Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

Featured in Fast and Simple Recipes for Busy Days.

Looking for a family-friendly dinner that practically cooks itself? This Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti delivers big on flavor and nutrition with minimal hands-on time. Tender chicken thighs simmer all day with diced vegetables and Italian herbs in a tomato-based sauce, creating a rich flavor foundation. The pasta cooks right in the same pot during the final stretch, absorbing all those savory flavors while creating a satisfying one-pot meal. With 36g of protein per serving, this dish provides balanced nutrition without the fuss of multiple pots and pans. What makes this recipe special is its versatility - use any pasta you prefer, including gluten-free options, and customize the herbs to your family's taste. Perfect for busy weeknights, this crowd-pleasing dinner requires just 15 minutes of prep time while your slow cooker handles the rest.
Home Delicious Recipes
Updated on Sat, 08 Mar 2025 21:48:26 GMT
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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.

Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta

This Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti combines tender shredded chicken with pasta and vegetables in a savory tomato sauce for a healthy, kid-friendly dinner with minimal effort.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
220 Minutes
Total Time
235 Minutes

Category: Quick & Easy

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: North American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 3 pounds chicken thighs, skinless (bone in or boneless)
02 1 large carrot, diced
03 2 large celery stalks, diced
04 1 small onion, diced
05 2 large garlic cloves, minced
06 15 ounces can tomato sauce
07 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
08 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
09 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 10 ounces spaghetti (regular, whole wheat or gluten-free)
12 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
13 1/3 cup parsley, dill or basil, finely chopped

Instructions

Step 01

Add the diced carrots, celery, onion, minced garlic, tomato sauce, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to a large crockpot. Stir to combine all ingredients into a flavorful sauce base.

Step 02

Place the skinless chicken thighs into the crockpot, making sure they're well covered with the sauce. Cover with the lid and cook on High heat for 3-4 hours or on Low heat for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Step 03

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the crockpot. Shred the meat using two forks, discarding any bones if you used bone-in thighs. If your slow cooker was on Low, switch it to High heat at this point.

Step 04

Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot. Break the spaghetti noodles in half and add them to the pot, stirring a few times to separate the noodles and ensure they're mixed with the sauce and chicken.

Step 05

Cover and cook for about 30 minutes (less time for gluten-free spaghetti, especially brown rice pasta). Stir once halfway through to make sure the top noodles are covered with liquid. Cover again and continue cooking for another 10 minutes or until the spaghetti is tender.

Step 06

Once the pasta is cooked to your desired tenderness, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, or basil). Stir to incorporate and serve hot.

Notes

  1. This dish can be made with regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free spaghetti.
  2. Gluten-free pasta, especially brown rice pasta, cooks faster and may become mushy if overcooked.
  3. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days but freezing is not recommended as pasta doesn't freeze well.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large slow cooker/Crockpot
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Two forks for shredding
  • Cutting board and knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (Parmesan cheese)
  • Contains gluten if using regular or whole wheat pasta

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 558
  • Total Fat: 31 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
  • Protein: 36 g