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Home » Recipes » Chicken Dinners

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Published: Dec 11, 2022 Last Updated: Jan 29, 2023 by Marye 1546 words. | About 8 minutes to read this article.

Creamy chicken casserole is so easy in the slow cooker! Chicken breasts simmer in a cheesy sauce and then are shredded. Mix in your favorite pasta, cook a few more minutes, and you're ready to eat!
Total time 6 hours 25 minutes
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Finished casserole being dished up with text overlay for Pinterest.

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Casserole being dished up showing all the ingredients in the sauce.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
  • 📞 The last word
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Simple slow cooker recipe that tastes like home
  • Pure comfort food—a classic meal made modern
  • Long cooking time means you have plenty of room for errands or helping with homework while dinner simmers all-day

No oven necessary!

Slow cooker chicken casserole is one of my favorite recipes for chilly, busy evenings. The creamy, smooth sauce covers the noodles like butter, and the moist chicken is shredded down so even picky eaters will love it!

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for this chicken recipe.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Step by step images showing how to make this slow cooker chicken recipe.
  1. In the crock pot, combine chicken broth, soups, and dry dressing.
  2. Stir the liquid mixture, then add the boneless skinless chicken breasts.
  3. Sprinkle some salt and black pepper on top of the chicken. Cook.
  4. Shred the chicken and stir in pasta.

🥫 Storage

With a family favorite like this, I love to make extra. That way, we can have classic comfort food ready to go in just a few minutes!

Slow cooker chicken casserole leftovers last in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure you let the food cool to room temperature before putting it into an airtight container.

Then, the only thing you have to do is warm it up in the microwave or on the stove over low heat for a few minutes and you've got an easy dinner with no cook time at all!

Overhead view of the casserole dished up.

📖 Variations

An easy recipe like chicken casserole is a great way to feed the entire family—fast. However, you can switch things up depending on your preferences or schedule.

  • Protein: Skinless chicken thighs also work in this recipe.
  • Pasta: Use any kind that you prefer. Egg noodles are tasty, too!
  • No Noodles: Swap the pasta for cooked rice (like a chicken rice casserole), or serve it over cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes.
  • Soup: Cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup can be used interchangeably. You could use cream of celery, but it'll taste more veggie-forward than the chicken.
  • Extras: You can add a bag of frozen veggies (we like the carrots, green beans, and pea blend) to turn this chicken casserole into an easy one-pot meal. Or, brown some mushrooms and onions and add them to the chicken mixture for extra aromatic texture.
  • Flavor: Add red pepper flakes for a bit of spice, or use fresh herbs to enhance the flavor from the dry dressing mix.
  • Garnish: Sprinkle on more cheese or chopped-up parsley. Sometimes I'll sprinkle bacon pieces overtop just before serving—cheesy chicken with a bit of smoky flavor is Texas perfection!

I love this with a side of southern biscuits so I can soak up ever last drop of soup!

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: For perfect pasta, no matter the shape, add about five to seven minutes of cook time to the package directions. Then, check it every so often so until it's perfectly al dente!

  • Crockpot chicken casserole can be cooked in the oven. It'll take about 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees F. While the chicken bakes, cook the noodles on the stove. Then, shred the meat and combine everything.
  • You can add a little extra flavor by searing the raw chicken in a hot frying pan until golden brown. Then, cook it in the crockpot as directed.
  • Don't add water or anything else to the dressing mix—simply toss it in dry and it'll do its job!
  • Some slow cooker meals can stay on the "warm" setting for a while, but I don't recommend that with this one. The chicken mixture can stay on warm, but once you add the pasta, serve it as soon as it is done. Otherwise, the noodles will get mushy.
  • If you meal prep, let the creamy chicken cook according to the recipe. However, make and store the pasta (or rice) separately and portion out each serving as you need it.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Can I put the pasta in at the beginning?

Not unless you want it to disintegrate into pasta mush! The slow cooking process is great for making really tender meats and imparting lots of flavor to the sauce. However, this recipe isn't suited for making noodles over longer cooking times.

