This super easy crockpot chicken alfredo with jar sauce recipe is one pot easy! No multiple pans, dishes, or added preparation time. Use jarred Alfredo sauce, uncooked pasta, and fresh diced chicken, along with seasonings and lots of cheese, for this flavor filled delicious meal any night of the week. Trust me... you'll love this one!
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You'll Love Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo with Jar Alfredo Sauce
Super Easy! When I say this recipe is super easy, I really mean it. You don't need to cook anything ahead of time, and everything cooks in one crockpot. That's not only great for cooking but great for cleanup also!
No Prep Needed. You don't need to pre-cook the noodles in this recipe; cook the chicken, and use jarred alfredo sauce to make it extra convenient. Add in extra seasoning, garlic, fresh herbs, and lots of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese for the easiest and yummiest Alfredo!
Great Leftovers. The leftovers reheat very well in the microwave(if there are any)! I love to pack a small side salad and enjoy a serving of this for lunch or dinner the next day.
What You'll Need
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this easy slow cooker chicken alfredo:
- Jarred Alfredo Sauce: choose your favorite brand! You can use homemade if you prefer to as well. I like Jarred to save time on preparation.
- Water: to help the noodles cook and so the sauce doesn't get too thick.
- Garlic: use fresh garlic and mince at home, or use the store-bought pre-minced if you'd like.
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Uncooked Penne Pasta: you can use penne pasta or use your other favorite type of pasta.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: use pre-shredded store-bought cheese or shred your own off the block.
- Finely Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- Optional: fresh basil or parsley for garnish
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap your protein with mild, spicy, or sweet Italian sausage. You can also use ground beef or diced pepperoni as great alternatives to chicken!
- Add veggies to your alfredo! I sometimes add diced onion, broccoli, mushrooms, and diced pimentos. Make it your own with your favorites.
- Use any brand of Alfredo sauce that you like! Swap for marinara sauce if you prefer, or use a mixture of both alfredo and marinara.
How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe with Jar Sauce
Here's how to make this delicious crockpot chicken alfredo:
- In a large bowl, stir together pasta, jar of alfredo sauce, water, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper.
2. Spray nonstick spray inside the crockpot. Pour half of the pasta mixture in the bottom, top with half the chicken and half the cheese.
3. Repeat the layers by adding the rest of the sauce, then the chicken, and top with the rest of the cheese.
4. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 4 hours or until the pasta in the middle of the pot is tender and the chicken is cooked. Finish with optional garnish.
Hint: Make sure to check for pasta doneness in the middle of the crockpot, as that is the last place the noodles will be done. Check the internal temperature of a piece of chicken in the middle of the crockpot as well. A safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees F.
How to Serve Crock Pot Alfredo
- Garnish with chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or oregano.
- Serve with your favorite crusty bread or breadsticks.
- Serve your favorite vegetable on the side, or add it to the alfredo! I always love broccoli with my chicken Alfredo.
Meal idea! Chicken Alfredo is always so delicious on its own, but it can be rich and heavy. I love to pair this pasta with a light garden salad or Caesar salad to start. Breadsticks or your favorite bread is perfect for soaking up all that yummy cheese sauce so you get every last drop!
Slow Cooker Tips
Tip #1: To help prevent your pasta from getting overcooked and soggy in the crockpot, start by coating your pasta with a tablespoon of olive oil and cook in the microwave on 30% power stirring frequently between 3 to 5 minutes or until half the pasta becomes "blistered" and toasted.
Tip #2: Don't skip the step of spraying nonstick spray to the inside of your crockpot before filling. It will help prevent the cheese from sticking. You can also use a crockpot liner to make cleanup that much easier!
Be sure to pin this pin to Pinterest for later! 🙂
FAQ's
Allow your leftovers to cool completely before putting them in the refrigerator. Store in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat your leftovers in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate or bowl. I recommend taking the amount you intend to eat and heating that at a time. This will help it heat more evenly.
Of course! Using jarred sauce is a huge timesaver for crockpot cooking. Some jarred sauces such as alfredo sauce, hold up better than the homemade version with fresh cream which can actually separate over time.
If you want to give jarred alfredo sauce some oomph...try ground black pepper, fresh garlic, onion powder, fresh chopped herbs (basil, oregano, parsley), vegetables, chopped pimentos, cooked crumbled bacon, or any of your other favorite proteins.
For this recipe, you do not need to heat the jar of alfredo sauce before adding to the crockpot. If serving directly over hot cooked pasta, jarred alfredo sauce should be heated as well. Always refer to the recipe you are following.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Recipe with Jar Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce jars) alfredo sauce sauce
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 16 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1½ inch cubes)
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (finely shredded)
- optional: fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together uncooked pasta, alfredo sauce, water, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the inside of the crock pot with nonstick spray. Spread ½ of the pasta and sauce mixture on the bottom of the crock pot. Add ½ of the chicken, ½ of the mozzarella, then ½ of the parmesan cheese.
- Repeat with another layer of the remaining chicken and parmesan cheese, ending with mozzarella cheese.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 to 4 hours or until the pasta in the middle of the pot is tender and chicken is cooked. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil.
Video
Notes
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- VARIATIONS: Use mild, spicy or sweet Italian sausage. Ground beef and pepperoni can be used in place of the sausage if preferred. Use any favorite marinara sauce.
- TIP: The pasta goes in dry and cooks in the sauce. This method does produce softer pasta. If you would like al dente (but not gluey) pasta, microwave the noodles with 1 tablespoon of olive oil on 30% power, stirring frequently for about 3 to 5 minutes or until half of the pasta begins to blister and is toasted.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and adjust seasoning to taste. Pairs well with a salad and breadsticks.
Nutrition
© 2024 Slow Cooked Eats
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Katie says
Can you cook on low and if so for how long?
slowcookedeats says
I'm sorry I've only tested this recipe on high, not low. Because I added dry pasta into the recipe, there is a very specific amount of liquid that is needed to cook the pasta and have sauce left over. Cooking pasta in the pot can be tricky on low because it will absorb extra liquid and potentially dry out the dish in the end.
Rhonda Wingler says
Can you double the recipe ? In large crock pot
slowcookedeats says
Yes, for sure! Keep in mind that it will increase the cooking time and the pasta does absorb water so it will increase in size and take up more room that you might think. 🙂
Laura Byers says
Can you use fettuccine pasta instead of penna?
slowcookedeats says
Yes, you definitely could! I'm not sure what kind of time adjustment you would need, if any, until it is done. Enjoy!