Slow Cooker Angel Chicken Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker Angel Chicken Recipe: Heavenly Comfort Food

Tender chicken breasts swimming in a creamy parmesan slow cooker angel chicken recipe create a decadent dinner that melts in your mouth.

Silky sauce coats each bite with rich, savory goodness.

The dish comes together effortlessly with just a few simple ingredients.

Minimal prep work means maximum flavor and convenience.

Busy home cooks adore this hands-off meal that delivers restaurant-quality results.

Serve over pasta or rice for a complete and satisfying dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Slow Cooker Angel Chicken So Tempting

  • Tackle busy evenings with this hands-off dinner that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor without complicated cooking techniques.
  • Adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, adding vegetables, or changing pasta types to match your family's preferences and pantry ingredients.
  • Enjoy a creamy, rich dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime stress-free and deliciously satisfying.
  • Prepare extra portions for quick lunches or freeze leftovers, transforming this recipe into a smart solution for future meals with zero additional effort.

Everything That Goes Into Angel Chicken

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: The star of the dish, providing tender and juicy meat that absorbs the creamy sauce.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Cream Cheese: Contributes to the luxurious and velvety sauce consistency.
  • Cream of Chicken Soup: Provides a savory base and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Dry Italian Dressing Mix: Brings a zesty and herbal flavor profile to the dish.
  • Chicken Stock: Enhances the overall depth of flavor and helps create a silky sauce.
Flavor Enhancers and Extras:
  • Garlic: Adds a classic aromatic element to complement the chicken.
  • Angel Hair Pasta: A delicate pasta that serves as the perfect base for the creamy chicken.
  • Non-Stick Cooking Spray or Slow Cooker Liner: Ensures easy preparation and cleanup of the slow cooker.

Tools You’ll Need for Angel Chicken Magic

  • Slow cooker: Essential for cooking the chicken and creating a tender, flavorful dish.
  • Microwave: Quick tool for softening butter and cream cheese.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for adding ingredients accurately.
  • Two forks: Useful for optional shredding of chicken near end of cooking.
  • Large pot: Needed for cooking angel hair pasta.
  • Cooking spray or slow cooker liner: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.

How to Make Angel Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prepare Slow Cooker Surface

Get your slow cooker ready by spraying the interior with non-stick cooking spray.

For super easy cleanup, consider using a slow cooker liner that will protect the surface and make post-meal cleaning a breeze.

Step 2: Layer Chicken Base

Gently place chicken breasts into the bottom of the slow cooker.

Sprinkle fresh minced garlic over the chicken to infuse extra flavor right from the start.

Step 3: Create Velvety Sauce

Soften butter and cream cheese in the microwave until they become smooth and blendable.

Whisk these ingredients together until they form a creamy mixture.

Add these ingredients to create the sauce:
  • Undiluted cream of chicken soup
  • Dry Italian dressing mix
  • Chicken stock

Blend all ingredients until they form a consistent, silky sauce.

Step 4: Combine and Cook Gently

Pour the luxurious sauce completely over the chicken breasts.

Ensure every piece is well-coated.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 6 to 8 hours.

The chicken will become incredibly tender and absorb all the delicious sauce flavors.

Step 5: Optional Chicken Shredding

Approximately 30 minutes before cooking concludes, use two forks to shred the chicken breasts.

Continue cooking to allow the shredded meat to soak up even more sauce and become exceptionally flavorful.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Cook angel hair pasta according to package instructions just before the chicken finishes cooking.

Drain pasta thoroughly.

Plate the pasta and top generously with the creamy, succulent chicken and its rich sauce.

Best Tips for Juicy Slow Cooker Angel Chicken

  • Use non-stick cooking spray or a slow cooker liner to ensure easy food release and effortless cleanup.
  • Soften butter and cream cheese quickly in the microwave for smooth, lump-free sauce blending.
  • Gently pull chicken apart with two forks about 30 minutes before cooking completion to enhance sauce penetration and taste.
  • Cook angel hair pasta just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent mushiness.
  • Replace cream of chicken soup with a low-sodium or homemade alternative for a healthier version of the dish.

