Crockpot Angel Chicken

Imagine coming home to the heavenly aroma of tender chicken bathing in a creamy, herb-infused sauce – that’s Crockpot Angel Chicken in all its comforting glory. This effortless slow cooker recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The chicken becomes impossibly tender while simmering in a rich sauce of cream cheese, mushrooms, and white wine (or substitute), creating a dish that’s perfect for both busy weeknights and special occasions. Serve it over pasta or mashed potatoes, and prepare for the compliments to roll in!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (or substitute with additional broth)
• 1 (4 oz) can sliced mushrooms, drained (or 1 cup fresh)
• 1 packet Italian dressing mix
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
• 12 oz angel hair pasta or egg noodles (for serving)

Instructions

1. Place chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together cream cheese, mushroom soup, chicken soup, broth, wine, mushrooms, Italian dressing mix, garlic powder, and pepper until smooth.
3. Pour sauce mixture over chicken, ensuring all pieces are covered.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
5. About 30 minutes before serving, cook pasta according to package directions.
6. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred or leave whole as preferred.
7. Stir sauce well and return chicken to the crockpot to keep warm.
8. Serve chicken and sauce over cooked pasta, garnished with fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

This comforting dish provides protein-rich satisfaction with creamy indulgence:

• Servings: 6
• Calories per serving: 580 kcal
• Protein: 42g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Fat: 25g (saturated: 11g)
• Calcium: 15% DV

Preparation Time

The beauty of this recipe lies in its hands-off cooking time:

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 4-7 hours (slow cooker)
• Total time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes

How to Serve

• Classic presentation over angel hair pasta or wide egg noodles
• Excellent with mashed potatoes or rice for variety
• Garnish with extra parsley and a sprinkle of paprika for color
• Pair with steamed green beans or roasted carrots
• Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce

Additional Tips

• For extra flavor, brown chicken in a skillet before adding to slow cooker
• Substitute Greek yogurt for cream cheese for a lighter version
• Add 1 cup frozen peas during last 30 minutes of cooking
• Double the sauce ingredients if you prefer extra creamy results
• Leftovers taste even better the next day – store sauce separately from pasta

Budgeting the Recipe

Crockpot Angel Chicken is remarkably budget-friendly, especially when using economical chicken thighs instead of breasts. The canned soups and dressing mix provide big flavor at minimal cost, while the cream cheese stretches to create a luxurious sauce. Buying chicken in family-size packages and freezing portions can further reduce costs. This meal feeds six generously for about the price of one restaurant entrée, making it an excellent choice for family dinners or potlucks where you want to impress without overspending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this recipe without wine?

A: Absolutely! Simply replace the wine with an equal amount of additional chicken broth.

Q: How can I prevent the chicken from drying out?

A: Using chicken thighs instead of breasts or checking for doneness at the minimum cook time helps prevent dryness.

Q: Can I freeze leftovers?

A: The chicken and sauce freeze well for up to 3 months, but cook fresh pasta when ready to serve.

Q: What if I don’t have Italian dressing mix?

A: Make your own with 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.

Q: Can I make this in an Instant Pot instead?

A: Yes! Use the sauté function to brown chicken, then pressure cook on high for 10 minutes with natural release.