommend Barilla made with rice and corn for the best texture and results)
Fresh parsley for garnish

How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

Prepare the Ingredients: In a large slow cooker, combine the chicken thighs, cream cheese, cubed butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream.
Cook the Chicken: Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
Add the Pasta and Cheese: Stir in the (gluten-free) pasta and parmesan cheese. Cook on high for 35-40 minutes for regular pasta, or if using gluten free pasta, cook for only 9-10 more minutes until the pasta is fully cooked. Over cooking gluten free pasta will cause it to disintegrate and get mushy.
Serve and Garnish: Once the pasta is tender, top with freshly grated parmesan and chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Chicken Alfredo

Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Juiciness: Chicken thighs are more forgiving in the slow cooker and remain juicy and tender, unlike chicken breasts, which can sometimes dry out.
Cooking Time for Pasta: Keep an eye on the pasta as it cooks in the slow cooker, as gluten-free pasta will cook more quickly than traditional pasta. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. I recommend Barilla Gluten Free Penne, made with rice and corn for the best texture and results for gluten free option. If using regular pasta, any brand works.
Pre-Cooking Pasta Option: If you’re tight on time or worried about the pasta cooking unevenly, pre-cook the pasta and refrigerate it with a little oil to prevent sticking. You can add the pre-cooked pasta to the slow cooker just before serving to warm it up and integrate it into the sauce. This also works well if you plan to use gluten free for some, and not for others.
For Thicker Sauce: If you prefer a thicker Alfredo sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth or let the sauce simmer uncovered for the last 30 minutes to allow it to thicken.
Add Veggies: Add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli during the last 30-40 minutes of cooking for a more nutritious twist. The vegetables will cook along with the pasta, adding extra flavor and texture to the dish.

Variations & Substitutions

Protein Options: You can swap the chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer. Other great options include shrimp, sausage, or even a combination of both for a seafood twist. Of course both sausage and shrimp will cook far faster, so adjust accordingly.
Low-Carb Substitute: Replace the gluten-free pasta with zoodles (zucchini noodles) or spaghetti squash for a low-carb, keto-friendly variation. Cook for the 35 minute time frame, and longer if needed.
Spice It Up: Add some red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for a touch of heat, or stir in some pesto for extra depth and flavor.

Gluten-Free Options

This recipe is already gluten-free, using gluten-free pasta in place of traditional pasta. Be sure to double-check the labels on all your ingredients, especially the chicken broth and cream cheese, to ensure they don’t contain hidden gluten. Brands like Barilla and Banza offer excellent gluten-free pasta options that hold up well in a slow cooker, but you have to be very vigilant to not over-cook.

To adjust for a non-gluten free option, cook longer, but do the rest the same.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

Garlic Bread: A side of garlic bread or breadsticks is perfect for sopping up the rich, creamy sauce. Make them gluten free if needed.
Simple Green Salad: A fresh salad with mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette provides a crisp, refreshing contrast to the creamy Alfredo.
Roasted Vegetables: Oven-roasted broccoli, asparagus, roasted carrots, or Brussels sprouts add a crunchy, flavorful side dish that complements the richness of the Alfredo sauce.
Sautéed Spinach: A quick sauté of spinach with garlic and olive oil makes for a healthy, easy-to-prepare side.

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo is the ultimate family-friendly meal that’s creamy, delicious, and adaptable. Whether you’re sticking with gluten-free options or adding your own creative flair, this slow cooker recipe is sure to become a weeknight staple. Pair it with some fresh veggies or gluten-free garlic bread for a complete, satisfying dinner that everyone will love!

Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo

A simple one pot meal for slow cooker chicken alfredo, with a gluten free noodle option that will make everyone happy. This dish is rich, creamy, and oh so tasty.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: chicken alfredo, slow cooker alfredo

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 3 30

Total Time: 3 40

Servings:

Calories: 1525kcal

Author: Rachael

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken thighs
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup unsalted butter cubed
5 garlic cloves minced
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
4 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese freshly grated
12 ounces pasta gluten-free or otherwise
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: In a large slow cooker, combine the chicken thighs, cream cheese, cubed butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream.
Cook the Chicken: Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
Add the Pasta and Cheese: Stir in the gluten-free pasta and parmesan cheese. Cook on high for 9-10 minutes if making gluten free pasta, and 35-40 minutes if using regular pasta, or until the pasta is fully cooked. See Note
Serve and Garnish: Once the pasta is tender, top with freshly grated parmesan and chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

I tested this recipe with 3 brands of gluten free pasta, made with different ingredients, the best texture and result was found using Barilla Penne (Gluten Free), which is made with corn and rice.

If you cook the gluten free pasta too long, it will start to break down and disintegrate, so either cook separately and stir in when serving, or pay close attention to the doneness so you do not end up with mushy pasta.

Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Juiciness: Chicken thighs are more forgiving in the slow cooker and remain juicy and tender, unlike chicken breasts, which can sometimes dry out.
Cooking Time for Pasta: Keep an eye on the pasta as it cooks in the slow cooker, as gluten-free pasta will cook more quickly than traditional pasta. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. I recommend Barilla Gluten Free Penne, made with rice and corn for the best texture and results for gluten free option. If using regular pasta, any brand works.
Pre-Cooking Pasta Option: If you’re tight on time or worried about the pasta cooking unevenly, pre-cook the pasta and refrigerate it with a little oil to prevent sticking. You can add the pre-cooked pasta to the slow cooker just before serving to warm it up and integrate it into the sauce. This also works well if you plan to use gluten free for some, and not for others.
For Thicker Sauce: If you prefer a thicker Alfredo sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth or let the sauce simmer uncovered for the last 30 minutes to allow it to thicken.
Add Veggies: Add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli during the last 30-40 minutes of cooking for a more nutritious twist. The vegetables will cook along with the pasta, adding extra flavor and texture to the dish.

Nutrition

Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo