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I have a fun and unique recipe for you today! The Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta is cheesy, spicy, and unexpectedly delicious. I saw a version of this recipe from The Magical Slow Cooker on Pinterest and just knew that I had to recreate it. Mine is a little less spicy than her version– perfect for kids who can’t handle an ounce of spice!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta
I love a pantry staple recipe, and this is one of them! You’ll only need 3 fresh ingredients to make this delicious pasta.
- chicken breast
- salt
- pepper
- chili powder
- cumin
- oregano
- red enchilada sauce (I like Las Palmas brand, but you can use your favorite)
- can green chiles
- pasta (any pasta will work, so use your favorite cut, but I like penne)
- cheddar cheese
- sour cream (seems weird for pasta but it works, I promise!)
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta
To your slow cooker (if you don’t have one you need one, STAT), add the chicken, seasonings, enchilada sauce, and green chiles. Give that all a good stir and cover. You’ll want to cook that on low for 6 hours or on high for 4. Set a timer and walk away!
Once your timer is almost up, cook your pasta according to the package directions. Strain that with my favorite pasta strainer (it’s kind of a life saver) and set the pasta aside.
Shred your cooked chicken straight in your slow cooker. You can use two forks like your mom did it, but my favorite way is to use a hand mixer to shred it up super easily. You’ll add the pasta, sour cream, and cheese to the slow cooker, and let that all warm up together until the flavors meld and the cheese and sour cream are melted. Serve with your favorite taco toppings on top, if you’d like!
Can I Make this into a Freezer Meal?
You can 100% make this into a freezer meal. All you have to do is add the chicken, seasonings, enchilada sauce, and green chiles to a freezer bag and freeze! When ready to prepare, follow the instructions I’ve provided in the recipe card below.
I’ve also learned a lot over my years of making freezer meals.
- Use freezer gallon-sized bags. Normal bags tend to rip once frozen.
- Use bag holders to make it easier to fill the bags.
- If you don’t have bag holders, you can place the bag into a large drink pitcher to help hold the bag up.
- Write on the label what the recipe is, the date you prepared it, how long to cook it for, if you have to add any ingredients, and what to serve with the meal. This will keep you from pulling out a bag of mystery meat and having no idea what to do with it!
- For chicken recipes, place in the fridge overnight so it can thaw.
- If you cook from frozen, you can run the bag under hot water for a few seconds to loosen up the food so it is easy to pour out of the bag.
- Make sure you take the food out of the plastic bag before cooking! Didn’t think I needed to say that but I get asked all the time, haha.
- Freezer meals last for about 3 months in the freezer, so make sure you’re checking your dates.
Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes
If you’re digging this slow cooker pasta recipe, I have a ton more that I love to make! They’re so easy, so delicious, and so comforting, especially when the weather is cold.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta
4-5
servings15
minutes4-6
hoursThe Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta is cheesy, spicy, and unexpectedly delicious. Prep it in the morning and it will be ready come dinner time.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 lb 1 chicken breast
1 tsp 1 salt
1/2 tsp 1/2 pepper
1 tsp 1 chili powder
1 tsp 1 cumin
1 tsp 1 oregano
28 oz 28 red enchilada sauce
4 oz 4 can green chiles
16 oz 16 pasta
1 cup 1 cheddar cheese
3/4 cup 3/4 sour cream
toppings like cheese, sour cream, shredded lettuce, avocado, and diced tomatoes
Directions
- To a slow cooker, add the chicken, seasonings, enchilada sauce, and green chiles. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, or until chicken is cooked.
- Once the chicken is almost cooked through, bring a large pot of water to a boil over the stove and cook the pasta according to the box instructions. Strain and set aside.
- Shred the cooked chicken into small pieces with two forks, then stir in the cheese and sour cream. Stir in the pasta and serve with your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy!
- Freezer Meal Directions
- Place the chicken, seasonings, enchilada sauce, and green chilis into a large freezer bag, release any air, and seal the bag. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. Place into the slow cooker and follow the cooking instructions above. Make sure to add the cheese and sour cream in at the end and serve over cooked pasta.
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Another big hit with the family, my husband went for seconds lol thank you Julia <3
This is the first recipe I tried after getting your cookbook. It was delicious except I used 1 tsp salt, as called for in the recipe, and it was way too salty for me. When I make it again, I will either omit the salt or greatly reduce it. Otherwise, it is delicious and easy.
I believe this is my new favorite slow cooker recipe. Loved it!
Can’t wait to try this delicious looking recipe!
Do you have a substitute recommendation for the sour cream?
Softened cream cheese
Plain yogurt or plain Greek yogurt
Cottage cheese
Mayo
Super easy recipe and perfect for a cold, snowy day! Added fresh cilantro with a dollop of sour cream and fresh chopped tomatoes on top, The whole family loved it.
Havent tried yet, but plan to. Is it necessary to thaw overnight ir can it be cooked from frozen? I have a super long work day, so it would be in the crock longer than the time you said anyway.
So so good! I doubled the recipe and thank god we have a big crockpot! It was almost full to the very top. I used garden rigatoni as the pasta. Next time I’ll add a bell pepper or two just for added veggies! Love this recipe, absolutely a staple for our family now even though my toddler won’t eat it haha
Woops, meant garden rotini! 😉 This would make a great freezer meal to dump in a bag as well. Will probably be doing that! Obviously you wouldn’t add the pasta, cheese or sour cream. TY Julia for this recipe!
Looks so good! Thank you for making this!