The Ultimate Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe Everyone Loves

Whipping up a hearty crack chicken pasta dish brings comfort right to your kitchen table.

Packed with creamy, cheesy goodness, this crock pot marvel promises pure culinary magic.

Busy weeknight warriors will adore how simple ingredients combine into something spectacular.

Minimal effort delivers maximum flavor in every single bite.

Shredded chicken blends seamlessly with melted cheese and tender pasta, creating a crowd-pleasing meal everyone craves.

Creamy, rich, and impossibly easy to prepare, this recipe guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

You won’t believe how quickly this delicious dinner comes together with just a few pantry staples.

Dig in and savor every delectable, soul-warming spoonful.

Crack Chicken Pasta That’s Comfort Food Made Easy

• Minimal Effort Cooking: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic without constant supervision, making meal prep a breeze for busy home cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Combines creamy, cheesy goodness with tender chicken and crispy bacon, creating an irresistible dish that appeals to both kids and adults at family dinners.
• Time-Saving One-Pot Wonder: Eliminates multiple cooking steps by preparing chicken, pasta, and sauce simultaneously in the crock pot, reducing kitchen cleanup and total cooking time dramatically.
• Customizable Flavor Boost: Easily adaptable with different seasonings, cheese types, or protein options, allowing home cooks to personalize the recipe to their taste preferences and dietary needs.

Crack Chicken Pasta in Crock Pot Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that creates the main protein of the dish, choose boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
• Bacon: Crispy, salty addition that provides extra flavor and texture, thick-cut bacon works best for crumbling.

• Cream Cheese: Provides rich, creamy base for the sauce, full-fat version recommended for best texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that adds melty goodness and depth of flavor, shredded for easy melting.
• Milk or Heavy Cream: Helps create smooth sauce and cook pasta, heavy cream will make a richer dish.

• Ranch Seasoning Mix: Provides signature tangy and herbal flavor profile.
• Garlic Powder: Adds background savory note without fresh garlic chunks.
• Onion Powder: Contributes subtle aromatic depth to the overall taste.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and enhances overall chicken flavor.

• Green Onions: Optional fresh garnish that adds color and mild onion flavor.

Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta Prep

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Base

Drop chicken breasts into the crock pot.

Sprinkle ranch seasoning mix directly over the chicken.

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Top chicken with cubed cream cheese and pour chicken broth around the meat.

Step 2: Slow Cook Chicken

Cover the crock pot and let chicken cook.

• Low setting: 6-7 hours
• High setting: 3-4 hours

Chicken should become completely tender and fully cooked.

Step 3: Shred and Mix Chicken

Use two forks to pull chicken apart inside the crock pot.

Mix shredded chicken thoroughly with developing creamy sauce.

Step 4: Add Pasta and Liquid

Pour uncooked pasta into the crock pot.

Add milk or heavy cream.

Ensure pasta gets completely covered by liquid.

Cover and cook on high heat for 20-30 minutes.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Incorporate Cheese and Bacon

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crumbled bacon

Stir until cheese melts completely and ingredients blend seamlessly.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Optional: Sprinkle chopped green onions on top.

Serve piping hot and savor every delicious bite.

Pasta Tips That Bring Creamy Crack Chicken Flavor

• Use two forks to pull apart the cooked chicken while it's still warm for the most tender, easily separated pieces.
• Stir occasionally during pasta cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
• Adjust milk or heavy cream amount to make the sauce thicker or thinner based on your preference for creaminess.
• Sprinkle extra ranch seasoning or add a dash of black pepper for enhanced taste profile if desired.
• Briefly pan-fry bacon before crumbling to add extra crunch and maximize smoky flavor in the final dish.

Reheat Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum.
• Pour pasta into a skillet, add splash of milk or broth. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and maintain creamy texture.
• Transfer single serving to microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add extra liquid if pasta seems dry.
• Cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to preserve best texture and flavor.

Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta Accompaniments

• Perfectly Paired Flavor Boosters: Crack Chicken Pasta Companions
• Crisp White Wine Complement: Select a bright, acidic chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to cut through the rich, creamy pasta and balance its decadent flavors.
• Fresh Green Salad Match: Prepare a light arugula salad with tangy vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast against the heavy, cheesy chicken pasta.
• Zesty Side Vegetable: Roast asparagus spears with lemon and garlic to add a vibrant, crisp element that enhances the dish's creamy texture and complements its savory profile.
• Cool Beverage Pairing: Pour a cold, crisp pilsner or light beer that will refresh the palate and help cleanse the mouth between rich, creamy bites of the pasta.

Crack Chicken Pasta with Crock Pot Edits

• Gluten-Free Chicken Pasta: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like chickpea or rice pasta, ensuring the dish remains safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Chicken Cauliflower Swap: Substitute pasta with riced cauliflower for a lower-carb version that still delivers rich, creamy flavors and protein-packed goodness.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut milk, then swap cheddar with nutritional yeast for a creamy texture that accommodates lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Vegetarian Protein Option: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, maintaining the ranch seasoning and overall recipe structure for a meatless meal.

FAQs

• Why use ranch seasoning mix in this recipe?

Ranch seasoning adds a tangy, herby flavor that complements the chicken and creates a rich, savory base for the entire dish.

• Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked and tender.

• Do I need to pre-cook the bacon?

No, you don’t. Simply crumble raw bacon and add it at the end, as it will mix well with the hot pasta and contribute its crispy texture and smoky flavor.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe is not gluten-free as written. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure the ranch seasoning mix is also gluten-free.

Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy, zesty crock pot crack chicken pasta delivers ultimate comfort with minimal effort. Cheese-laden noodles and tender chicken create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup (225 grams) cooked and crumbled bacon

Dairy and Cheese:

• 2 (8 ounces / 226 grams) packages of cream cheese, cubed
• 1.5 cups (340 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk or heavy cream

Pasta and Seasonings:

• 1 lb (454 grams) rotini or penne pasta
• 1 packet (28 grams / 1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) chicken broth
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons onion powder

Optional Garnish:

• chopped green onions

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Instructions

1. Position chicken breasts in the slow cooker, generously coating with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Strategically place cream cheese cubes atop the seasoned chicken and gently pour chicken broth around the meat.
3. Secure the lid and allow the chicken to cook thoroughly, transforming into a tender, flavorful base – approximately 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high temperature.
4. Utilize two forks to meticulously shred the chicken, thoroughly integrating it with the developing creamy sauce within the crock pot.
5. Introduce uncooked pasta and milk, ensuring complete liquid submersion, then cover and continue cooking on high heat for approximately 25 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent sticking.
6. When pasta reaches perfect tenderness, incorporate shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon pieces, stirring until cheese melts completely and ingredients harmonize.
7. Optionally crown the dish with freshly chopped green onions for an elevated presentation and additional flavor complexity.
8. Serve immediately while piping hot, savoring the rich, comforting blend of textures and tastes.

Notes

• Swap chicken breasts with thighs for more tender, flavorful meat that absorbs seasonings better.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium ranch mix and low-fat cream cheese options.
• Add extra vegetables like spinach or diced bell peppers during the last 30 minutes of cooking for nutritional boost.
• Gluten-free alternative can be achieved by using gluten-free pasta and checking ranch seasoning ingredients.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 830 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg