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This Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti recipe is a fantastic solution for a healthy and delicious weeknight dinner that the whole family will love. It's incredibly easy to prepare, cooks in your slow cooker for ultimate convenience, and features a lighter sauce without sacrificing flavor. With tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and a touch of cheese, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Gathering Your Ingredients
- Skinless Chicken Thighs (Bone-In or Boneless): Provides a tender and flavorful protein source. Chicken thighs are more flavorful than chicken breasts and remain moist during slow cooking.
- Diced Carrot, Celery, and Onion: Adds a variety of vegetables that enhance the flavor and nutritional value of the dish.
- Minced Garlic: Provides a savory depth to the sauce.
- Tomato Sauce: Forms the base of the sauce, adding acidity and richness.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and enhances the flavor of the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning, Salt, and Ground Black Pepper: These spices create a flavorful seasoning blend.
- Spaghetti (Regular, Whole Wheat, or Gluten-Free): Adds a comforting and familiar element to the dish.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, savory note.
- Finely Chopped Fresh Herbs (Parsley, Dill, or Basil): Adds a fresh, vibrant touch.
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Cooking Instructions
- Combining Ingredients in the Slow Cooker:
- In your slow cooker, combine the diced carrots, celery, onion, minced garlic, tomato sauce, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Adding the Chicken:
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, ensuring they are covered by the sauce. This helps the chicken cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Cooking the Chicken:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The long cooking time allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Shredding the Chicken:
- Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks, discarding any bones if necessary. Set the slow cooker to high heat and add the shredded chicken back in.
- Cooking the Noodles:
- Break the spaghetti noodles in half and stir them into the slow cooker. Cover and cook for 30 minutes (less for gluten-free spaghetti), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Garnishing and Serving:
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and finely chopped fresh herbs, stir, and serve hot.
This crockpot chicken spaghetti has become a staple in my meal rotation. It's so easy to prepare, and the flavors are always a hit with my family. I love how versatile it is, pairing well with a variety of side dishes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chicken spaghetti with a simple salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or mashed potatoes.
Creative Variations
Add 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese at the end for extra cheesiness. Add 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese at the end for a creamier sauce. Use different types of pasta, such as linguine, penne, or elbow macaroni. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or shredded rotisserie chicken. Add diced bell peppers for more color and flavor. Add a can of Rotel with green chilies for some spice. Use marinara sauce instead of tomato sauce for a different flavor profile.
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Storage and Reheating
Store leftover crockpot chicken spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing this dish is not recommended as pasta doesn't thaw well.
This crockpot chicken spaghetti is a fantastic and flavorful meal that's perfect for any occasion. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
- Yes, boneless skinless chicken breasts will work, but they're more prone to drying out. Reduce the cooking time to 2-3 hours on High or 4-6 hours on Low, and check for doneness earlier.
- → What if my pasta is cooking too quickly or too slowly?
- Different pasta types and brands cook at different rates in the slow cooker. For pasta cooking too quickly, stir more frequently and check doneness after 20 minutes. For pasta taking longer, add 10-15 minute increments of cooking time, checking regularly.
- → Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
- Absolutely! Bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms would all be delicious additions. Add heartier vegetables like peppers with the initial ingredients, and more delicate ones like spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- → Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
- Yes, simply omit the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative. The dish will still be flavorful without it, or you could add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheese-like flavor.
- → Can I cook this on High for the entire time to speed things up?
- Yes, you can cook everything on High to reduce the total cooking time. Cook the chicken on High for 3 hours, then add the pasta and cook for another 20-30 minutes, checking the pasta for doneness.