Variations on Classic Angel Chicken

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream cheese and butter with coconut cream and olive oil. Use dairy-free cream of chicken soup for a lactose-free version.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute Italian dressing mix with gluten-free herbs like dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Use gluten-free pasta or serve over cauliflower rice.
  • Vegetarian Transformation: Swap chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas. Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth for a plant-based alternative.
  • Spicy Herb Remix: Add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and fresh chopped parsley. Include diced jalapeños for extra heat and complexity.

How to Serve Up Slow Cooker Angel Chicken

  • Pasta Perfection Plating: Arrange the tender angel chicken over a bed of steaming angel hair pasta, creating a visually appealing and inviting main course.
  • Comfort Food Companion: Pair this creamy dish with roasted green vegetables like asparagus or broccoli to add color, nutrition, and a fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
  • Garnish Glory: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on top for a pop of color and a bright, herbal note that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.
  • Bread Buddy Boost: Serve alongside warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious creamy sauce and complete the comforting meal experience.

Storing Angel Chicken to Keep It Tender

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days. Place chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
  • Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal tightly, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
  • Place chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.

FAQs

  • What ingredients make the sauce so creamy?

The sauce combines softened butter, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, dry Italian dressing mix, and chicken stock, which create a rich and smooth texture that coats the chicken perfectly.

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They tend to be more tender and flavorful, and they’ll absorb the sauce just as well as chicken breasts.

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. The dry Italian dressing mix and cream of chicken soup typically contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free alternatives for these ingredients and check all product labels carefully.

  • How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?

Cooking on low heat for 6-8 hours and using a sauce helps keep the chicken moist.

Print
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Slow Cooker Angel Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker Angel Chicken Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent slow cooker angel chicken recipe brings Italian-inspired comfort to weeknight dinners. Creamy parmesan sauce and tender chicken thighs create a meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast

Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 0.6 ounces (17 grams) dry Italian dressing mix (Good Seasons recommended)
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped or left whole
  • 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (177 milliliters) chicken stock

Pasta:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) angel hair pasta, cooked according to package directions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the slow cooker by coating the interior with non-stick spray or inserting a liner for effortless cleanup.
  2. Arrange chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker and scatter minced garlic across the surface.
  3. Create the sauce by microwaving butter and cream cheese until soft, then thoroughly blend until smooth. Incorporate undiluted cream of chicken soup, Italian dressing mix, and chicken stock, whisking until completely integrated.
  4. Generously drench chicken breasts with the creamy mixture, ensuring even coverage. Secure lid and cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours until chicken reaches optimal tenderness.
  5. Approximately 30 minutes before completion, use two forks to gently shred chicken, allowing it to continue simmering and absorb additional sauce flavors.
  6. During final cooking stage, prepare angel hair pasta following package instructions. Once drained, plate pasta and ladle the rich, creamy chicken mixture over the top.

Notes

  • Opt for chicken tenders or thighs as alternative protein choices that remain equally tender and absorb sauce beautifully.
  • Consider reducing sodium by selecting low-sodium cream of chicken soup and using half the packet of Italian dressing mix.
  • Gluten-sensitive diners can swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to maintain recipe’s delicious profile.
  • Enhance meal’s nutritional value by adding fresh chopped spinach or steamed broccoli during the last hour of cooking for extra vegetables.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 950mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg
Clara Thompson

Clara Thompson

Recipe Developer & Food Educator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipe development, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and workshop facilitation, Content writing with a focus on healthy living​

Education

Diploma in Culinary Arts, Mt. San Jacinto College, CA
Focus: Comprehensive culinary training with an emphasis on sustainable cooking practices.

Certificate in Nutrition and Healthy Living, Cornell University (Online Program)
Focus: Understanding the principles of nutrition to create balanced and health-conscious recipes.


Clara lives where fresh ideas and fresh ingredients meet. She pairs her culinary know-how with her passion for healthy, planet-friendly cooking.
For Clara, good food should taste great, nourish your body, and feel easy to make. Her recipes highlight whole foods, colorful produce, and a deep respect for seasonal eating.

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