This post is sponsored by Banza Pasta. I received compensation for incorporation in this dish. The recipe and thoughts are my own.
Cheesy Chicken Pasta is a homey comforting dish that is sure to be part of your meal rotation.
I adore baked pasta, but my son doesn't like tomatoes. Other than on pizza, he avoids any tomato or tomato sauce. If I make lasagna, he scrapes the sauce off, sprinkles on some Parmesan and eats it like that.
He enjoyed the chicken and bacon white lasagna I made, so I switched that recipe up a bit to make it easier to prepare but with the same flavors.
How to Cook Cheesy Chicken Pasta
This is not your typical dump everything in the crock pot and come back 8 hours later to a meal recipe. It is more of a lazy weekend at home meal.
The chicken is slow cooked for a few hours until easily shredded. Then add the remaining ingredients and cook for another 30 minutes or so until the pasta is cooked.
So, why cook it in the slow cooker instead of on the stove or in a pressure cooker? Why not? If you want to cook it differently, by all means do so.
I HAVE NEVER DONE EITHER OF THESE METHODS, but my suggestions:
Stove Top: You can cook both the chicken and pasta in seperate pots. Start the chicken first and let it cook at least 45 minutes to an hour if you want to shred it, less if you want to chop it up.
Pressure Cooker: Cook the chicken for about 8-10 minutes (you will need less stock) remove and shred while you cook the pasta for about 6 minutes, then add the chicken and cheese back together until melted.
Banza Pasta is a Gluten Free Dream
Banza Pasta makes delicious pasta in variety of different shapes out of chickpeas, making them gluten free. They are also vegan. A dream come true for pasta lovers everywhere. And, in case you were wondering, it cooks and tastes just like regular semolina pasta.
If you can't find them in your local grocery stores, you can purchase directly from Banza online.
I chose the cavatappi (corkscrew) for this recipe, but penne or shells will also work.
Banza website - facebook - instagram - pinterest - twitter
National Slow Cooker Month
I love an easy one pot meal, especially when the pot is a slow cooker. I am celebrating #NationalSlowCookerMonth with a bunch of my food blogging friends. Check with us all week for delicious Slow Cooker dishes like these:
Monday’s Slow Cooker Recipes
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake by That Recipe
- Beef Short Ribs with Vegetables by Family Around the Table
- Easy Slow Cooker Lady Pea Cassoulet by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Homestyle Pork Roast (Slow Cooker) by Palatable Pastime
- Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentil Soup by Frugal & Fit
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta Sauce by Savory Moments
- Slow Cooker Curried Lentil & Sausage Soup by The Spiffy Cookie
- Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Slow Cooker Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Casserole by Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Slow Cooker Pinto Bean and Chorizo Naan Bread Appetizer by The Freshman Cook
- Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice by Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup with Sausage by Blogghetti
- Vegan Slow Cooker Chickpea Noodle Soup by Kate's Recipe Box
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 pound cavatappi, rigatoni, ziti shaped pasta (uncooked)
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (grated)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Put chicken, stock and seasonings in the crock of a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low 4-6 hours.
- Remove chicken from crock and shred with two forks, or cut if preferred.
- Turn slow cooker to high, add cream cheese and 1 cup of the cheddar to the broth still in the crock. Stir until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add shredded chicken and uncooked pasta to the crock and top with remaining cheese. Cover and cook for another 20-30 minutes until pasta is cooked and the cheese is melted.
Sound fabulous? Share it!
Wendy Klik
Sounds delicious, so creamy and rich.
Amy (Savory Moments)
This looks so good --- comforting and delicious! My family would enjoy this meal a lot. Plus, the slow cooker makes it easy.
Karen
I love cheesy pasta and the fact that you can make this in the slow cooker is an extra bonus.
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
This sounds absolutely amazing and super cheesy! The perfect weeknight meal!
Hezzi-D
MMMMMM. Chicken, pasta, and cheese are all my favorites. I'll be making this one soon!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
I just love a simple cheesy pasta and this certainly fits the bill! I love the Banza pasta as well and it cooks in the slow cooker so well!
Lisa Kerhin
This sounds so good! I am loving that Banza pasta, too. Making this in the slow cooker is such a time saver.
Teri@The Freshman Cook
The chicken and the cream cheese in your recipe must make it taste awesome! I love the flavors, and this is definitely a recipe my family will love!
Christie
So much flavor in such an easy slow cooker recipe. Cavatappi is one of my favorite shapes of pasta. I think it's the most fun shape aside from wagon wheels.