Throw chicken breasts in the slow cooker and 4 other ingredients to get a meal so delicious your family will think you ordered takeout from their favorite Italian spot.

 This 5-ingredient slow cooker spinach artichoke chicken pasta is the kind of comforting, creamy dish that tastes like it came from a cozy little Italian place in town, even though you barely lifted a finger. It reminds me of the old church potlucks where someone would always bring a bubbling spinach artichoke dip, and folks would hover nearby with plates in hand. Here, that same flavor wraps around tender chicken and penne pasta. You simply lay raw chicken breasts in the slow cooker, tuck in a block of cream cheese and spinach, add a jar of sauce, and let time do the work. By supper, you’ll have a rich, restaurant-style meal that feels special but fits right into a busy weekday on the farm or in town.

Serve this creamy spinach artichoke chicken pasta in warm bowls with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese if you have it, and maybe a little cracked black pepper. A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette helps cut through the richness, and garlic bread or a crusty loaf is perfect for mopping up the extra sauce. If you like, pour a glass of chilled white wine or iced tea and finish the meal with something simple and homey, like sliced fresh fruit or a pan of brownies.

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5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Chicken Penne

Servings: 6

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese
1 (10-ounce) bag fresh baby spinach, loosely packed
1 (15-ounce) jar spinach artichoke pasta sauce or spinach artichoke dip-style pasta sauce
12 ounces dry penne pasta

Directions

Place the raw chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker insert.

Scatter the fresh baby spinach over and around the chicken, tucking some leaves down along the sides so they’re close to the heat.

Set the block of cream cheese on top of the chicken and spinach.

Pour the jar of spinach artichoke pasta sauce evenly over everything, making sure the chicken is mostly covered. Do not add water.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.

About 20 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.

While the pasta cooks, open the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the chicken right in the sauce. Stir well so the melted cream cheese, spinach, and sauce come together into a smooth, creamy mixture.

Add the drained, hot penne pasta directly into the slow cooker. Gently toss until all the pasta is coated in the creamy spinach artichoke chicken sauce.

Cover and let the pasta sit on WARM (or LOW, if your slow cooker has no WARM setting) for 5–10 minutes to let the flavors mingle and the sauce thicken slightly.

Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, straight from the slow cooker.

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Variations & Tips

If you can’t find a jar labeled specifically as spinach artichoke pasta sauce, use a jar of Alfredo or creamy garlic pasta sauce and stir in a few spoonfuls of jarred spinach artichoke dip before pouring it over the chicken. For a bit more color and sweetness, you can add a handful of sun-dried tomatoes or a drained jar of roasted red peppers along with the spinach, keeping the total ingredient count in mind if you’re not strict about the “5-ingredient” idea. Whole wheat or high-protein penne works nicely if you want a heartier, more filling dish. If your family prefers a looser, saucier pasta, reserve a little of the pasta cooking water and stir in a splash at the end to loosen the sauce. To make it extra comforting for company, transfer the finished pasta to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese, and broil for a few minutes until bubbly and lightly browned. Leftovers reheat well with a spoonful of milk or cream stirred in before warming on the stovetop or in the microwave.