Home » Easy Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo for a crowd

Easy Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo for a crowd

Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo is a crowd pleaser. This is not your classic chicken alfredo recipe but with a few simple ingredients and minimal cooking time you will have a new family favorite!

black crockpot full of chicken alfredo

I made this pasta dish for my daughters volleyball team. Youngest to oldest, everyone kept going back for more! I’m not sure if I can technically call it a “crock pot” meal, because I didn’t actually cook the food in the crock pot. I basically  kept it warm in my crock pot. Whatevs! I’m calling it a crock pot meal!

  • For a lighter version, use low-fat cream cheese and milk instead of heavy whipping cream.
  • Add steamed vegetables like broccoli or spinach to the dish for added nutrition.
  • If the sauce thickens too much in the crock pot, stir in a little hot water or additional milk to reach the desired consistency.
  • Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs before serving for added flavor.
  • Spice it up! If you like a little spice in your life at Red Pepper Flakes and garlic powder to your taste.
collage of a cooked chicken, bowl of cooked noodles, and whisk dripping with batter

While your chicken roasts, boil the cavatappi noodles, and make the rich creamy sauce then throw it all together in your crock pot on the warm setting. I kept mine on warm from 2-8pm while at a volleyball tournament.  It did get a little dry toward the end, but that didn’t stop people from going back for more.

Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free flour for the sauce and opt for gluten-free pasta.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, this is a great recipe to make to make ahead. Roast the chicken and prepare the sauce ahead of time, or the day before. Assemble in the crock pot when ready to serve and keep warm.

How long can I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

What are some vegetarian alternatives for the chicken?

For a vegetarian version, consider using roasted vegetables, such as broccoli or bell peppers, in place of chicken.

Can I freeze this Chicken Alfredo?

Yes, it freezes well. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Is it necessary to use a crock pot for this recipe?

No, a crock pot is used for convenience to keep the dish warm, but you can serve it immediately after cooking if preferred. Or you can place in a lasagna dish and bake at 350 for 30 minutes and serve as a Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake.

How can I prevent the Alfredo sauce from becoming too thick in the crock pot?

If the sauce thickens, stir in a bit of milk, pasta water, or chicken broth to reach the desired consistency.

What side dishes pair well with this Chicken Alfredo?

Garlic bread, a green salad, or steamed vegetables complement this dish nicely.

Can I use low-fat ingredients for a healthier version?

Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese, milk, and less butter for a lighter version of this recipe.

crockpot with steamy lid cooking alfredo

This recipe makes enough to feed 8 hungry volleyball players and their families so about 16 people give or take.

  • 1 Roast Chicken or store bought rotisserie chicken
  • 2 pounds Cavatappi Noodles
  • 1 stick Butter
  • 1 cube Land O Lakes Italian Herb Saute Express Butter
  • 1 cup all purpose Flour
  • 1 quart half & half
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 8 ounce brick Cream Cheese
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • Italian Herb Saute Express Butter: Substitute with 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning and 1 clove garlic, minced or grated.
  • Cavatappi Noodles: Any pasta like fettuccine or penne pasta can be used.
  • Half & Half: A mix of milk and cream can be used as a substitute.
  • Rotisserie Chicken: Works well and saves time and having to clean an extra pan! If you happen to have enough leftover chicken from a different recipe this is also acceptable.
  1. Roast Chicken: cut out back bone, lay chicken flat, skin side up,  in baking dish, drizzle with olive oil sprinkle with season salt. Bake at 425 degrees for 45 minutes. Or you can purchase a Roasted Rotisserie Chicken from you local grocery store this works! Remove meat from bones discard bones and skin.
  2. Cook paste to al dente. Meaning cooked pasta should have a bite to it. You DO NOT want to over cook the pasta.
  3. Layer cooked noodles and roasted chicken meat in crock pot.
  4. Alfredo Sauce: Melt butter in large skillet, over medium heat, add flour and whisk let bubble up, about 1 minute. Continue to whisk. Slowly pour in half & half turn stove down to medium low. Continue to cook and whisk until thick, add in cream cheese allow to melt, combine well. Add heavy whipping cream, and parmesan continue to cook another 3-5 minutes on low heat. If sauce seems too thick add pasta water until it’s the consistency you desire. Whisk in nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Pour sauce over pasta and chicken, stir to combine. Turn crock pot on the warm or lowest setting.

