I love a slow cooker pasta recipe and this crockpot Caesar chicken pasta is a hearty, creamy pasta dish that the whole family loves. Adding lemon zest really brightens up the dish!
Preparation Details
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 3 hrs
Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 (32-ounce carton) reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (16-ounce) bottle creamy Caesar salad dressing
- 1 pound dried rotini pasta
- 1 (8- ounce) package cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- crushed red pepper, to taste (optional)
- capers for topping, to taste (optional)
- lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Steps
- Gather all ingredients.
- Lightly coat the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the slow cooker and sprinkle with garlic powder and lemon zest. Pour chicken broth and Caesar dressing over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on Low for 5 hours or on High for 2 1/2 hours or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken registers 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and allow to cool slightly on a cutting board before shredding or chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Meanwhile, stir the pasta into the dressing mixture in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on High 20 to 30 minutes more or until pasta is tender.
- Stir in cream cheese and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese until melted. Add shredded chicken, and parsley; stir to combine. Turn cooker off and let pasta mixture stand, uncovered to allow sauce to thicken slightly, 10 minutes.
- Top with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and if desired, top with crushed red pepper, capers, and/or lemon wedges.
