Introduction
Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts bathed in a creamy, Italian-inspired sauce, served over delicate angel hair pasta—impossible not to love! Crock Pot Angel Chicken offers that comfort food feeling with minimal effort, using a handful of simple ingredients that come together in the slow cooker for a hands-off, stress-free dinner. The marriage of cream cheese, buttery richness, and garlic enlivened by a dry Italian dressing mix creates a luxurious sauce that pairs beautifully with the light pasta. Whether you serve the chicken whole or shredded, spooned generously over pasta or tossed together, this dish turns weeknight dinner into a special event any night of the week.
Why Crock Pot Angel Chicken Is a Dinner Game Changer
Simple Preparation and Hands-Off Cooking
The ease of preparation makes this recipe perfect for busy days and family meals where you need dinner ready but don’t want to spend time over the stove. Starting with searing the chicken in a hot skillet locks in juices and adds a beautiful golden crust that enhances the finished dish visually and in flavor. Mixing the creamy sauce ingredients requires only a whisk or fork, and pouring it over the chicken in the slow cooker is a one-step transfer with zero mess. From there, set your Crock Pot on low and let time do the heavy lifting for 3-4 hours. No stirring needed and no worries about burning or drying out the chicken—the slow cooker environment locks in moisture. Checking the internal temperature of the chicken ensures your meal is perfectly cooked every time without guessing.
Luxurious Creamy Sauce
The creamy sauce is the heart of this recipe—rich, smooth, and packed with flavor that elevates simple chicken breasts into a special meal. Cream cheese lends smooth texture and tang that balances the savory chicken broth and creamy soup components. Unsalted butter adds richness, while garlic infuses bold aroma and flavor. The dry Italian salad dressing mix is a game-changer, introducing savory herbs like oregano and basil that make this sauce pop. The addition of Parmesan cheese just before serving creates a slightly nutty, salty finish that melts beautifully as it coats the chicken and pasta. This sauce is versatile—you can swap heavy cream for sour cream if preferred or adjust seasoning to your taste. The sauce clings to the chicken and pasta, making each bite luscious and comforting without weighing you down.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Cooking Pasta and Serving Suggestions
Shortly before the chicken is done, prepare the angel hair pasta according to package instructions, cooking until al dente. Drain the pasta and toss it lightly with a little olive oil or butter to prevent sticking. You can serve the chicken breasts whole alongside a bed of pasta with sauce spooned over the top, or shred the chicken with forks and toss everything together for a more integrated dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, cracked black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese to add fresh color and sharp flavor brightness. This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad to balance its creamy richness. Leftovers reheat beautifully, making this recipe perfect for meal prepping or quick weeknight dinners.
Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Results
For the best results, use chicken breasts of similar size to ensure even cooking—cut larger breasts into halves or quarters if needed. Always monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid undercooked or overcooked chicken, as slow cookers vary in heat output. The longer the chicken cooks, the more tender it becomes, but it will eventually start to fall apart if left too long. Adding cornstarch slurry in the last 10 minutes can thicken the sauce if desired, but you can omit this step if you prefer a looser sauce or are using sour cream instead of heavy cream. If you want to reduce sodium, opt for no-salt-added cream of chicken soup and chicken broth, then season to taste. Avoid cooking on high to prevent toughening the meat; low and slow is key for juicy, tender chicken every time.
Crock Pot Angel Chicken
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- ▢salt and pepper to taste
- ▢1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large chicken breasts)
- ▢4 ounces ½ block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ▢3 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ▢10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup recommend low or no sodium if sensitive to salt – see notes below
- ▢3 cloves garlic minced
- ▢¾ cup chicken broth recommend low or no sodium if sensitive to salt – see notes below)
- ▢1 0.7 ounce packet Good Seasons Dry Italian Salad Dressing Mix (or your favorite mix)
- ▢16 ounce box angel hair pasta
- ▢chopped fresh parsley cracked pepper and/or grated Parmesan cheese (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 Tablespoons vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle salt and pepper, to taste over both sides of 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Once the pan is hot, add the chicken breasts to the pan and sear each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from heat.