Will this casserole taste okay if I use cream cheese?

Sure! You can swap the cheddar cheese soup for a block of cream cheese if you prefer. It'll taste a bit tangier, and, of course, have less of a cheddar flavor.

If I use rice instead of pasta, can I cook it in the crockpot, too?

Rice usually requires more cook time than pasta does, so I would recommend precooking the rice and simply stirring it in at the end. For a really easy weeknight dinner, use instant rice instead of cooking it yourself.

What side dishes go well with slow cooker chicken casserole?

We love it with a simple side salad or some steamed veggies for the kids. Don't forget rolls to wipe your saucy plate clean! Scroll down to the "serve with" section for more side dish ideas.

📚 Related recipes

  • A true set-it-and-forget-it dinner, Crockpot Ranch Chicken is a delicious Southern slow cooker chicken recipe that's also a complete meal!
  • Crockpot Angel Chicken is a hearty recipe that needs little effort—prep, cooking, and clean-up are so easy, it makes dinner time even better!
  • Decadent, peppery, and full of cheddar, Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti covers all the bases. It's one of those great recipes you'll crave!
  • Creamy Ranch Chicken
  • Perfect Pot Roast: Easy Family Favorite
  • Easy Crockpot Meatballs
  • Creamy Crockpot Ranch Chicken

🍽️ Serve with...

  • Italian Green Bean Salad
  • Maple Roasted Carrots
  • Angel Biscuits
  • Cinnamon Pecan Rolls

🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends

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You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • slow cooker

📞 The last word

I love creamy pasta casseroles!

This is one of those hearty meals that calls the family to supper by the smell alone!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overhead view of chicken and pasta in a white bowl.
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

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Creamy chicken casserole is so easy in the slow cooker! Chicken breasts simmer in a cheesy sauce and then are shredded. Mix in your favorite pasta, cook a few more minutes, and you're ready to eat!
Course Main Dish - Chicken
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
Servings:8
Calories:442
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 10.5 ounces condensed cream of mushroom, you can also use a condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 10.5 ounces Cheddar cheese soup
  • 0.75 ounces garlic and herb dressing, I use Good Seasons Italian
  • 2 pounds chicken breast, skinless, boneless
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 16 ounces farfalle pasta, or your favorite
  • salt and pepper to taste

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Spray the crock with no-stick cooking spray.
  • Pour the can of condensed cream of mushroom, and cheddar cheese soup into the slow cooker crock.
  • Sprinkle the garlic and herb dressing seasonings over the top of the soups.
  • Pour the chicken broth. Mix until combined.
  • Add the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the chicken with a little salt and pepper.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or until the chicken has reached 165 degrees F internal temperature.
  • Take the chicken breasts out of the crock pot and shred the chicken with 2 forks.
  • Add the pasta to the broth, and mix.
  • Add the shredded chicken. Mix well.
  • Cover, switch temperature to HIGH and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until pasta is cooked to your liking. For the Farfalle pasta I used, I cook for 20 minutes. You can also just cook the pasta on the stove and add to the chicken mixture before serving.

Notes

Storage:
Let cool and remove from slow cooker. Put in an airtight container or a food storage bag and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
I don't recommend freezing because the pasta gets mushy.
Tips:
  • Crockpot chicken casserole can be cooked in the oven. It'll take about 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees F. While the chicken bakes, cook the noodles on the stove. Then, shred the meat and combine everything.
  • You can add a little extra flavor by searing the raw chicken in a hot frying pan until golden brown. Then, cook it in the crockpot as directed.
  • Don't add water or anything else to the dressing mix—simply toss it in dry and it'll do its job!
  • Some slow cooker meals can stay on the "warm" setting for a while, but I don't recommend that with this one. The chicken mixture can stay on warm, but once you add the pasta, serve it as soon as it is done. Otherwise, the noodles will get mushy.
  • If you meal prep, let the creamy chicken cook according to the recipe. However, make and store the pasta (or rice) separately and portion out each serving as you need it.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 1044mg | Potassium: 887mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 188IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

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