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My go-to weeknight solution is this velvety Slow Cooker Angel Chicken. It's basically dinner on autopilot - juicy chicken soaked in a luscious Italian-inspired sauce, all poured over delicate angel hair pasta for a meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
I threw this together during one super busy week when I needed something that would cook by itself while I handled everything else. The amazing smell took over our house and my family immediately begged me to add it to our normal dinner lineup.
What You'll Need
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Around 1.5 pounds of juicy meat that soaks up all those wonderful flavors
- Cream cheese: Brings amazing creaminess and slight tang to your sauce
- Unsalted butter: Gives that smooth feel and rich taste
- Cream of chicken soup: Makes life easier and creates that smooth base
- Fresh garlic: Chopped up for that flavor foundation
- Chicken broth: Gets your sauce to just the right thickness
- Italian dressing mix packet: Packs tons of flavor without measuring a million spices
- Angel hair pasta: Boils up fast and grabs all that yummy sauce
- Fresh parsley: Optional for a pop of color and fresh taste
- Parmesan cheese: Optional for that savory kick and extra richness
How To Make Slow Cooker Angel Chicken
- Brown the Chicken:
- Get some vegetable oil hot in a cast iron pan on medium high heat until it's shimmery. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper then drop them in the hot pan. Cook about 2-3 minutes each side till they're golden. This step adds tons of flavor you can't get from just slow cooking alone.
- Mix the Sauce:
- In a bowl, stir together room temperature cream cheese and butter until they're completely smooth. Mix in cream of chicken soup, chopped garlic, chicken broth, and the Italian dressing packet. Keep stirring until everything's blended into a silky mixture. Using soft ingredients helps everything mix together perfectly.
- Slow Cook Everything:
- Give your slow cooker a quick spray with cooking spray so nothing sticks. Lay the browned chicken in a single layer on the bottom. Pour all that sauce over the chicken so it's totally covered. Put the lid on and cook on low for about 2.5-3 hours until chicken hits 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Finish with Pasta:
- About 10 minutes before you're ready to eat, get a big pot of salted water boiling. Cook the angel hair pasta following the package directions until it's just tender, usually only 4-5 minutes. Drain it well. You can either leave the chicken pieces whole or shred them up, then either mix the pasta right into the sauce or put pasta on plates and spoon chicken and sauce on top. Add some parsley, fresh pepper or Parmesan if you want.
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This dish always reminds me of Sundays at my grandma's where she'd spend forever making comfort food that brought the family together. I think the Italian dressing mix is the real trick here - it adds so many flavors that would normally need a whole cabinet of spices.
Make Ahead Options
You can totally make this chicken a full day ahead and keep it in the fridge. The flavors actually get better overnight which makes it taste amazing. Just warm it up gently on the stove or in the microwave until it's hot, and cook fresh pasta right before you eat for the best results.
Ingredient Substitutions
Though this dish works great as is, you can easily change things up based on what you have or need. Swap the cream cheese with Neufchâtel if you want something lighter, or try Greek yogurt for more tang. Turkey cutlets work just as well as chicken if that's your preference. If you need gluten-free, just use your favorite GF pasta and make sure to grab gluten-free cream of chicken soup. Don't have Italian dressing mix? Just use 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning plus 1 teaspoon each of garlic and onion powder instead.
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Low Sodium Considerations
Watching your salt? Go for low sodium or no sodium chicken broth and soup. The Italian dressing mix already has salt in it, so you probably won't need to add extra when cooking the chicken. Give the sauce a taste before serving and adjust the seasonings if needed.
Serving Suggestions
This dish goes great with simple green veggies. Try a fresh garden salad with a light dressing for a nice contrast to the rich sauce. Some garlic bread or crusty Italian loaf works wonders for soaking up all that delicious sauce. For a complete meal, add some roasted asparagus, broccoli, or green beans on the side to bring in color and nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How can I make sure the chicken stays tender?
Keep an eye on the cooking time. A meat thermometer is handy to ensure it reaches 165°F, so it’s just right.
- → Are there other options for the sauce ingredients?
Of course! Try swapping in low-fat cream cheese or using another soup type like cream of mushroom. Different broths can adjust the flavor, too.
- → What if I don’t have a crock pot?
No problem. Use a sturdy pot with a lid on low heat. It’ll cook just fine and stay flavorful.
- → Can I reduce the calories in this dish?
Sure! Use low-sodium broth, lighter cream cheese, and a butter substitute to trim down the calorie count.
- → What can I use for garnish?
Add a little flair with grated Parmesan, a sprinkle of parsley, or a dash of black pepper for extra flavor.