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Crockpot Crack Chicken Pasta - incredibly easy comfort food meal that the entire family will love!  Great for busy weeknights, meal prep, or back-to-school! #crackchicken #pasta #crockpot #slowcooker #instantpot #chickenpasta #weeknight #easyrecipe #dinner
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5 from 12 votes

Crockpot Crack Chicken Pasta

Incredibly easy comfort food meal that the entire family will love! 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time6 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crack chicken, crockpot meal, slow cooker, weeknight recipe
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 726kcal
Author: The Chunky Chef

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth or stock
  • 16 oz dried short-cut pasta (such as fusilli, penne, etc)
  • 16 oz cream cheese
  • 1 packet ranch dressing mix
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup water
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (or bacon bits if preferred)
  • 2-3 green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Place chicken breasts in the bottom of slow cooker, add seasonings, chicken broth, cover and cook about 6-8 hours on LOW, until chicken is cooked through.
  • Shred chicken, then add pasta, cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, and water. Stir well.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 20-30 minutes, until pasta is cooked.
  • Top with bacon, remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese, and green onions. Turn slow cooker off, keep the cover on, and let sit a few minutes to let the cheese on top melt.
  • Serve hot and enjoy.

Video

Notes

Recipe serves 6-8 people.

 

INSTANT POT DIRECTIONS 

** there will be additional ingredients needed **
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • only 12 oz cream cheese
  • additional 1 cup of chicken broth
  • additional 1 cup of water
  1. Preheat Instant Pot on “Sauté” setting; add oil, chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ranch packet, stirring to coat. Cook chicken 2–3 minutes. 
  2. Add broth and water to pot, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to get all browned bits loosened.  Add pasta.  Close lid, lock pot, select “Manual” or "High Pressure Cook" setting and 4 minutes time. When time is up, perform a quick release and open Pot.
  3. Stir in cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, and cooked bacon until combined.  Let sit 5 minutes to thicken. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 726kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 161mg | Sodium: 1032mg | Potassium: 640mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1078IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 2mg