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This recipe for insanely delicious slow cooker chicken fettuccine alfredo pasta will be a go-to weeknight dinner from now on. The homemade alfredo sauce is creamy, light, and incredibly satisfying. The chicken and sauce get cooked in your handy dandy slow cooker and deepen with garlic and savory goodness. The pasta gets coated and tossed with the sauce into one incredibly hearty and cozy meal. This restaurant-worthy meal will be an instant favorite with the whole family!
Whip up a batch of slow cooker chicken fettuccine alfredo to gobble up with a bowl of crunchy salad on the side.
If cozy chicken recipes are your thing, try my chicken stroganoff, this Marry Me chicken pasta, or an easy sheet pan chicken caprese.
Why You’ll Love It
Family favorite: This crockpot chicken alfredo is a kid-friendly recipe, plus you can easily add (sneak) broccoli into it.
Budget-friendly recipe: It is made with common ingredients found in most grocery stores.
Classic and cozy flavors: A classic comfort meal that is rich and delicious.
Crockpot Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Use fresh, unfrozen chicken breasts in this crockpot chicken fettuccine alfredo.
Garlic powder: Provides a concentrated garlic flavor without the texture of fresh garlic.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme that adds a classic Italian flavor.
Chicken broth: Adds richness and depth to the sauce while helping to deglaze the pan and incorporate all the flavorful bits.
Salted butter: Gives a rich, creamy texture to the sauce, enhancing its overall flavor.
Garlic: Finely minced garlic adds a fragrant and robust flavor to the sauce.
Heavy cream: Provides a rich and luxurious texture to your crockpot fettuccine alfredo with chicken.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan adds a sharp, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce as it melts. Freshly grated is key versus store-bought shredded parmesan cheese.
Fettuccine: A classic pasta choice for this dish, with its wide ribbons perfectly holding onto the creamy sauce.
How to Make Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo in a Slow Cooker
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the chicken: Place chicken, seasonings, and chicken broth into a 6 or 7-quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook.
Shred the chicken: After cooking, shred the chicken with two forks and discard only 1 cup of the broth. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Set to warm and cover.
Cook the pasta: Cook the fettuccine according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Make the sauce: Melt the butter and whisk in the flour until smooth. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and milk, cooking until thick and bubbly.
Serve: Remove from heat and stir in the grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy. Add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker with the chicken, and pour the alfredo sauce on top. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Substitutions and Variations
Fresh garlic swap: The fresh minced garlic gives the alfredo sauce its flavor, but in a pinch, you could use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder instead.
Color and flavor: Pan sear the chicken breasts before adding them to the slow cooker for an added depth of flavor.
Boost with broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the fettuccine alfredo for a pop of green.
Vegetable additions: Mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes are yummy in this chicken alfredo in a crock pot.
Chicken breast swap: Boneless skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe, too.
Pasta alternatives: You can serve this chicken alfredo pasta with other long or short noodles like penne pasta.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start with a light tuna salad or this iceberg wedge salad.
Main: Serve your slow cooker fettuccine chicken alfredo with a fresh salad like this simple chopped salad.
Dessert: End with an old-fashioned rhubarb dessert with custard. A luscious lemon tart is another option.
How to Store Fettuccine Alfredo
Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Pop leftovers in a freezer-safe container and into the freezer for 2 or 3 months.
Thaw: Leave the frozen meal in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Warm up gently in the microwave.
Top Tips
Use fresh not frozen chicken: I do not recommend using frozen chicken. It’s best to thaw before cooking.
Freshly grated parmesan is key: Grate it directly from the block before adding it to your alfredo sauce. It’s easier to melt and tastes amazing.
Shredding chicken: For easier shredding, let the chicken cool slightly before using forks. You can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for quick shredding.
Thickening sauce: If the alfredo sauce isn’t thick enough, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce and thicken. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk.
Flavor boost: For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of white wine to the sauce.
Pasta cooking: Cook the fettuccine just until al dente; it will absorb some sauce and continue to soften when mixed with the sauce.
Creamy sauce: To avoid a lumpy sauce, whisk continuously when adding the cream and milk. This helps achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
Crockpot Fettuccine Alfredo FAQs
Yes! Cook the chicken on the stovetop in a skillet until fully cooked, then follow the recipe steps to make the Alfredo sauce and combine everything.
You can substitute store-bought alfredo sauce for the homemade version, but making your own allows for a richer, more customized flavor.
Feel free to use other types of pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti. Adjust the cooking time according to the pasta type.
Use gluten-free pasta and ensure that the flour in the sauce is substituted with a gluten-free flour blend. Double-check that the chicken broth and other ingredients are gluten-free.
Make sure to reduce the sauce long enough to thicken. If the sauce still seems too watery, let it simmer a bit longer before adding the cheese.
Slow Cooker Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Equipment
- Slow Cooker 6 or 7-quart
- Pot Large
- Saucepan Medium
Ingredients
- 1½ Pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 Teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 Teaspoon black pepper
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Cup chicken broth
- 8 Tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ Cup all purpose flour
- 2 Cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1½ Cups heavy cream
- 1 Cup whole milk
- 1½ Cups parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 Pound fettuccine
- fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the chicken, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and chicken broth to your slow cooker.
- Cover with the lid and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using 2 forks.
- Reserve a cup of broth from the slow cooker and discard the rest. Add shredded chicken back to the slow cooker. Turn it down to the warm setting and cover.
- Cook the fettuccine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour until there are no lumps.
- Add the garlic, remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Whisk to combine. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and milk, whisking until the sauce is thick and bubbly, about 5 or 6 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir to combine until the sauce is rich and creamy.
- Add the drained pasta to the slow cooker with shredded chicken, and then pour the alfredo sauce on top. Toss to combine.
- Top fettuccine alfredo with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Freshly grated parmesan is key: Grate it directly from the block before adding it to your alfredo sauce. It’s easier to melt and tastes amazing.
Shredding chicken: For easier shredding, let the chicken cool slightly before using forks. You can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for quick shredding.
Thickening sauce: If the alfredo sauce isn’t thick enough, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce and thicken. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk.
Flavor boost: For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of white wine to the sauce.
Pasta cooking: Cook the fettuccine just until al dente; it will absorb some sauce and continue to soften when mixed with the sauce.
Creamy sauce: To avoid a lumpy sauce, whisk continuously when adding the cream and milk. This helps achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
Nutrition
This slow cooker chicken fettuccine Alfredo will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. The sauce is delightfully creamy, light, and incredibly satisfying. Cooked slowly with garlic and savory seasonings, the chicken infuses the sauce with rich flavor. The pasta is then coated and mixed with the sauce, creating a hearty and comforting meal. If you’re a fan of slow cooker recipes, don’t miss this chicken alfredo recipe.
Other Chicken Recipes To Try
- Chicken caesar avocado wraps make a perfect yummy, filling, savory lunch.
- Try this hearty and delicious Mediterranean orzo chicken bowl for an easy summer meal.
- How about Mediterranean shrimp linguine one evening this week?
- Nothing can be more satisfying than the tropical flavors of this grilled chicken with pineapple salsa.
- Creamy lemon chicken thighs come out fall-apart tender and beautifully balanced.
- The coziest of cozy recipes: chicken with dumplings in a creamy sauce.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
The slow cooker chicken fettuccine alfredo was so creamy and flavorful—my family loved it!
This chicken alfredo is incredibly creamy and comforting—definitely a new weeknight favorite!
The best alfredo sauce I’ve had. I am excited to make it again!
We really liked this a lot! Will make it again. I used good quality fettuccini like the one linked.