Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to creamy, tangy perfection in this easy, better-than-takeout dish. The golden, creamy sauce and juicy chicken will make your family beg for seconds. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Pasta and Roasted Strawberry Basil Ice Cream with a Lime Twist.
Why This Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Is Pure Comfort
- Easy, hands-off cooking in the slow cooker
- Creamy, tangy sun-dried tomato sauce
- Tender, juicy chicken that's better than takeout
- Comforting, hearty pasta that's perfect for cold nights
What You'll Need for Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- pasta
- sun-dried tomatoes
- heavy cream
- chicken broth
- garlic
- onion
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- red pepper flakes
- parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh basil
- Optional: grated parmesan cheese
- Optional: red pepper flakes
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Hands-off cooking for tender, juicy chicken and creamy sauce → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Easily blend the sauce right in the slow cooker for a smooth, creamy texture → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sear in a hot skillet until browned, then place in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until softened. Add to the slow cooker along with sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Remove chicken and shred, then blend the sauce until smooth. Stir in pasta and shredded chicken, then serve with desired toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken or it will become dry. If the chicken is done but the pasta isn't, remove the chicken and cook the pasta separately.
- Pro tip: For extra creaminess, stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water before blending the sauce.
- Pro tip: To make this dish even heartier, add some spinach or kale to the slow cooker along with the chicken broth.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick, easy meal.
Freezing Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick, easy meal.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth or water.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- pasta
- sun-dried tomatoes
- heavy cream
- chicken broth
- garlic
- onion
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Seasonings
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- red pepper flakes
- parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings
- fresh basil
- grated parmesan cheese
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sear in a hot skillet until browned, then place in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until softened. Add to the slow cooker along with sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Remove chicken and shred, then blend the sauce until smooth. Stir in pasta and shredded chicken, then serve with desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick, easy meal.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth or water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick, easy meal.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes FAQs
Yes, this dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick, easy meal. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Make sure to remove the chicken from the slow cooker as soon as it's done, and shred it before adding it back to the sauce.
Yes, you can make this dish in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then release the pressure naturally.
This dish is hearty and comforting on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions of this dish for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
