Crock Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
This Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is a classic dish and a favorite for good reason – it’s creamy, flavorful, and packed with protein and veggies. It uses simple kitchen ingredients and comes together in no time!
To make this slow cooker garlic chicken alfredo, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients: chicken breast, broccoli, pasta, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, garlic, and butter.
The hands on time for this dish is so small and all of the cooking time is done in the slow cooker, which makes this the perfect meal for those busy weeknights!
For more weeknight meal ideas, be sure to check out my Italian tortellini soup, delicious cheeseburger soup, or my easy Italian pasta sauce.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker chicken Alfredo
Preparing a delicious chicken broccoli alfredo dish requires the right ingredients.
Since they are things you, most likely, have in your kitchen already, this makes it one of the best crockpot meals!
- Chicken Breasts– You may use chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs. I prefer thighs because I think you get a more tender chicken, but use whatever you have on hand!
- Chicken Broth
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Cream Cheese– This gives you a rich creamy alfredo sauce and mixes right in with the broth as the dinner cooks.
- Butter
- Garlic– I used garlic powder, but feel free to use garlic paste or minced garlic.
- Broccoli– Frozen works great for this.
- Parmesan Cheese
When selecting your ingredients, consider using frozen broccoli or chopped broccoli for convenience. You can also use alternative pasta options such as zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a healthier twist on the classic recipe.
How to Make Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
If you’re looking for a satisfying and flavorful meal, crock pot chicken broccoli alfredo is a great option. This dish is easy to make and can be customized to your liking.
Here’s how to make it:
- Place Ingredients in your Slow Cooker– Add your raw chicken to the bottom of your slow cooker. Place your broth, heavy cream, block of cream cheese, seasonings, and butter on top of the chicken. Cook on high for four hours or until chicken is cooked through.
- Shred the chicken– After 4 hours, shred your juicy chicken and put it back into the crock pot. Add your broccoli and pasta and cook on high for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the pasta is al dente.
- Top with Cheese– When the pasta is tender, top with shredded parmesan cheese. Season with lots of salt and black pepper to your preferred taste and enjoy!
Pasta Cooking Methods
You may cook your pasta in a large pot of boiling salt water until al dente. Or, you may add it to the slow cooker and let it cook with the rest of the ingredients.
Alfredo Sauce Alternative
If you would rather use a jar sauce, you may do so.
Cook your chicken and broccoli in a medium sauce pan on the stove until the chicken is cooked through and the broccoli is soft.
Add the chicken and broccoli to a large bowl and dump sauce over the top of the chicken.
The beauty of a good slow cooker meal is that you can avoid all of these steps with very little effort, but do what works for you.
It all depends upon what you have in your pantry!
Either way, this is a very easy recipe.
Cooking Methods and Equipment
Slow Cooker Mastery
When it comes to making chicken broccoli alfredo, the slow cooker is an excellent option for those who want to save hands on cooking time and effort.
This method allows you to put all the ingredients in the crockpot and let it cook for several hours, resulting in a delicious and creamy meal.
To make crockpot chicken alfredo, you will need a few essential ingredients, including chicken breasts, broccoli florets, homemade alfredo sauce ingredients, and chicken broth.
You can find these ingredients in your local grocery store.
To cook the meal, you will need to place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour the alfredo sauce ingredients and chicken broth over them.
Stir the mixture well and cook on low heat for six to eight hours or high for four hours.
Once the chicken is cooked, shred it and mix it with the sauce and broccoli.
Alternative Cooking Options
If you don’t have a slow cooker or want to try something different, there are other cooking methods you can use to make chicken broccoli alfredo.
One option is to cook the chicken and broccoli on the stovetop and mix it with the alfredo sauce.
To do this, you will need to cook the chicken and broccoli separately and then mix them together with the alfredo sauce.
You can also add other ingredients to the dish, such as garlic, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes, to give it more flavor.
Another alternative cooking option is to bake the chicken and broccoli in the oven and then mix it with the alfredo sauce.
This method is straight-forward and requires minimal effort. You can also use a grill to cook the chicken and broccoli if you prefer a smoky flavor.
You may also use leftover chicken if you have some in your refrigerator!
Either way, this will be a fast family favorite!
What to Serve with Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
When it comes to serving Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, there are many options that can complement the dish and elevate its flavors.
Here are a few suggestions to help you decide what to serve with your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo:
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is a classic side dish that pairs well with any Italian-inspired meal, including Chicken Broccoli Alfredo. The warm, toasty bread with a crispy crust and a soft center, topped with garlic butter, adds a delicious crunch to the creamy pasta dish. You can make your own garlic bread at home or purchase it from your local bakery.
Favorite Side Dish
If you have a favorite recipe that you love to pair with Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, go for it!
Whether it’s a simple green salad or a more complex side dish like roasted vegetables, your favorite recipe can add a personal touch to your meal and make it more enjoyable.
Healthy Recipes
If you’re looking for a healthier option to serve with your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, consider adding a side of fresh vegetables or a salad. Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans are all great options that can balance out the richness of the Alfredo sauce and provide some much-needed nutrients.
Fresh Parsley
Adding fresh parsley to your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo can not only add a pop of color to your plate but also enhance the flavors of the dish.
The bright, herbaceous flavor of parsley can complement the garlic and Parmesan in the Alfredo sauce, making for a more complex and satisfying meal.
How to Store Leftovers
After enjoying your homemade crock pot chicken alfredo, you may have some leftovers that you want to save for later.
Here are some tips for storing your leftovers properly:
- Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. This will help prevent air from getting in and causing the food to spoil faster.
- Label the container with the date that you stored the leftovers. This will help you keep track of how long the food has been in the fridge.
- Store the container in the refrigerator as soon as possible. Leaving food out at room temperature for too long can cause bacteria to grow.
- Your chicken broccoli alfredo should be good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer than that, consider freezing it.
- To freeze, transfer the leftovers to a freezer-safe container. Label the container with the date and contents. Your chicken broccoli alfredo should be good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- When you’re ready to eat your leftovers, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stove, stirring occasionally, until they’re heated through.
Crock Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Recipe
Crock Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker,
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 2½ cups heavy cream
- 1 block 8 ounces cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounce bag frozen broccoli
- 12 ounces pasta of choice, choose a good brand of pasta
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add your chicken breasts to the bottom of your slow cooker. Top with chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, butter, and seasonings.Cook on high for 4 hours.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, pull it out of the crock pot and shred it. Place the shredded chicken back in the slow cooker.Add in your broccoli and pasta. Cook for 1 hour or until the pasta is al denté.
- Top with shredded parmesan cheese and enjoy!
Can this be cooked on high if pressed for time??
Hi! This looks delicious. Just wondering if the last hour in the slow cooker is at high or low? Thank you!