Introduction
Remember those nights when dinner felt like a Herculean task after a long day? I sure do! That’s why I’m so excited to share this Crock Pot Angel Chicken recipe with you. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl – incredibly comforting, surprisingly simple, and utterly delicious. You know, the kind of meal that makes everyone in the family ask for seconds (and maybe even thirds!). It’s so easy, you’ll be wondering where it’s been all your life.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Minimal prep time means you can get it in the slow cooker and get on with your day.
- Easy: Seriously, just a few steps and your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
- Giftable: Imagine bringing a ready-to-go meal to a new parent or a friend going through a tough time. This is it!
- Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone adores this creamy, dreamy chicken.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is part of the fun, right? Here’s what you’ll need for this magical Crock Pot Angel Chicken:
- 1-2 Tablespoons vegetable oil: Just a little to help keep things from sticking in the slow cooker.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: The essentials for bringing out all those wonderful flavors.
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts: These will be our tender, juicy stars of the show.
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened: This is what makes our sauce wonderfully rich and creamy. Make sure it’s soft so it mixes in smoothly!
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Adds another layer of luxuriousness to the sauce.
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup: A classic for a reason, it’s a flavor powerhouse and helps thicken our sauce.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Because what’s good food without a little garlic?
- ¾ cup chicken broth: This helps create that luscious sauce and keeps the chicken moist.
- 1 (0.7 ounce) packet dry Italian salad dressing mix: This little packet is a secret weapon for big flavor, adding herbs and savory goodness.
- 16 ounce box angel hair pasta: The delicate strands are perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
- Chopped fresh parsley, cracked pepper, and/or grated Parmesan cheese (optional for serving): These are your finishing touches – like the cherry on top!
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this dinner party started! It’s so straightforward, you’ll be a pro in no time.
- Prep Your Crock Pot: First things first, give the inside of your slow cooker a light little coat of vegetable oil. This just makes cleanup a breeze.
- Season the Chicken: Grab those boneless, skinless chicken breasts and give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Then, nestle them right into the bottom of your greased slow cooker.
- Whip Up the Creamy Sauce: In a separate bowl, let’s bring together the magic. Add your softened cream cheese, softened butter, can of cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, chicken broth, and that packet of Italian dressing mix. Stir it all together until it’s smooth and beautifully combined. No lumps allowed!
- Coat the Chicken: Now, pour that glorious, creamy mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Make sure every piece gets a good coating.
- Let the Magic Happen: Cover your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. You’re looking for the chicken to be completely cooked through and super tender. My slow cooker usually runs a little hot, so I often check it closer to the 4-hour mark on low.
- Shred or Chop: Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. You can either shred it with two forks (that’s my favorite way for maximum sauce absorption!) or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Then, toss the shredded or chopped chicken right back into that luscious sauce in the slow cooker.
- Cook Your Pasta: While the chicken is doing its thing, get your angel hair pasta cooking according to the package directions.
- Serve it Up!: Ladle that dreamy Crock Pot Angel Chicken and its sauce right over your perfectly cooked angel hair pasta. For an extra pop of freshness and flavor, sprinkle on some chopped fresh parsley, a crack of fresh pepper, or some grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy every single bite!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but we’re all about making it your own! Here are a few ideas:
- Chicken Thighs: If you prefer dark meat, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully here. They’re even harder to overcook!
- Broth Variety: Feel free to use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added to the sauce mixture can give it a nice little kick.
- Veggies: Stir in some frozen peas or broccoli florets during the last 30 minutes of cooking for an easy veggie boost.
- Different Pasta: While angel hair is ideal for its delicate texture, fettuccine or even penne would work in a pinch.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks can make your Crock Pot Angel Chicken absolutely perfect:
- Soften the Cream Cheese: This is key! If your cream cheese is too cold, it won’t mix smoothly into the sauce. Let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before you start.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: While slow cookers are forgiving, overcooked chicken can become dry. Keep an eye on it, especially if you’re cooking on high.
- Prep Ahead: You can make the sauce mixture the night before and store it in the fridge. Just pour it over the chicken in the morning.
- Pasta Timing: Cook your pasta just before you’re ready to serve. Angel hair cooks super fast, so it’s best done right at the end.
How to Store It
Leftovers are always a good thing, especially with this recipe! Let the chicken and sauce cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce seems a little thick.
FAQs
Got a few lingering questions? I’ve got you covered!
Q: Can I use chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Chicken tenders will cook faster, so keep an eye on them. Thighs are a fantastic option and are very forgiving!
Q: What if I don’t have Italian salad dressing mix?
A: You can create a DIY version! Mix about 1 tablespoon of dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Q: Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
A: It would require some substitutions, like using a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and a dairy-free creamy soup alternative. The texture might be slightly different, but it’s worth a try!
Crock Pot Angel Chicken
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- bowl for mixing sauce
- Forks for shredding chicken
- Pot for cooking pasta
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for greasing
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.75 cup chicken broth
- 1 (0.7 ounce) packet dry Italian salad dressing mix
- 16 ounce box angel hair pasta
- chopped fresh parsley, cracked pepper, and/or grated Parmesan cheese optional for serving
Instructions
- Prep Your Crock Pot: First things first, give the inside of your slow cooker a light little coat of vegetable oil. This just makes cleanup a breeze.
- Season the Chicken: Grab those boneless, skinless chicken breasts and give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Then, nestle them right into the bottom of your greased slow cooker.
- Whip Up the Creamy Sauce: In a separate bowl, let’s bring together the magic. Add your softened cream cheese, softened butter, can of cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, chicken broth, and that packet of Italian dressing mix. Stir it all together until it's smooth and beautifully combined. No lumps allowed!
- Coat the Chicken: Now, pour that glorious, creamy mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Make sure every piece gets a good coating.
- Let the Magic Happen: Cover your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. You’re looking for the chicken to be completely cooked through and super tender. My slow cooker usually runs a little hot, so I often check it closer to the 4-hour mark on low.
- Shred or Chop: Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. You can either shred it with two forks (that’s my favorite way for maximum sauce absorption!) or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Then, toss the shredded or chopped chicken right back into that luscious sauce in the slow cooker.
- Cook Your Pasta: While the chicken is doing its thing, get your angel hair pasta cooking according to the package directions.
- Serve it Up!: Ladle that dreamy Crock Pot Angel Chicken and its sauce right over your perfectly cooked angel hair pasta. For an extra pop of freshness and flavor, sprinkle on some chopped fresh parsley, a crack of fresh pepper, or some grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy every single bite!