NOTE: You can also serve immediately as is, this does not have to be served as a crock pot meal. I used a 7 quart Hamilton Beach slow cooker.

mound of chicken alfredo with a fork next to it
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Gently reheat in a saucepan over low heat, adding a bit of milk or water to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also reheat it in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until heated through.

Do you have a hungry crowd to feed? Add garlic bread and a salad, some brownies for dessert and you could throw this whole meal together in an hour or less!  I know what I’m making the next time it’s my turn to feed the youth group! Have a great weekend!  XOX Sheila

P.S. don’t forget to print out the recipe card below!

Chicken Alfredo for a Crowd

Savor this delicious Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo recipe, perfect for feeding a crowd with its creamy sauce and tender chicken.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 16 people
Calories 700 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Roast Chicken
  • 2 pounds Cavatappi Noodles cooked al dente (reserve 1 cup of water from boiling noodles)
  • 1 stick Butter
  • 1 cube Land O Lakes Italian Herb Saute Express Butter if you cannot find substitute 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning and 1 clove garlic minced very fine or grated
  • 1 cup Flour
  • 1 quart half & half
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 8 ounce brick Cream Cheese
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Roast Chicken: cut out back bone, lay chicken flat, skin side up, in baking dish, drizzle with olive oil sprinkle with season salt. Bake at 425 degrees for 45 minutes. Or you can purchase a Roasted Chicken from you local grocery store this works! Remove meat from bones discard bones and skin.
  • Layer cooked noodles and roasted chicken meat in crock pot.
  • Alfredo Sauce: Melt butters in large saucepan, add flour and whisk let bubble up, about 1 minute. Continue to whisk. Slowly pour in half & half turn stove down to medium low. Continue to cook and whisk until thick, add in cream cheese allow to melt, combine well. Add heavy cream, and parmesan continue to cook another 3-5 minutes on low heat. If sauce seems too thick add pasta water until it’s the consistancy you desire. Whisk in nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pour sauce over pasta and chicken, stir to combine. Turn crock pot on the warm or lowest setting.

Notes

You can also serve immediately as is, this does not have to be served as a crock pot meal. I used a 7 quart Hamilton Beach slow cooker.

Nutrition

Calories: 700kcal
Keyword chicken alfredo
Tried this recipe?Mention @eat2gather or tag #eat2gather!

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17 Comments

  1. I am really looking forward to making this tomorrow night for a family birthday party gathering! It sounds perfect!
    Do you know of a substitute for the cube of Land o lakes Italian herb sauté express butter? I’ve been to two stores looking for it and was told they no longer make it. I’ve never used it so don’t know what I should use in its place. Thanks in advance!

    1. Deborah, I am so sorry for the delayed response. I think (obviously that they quick making this compound butter) I would add a tablespoon of Italian seasoning and 1 clove of garlic grated or minced very very fine. Enjoy!Sheila

  2. When you say ” Layer cooked noodles and roasted chicken meat in crock pot “, do you mean something like pasta/chicken/pasta/chicken or just chicken then the pasta on top ( or vice versa ) ?

    1. More like pasta chicken pasta chicken, so when you dig into you get a bit of all of it! Thanks for asking, I hope you enjoy!

    1. Jenny, I make this quite often for the volleyball team, so 12-15. Hope this helps! Thanks for stopping by, Sheila

  3. This looks fantastic! Do you think it could be given as a freezer meal? Our pastor’s wife just had a baby (#5), and they love Alfredo! If it would work as freezer, what do you think would be good instructions?

    1. Brittney, I have never frozen this meal, so I can’t say for sure that it would hold up perfectly. My gut is that it would work. I would instructions would be to let thaw, and cook in a 375 degree oven until bubbly. Let me know how it works. Have a great weekend! Sheila

    1. Exactly! I came up with it after being assigned the “main dish” for my daughters volleyball tournament. You can only eat so much taco, and pulled pork. It ended up being a hit! Thanks for stopping by!

    1. You are very welcome! Will Spring ever come? I agree with you; pasta is my comfort food. Keep warm!

  4. My family loves this recipe. I have never thought to make it in the crock pot like you did. What a great idea. Coming over from your FB page to invite you to our Foodie Friends Friday linky party this week. Would love to have you join us with this recipe! We feature, we pin, we share!