- Seared chicken in a skillet.
- In a medium bowl, add 4 ounces (½ block) cream cheese, softened to room temperature and 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Whisk until smooth.
- A bowl of softened cream cheese and butter.
- Add 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup, 3 cloves garlic, minced, ¾ cup chicken broth and 1 (0.7 ounce) packet Good Seasons Dry Italian Salad Dressing Mix to the same bowl. Whisk to fully combine.
- All the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl.
- Spray the inside of a crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Place the seared chicken breasts in the bottom of the pot.
- Seared chicken in a Crock pot.
- Pour the soup mixture over the top of the chicken breasts. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until the chicken reaches a temperature of 165F degrees. The longer you cook it, the more tender the chicken breasts get but they will also start to fall apart – if that doesn’t bother you, you can continue to cook longer.
- Always go by internal temperature of the meat to know when it is done – especially with crock pot cooking. Never base it solely on time since crock pots, depending on their age and brand, can cook hotter (or much less hot) than others. Also, the size of the chicken breasts make a difference as well.
- Sauce over the seared chicken in a Slow Cooker.
- Shortly before serving, cook 16 ounce box angel hair pasta according to the package instructions to al dente. Drain when cooked.
- Cooked Crock Pot Angel Chicken in a Slow Cooker.
- Ways to serve:
- You can serve the chicken breasts whole or you can shred the chicken. You can toss the pasta directly in the sauce or you can spoon the chicken and sauce onto the pasta for each individual serving.
- Optional: Serve it topped with chopped fresh parsley, cracked pepper and/or grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
I don’t recommend cooking it on high because I don’t think the chicken gets quite as tender, but if you absolutely must, you can cook on high for 1.5-2 hours or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F degrees. Never go only by time when cooking meat in the crock pot – you must go by internal temperature for doneness. Just keep in mind the chicken may not be fall apart tender.
Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. Nutrition Calories: 840kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 23g | Sodium: 1833mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Flavor Variations and Additions
Tips for Leftovers and Meal Prep
Leftover Crock Pot Angel Chicken keeps well and tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen. Store cooled chicken and sauce together in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to re-loosen any thickened sauce. You can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. For easy weekday lunches, shred leftover chicken and toss with pasta or lettuce for quick pasta or chicken salads. This recipe is a fantastic base for meal prepping; simply scale the ingredients up and prepare pasta fresh daily for best texture.
Expert Cooking Insights
To ensure your chicken comes out tender and flavorful every time, use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness, aiming for 165°F internally. Avoid cooking on high heat, which can make chicken dry and tough. Let the Crock Pot work its magic on low for even heat distribution and perfect results. If you want thicker sauce, prepare the cornstarch slurry in advance and add it during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. Give the sauce a good stir after adding the slurry to avoid lumps, and cook until the liquid thickens nicely. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil added just before serving brighten the dish with fresh flavor and color, enhancing presentation and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely. Chicken thighs offer richer flavor and even higher juiciness, but they may require a longer cooking time (about 4-5 hours on low). Always check internal temperature before serving.
Is there a dairy-free alternative?
For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and butter with dairy-free cream cheese and plant-based butter or oils. Use coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream or sour cream to keep the sauce rich and creamy.
How thick should the sauce be?
The sauce should coat the back of a spoon with a smooth, velvety texture. Use the cornstarch slurry to thicken if it’s too thin. Simmer with the lid off for a few minutes to reduce if needed.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the sauce and chicken in the Crock Pot insert a day ahead and refrigerate. When ready, cook on low as directed. The flavors often improve with a little extra rest before cooking.
Conclusion
Crock Pot Angel Chicken combines creamy, Italian-inspired flavors with tender, juicy chicken breasts for a luxurious yet easy meal. Its straightforward prep, flexible serving options, and rich sauce make it perfect for both busy weeknights and special dinners. With simple ingredient swaps and cooking tips, you can customize the dish to your liking effortlessly. Whether served whole or shredded over delicate angel hair pasta, this recipe promises dinner satisfaction every time. Embrace the ease of slow cooking and enjoy a comforting classic that your family will request again and again.
