There’s something unbelievably cozy about a creamy, cheesy pasta infused with tangy BBQ flavors. That’s exactly why the Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort dinners—it blends the best of BBQ and creamy Alfredo in a way that just melts in your mouth.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I got hooked on this Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe the first time I made it because it takes the fuss out of dinner while delivering rich, smoky, and creamy flavors that the whole family loves. Plus, it’s a breeze to prep and lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.
- Set-it-and-forget-it ease: You can get everything in the Crock Pot, then walk away for a couple of hours—no standing over the stove.
- Unexpected flavor combo: Tangy BBQ sauce meets creamy Alfredo, giving you a delightful contrast that’s both comforting and exciting.
- Perfect crowd-pleaser: Whether it’s a busy weeknight or casual get-together, this dish always disappears fast.
- Customizable with ease: Add your favorite toppings or swap ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary needs.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic really starts with good-quality ingredients that come together simply but beautifully. I’ve found that when you balance the creaminess of the Alfredo with smoky bacon and zesty BBQ sauce, the dish sings. Here’s why each one is important to this Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: They cook evenly in the crock pot, shreds nicely, and soak up all the saucy goodness.
- Chicken broth: Adds a subtle depth of flavor and helps keep the chicken moist during slow cooking.
- Butter: Melds with the cream for a silky texture that feels indulgent without being heavy.
- Garlic: Brings a lovely aromatic punch that perks up the whole dish without overpowering it.
- Salt & pepper: Essential seasoning to make all the flavors pop.
- Spaghetti noodles: Broken in half so they cook and absorb the sauce perfectly in the Crock Pot.
- Heavy cream: The Alfredo base that creates that luscious, rich sauce we all crave.
- BBQ sauce: Your favorite smoky, tangy variety makes all the difference here—choose one you love!
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor that enhances the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Bacon strips: Cooked and chopped for irresistible crunch and smoky depth.
Make It Your Way
I love that you can easily put your unique spin on this Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe. Whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself, a few tweaks can elevate the dish or tailor it to what you have on hand.
- Variation: Swap out chicken breasts for thighs if you want juicier meat, or even try turkey breast for a lighter option—I’ve done both and loved how the flavors still shine through.
- Dietary tweak: Use gluten-free spaghetti noodles or a dairy-free cream substitute to accommodate allergies without losing much of that creamy magic.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne if you like a little heat; it balances the BBQ sweetness perfectly.
- Extra veggies: Toss in sliced mushrooms or bell peppers halfway through cooking to sneak in a veggie boost.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Step 1: Layering Flavors
Start by spraying the Crock Pot with cooking spray—that helps prevent sticking later. Then, arrange your chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom. Pour in the chicken broth so the chicken stays moist and gets infused with flavor. Dot the butter over the chicken, sprinkle the chopped garlic, salt, and pepper evenly. This simple layering step creates the foundation for deep, rich flavors that make this dish special.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken
Put the lid on and set your Crock Pot to HIGH. Let the chicken cook for about 2 hours, which is enough time for it to get tender and juicy. You can check around the 1.5-hour mark if you like, but resist the urge to lift the lid too often—it keeps the heat steady.
Step 3: Prep Spaghetti & Sauces
When the chicken is done, carefully remove it with tongs and set it aside on a cutting board—the Crock Pot is ready for the pasta and sauce. Break your spaghetti noodles in half—you’ll thank me later when they fit perfectly and cook evenly in the pot. Add those noodles right on top of the flavorful liquid, then pour in the heavy cream and your BBQ sauce. Stir gently to combine.
Step 4: Let the Spaghetti Cook
Put the lid back on and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. About halfway through (around 15 minutes), give everything a gentle stir. This keeps the noodles from sticking and makes sure the creamy BBQ sauce gets everywhere.
Step 5: Add Chicken, Cheese & Bacon
While the spaghetti cooks, slice that tender chicken you set aside. Once the 30 minutes is up, add the chicken slices, shredded Parmesan, and chopped cooked bacon back into the Crock Pot. Stir it all together, then cover and cook for another 15 minutes so the flavors meld perfectly.
Step 6: Final Touches
Before serving, I like to drizzle a little extra BBQ sauce on top and sprinkle on more chopped bacon for crunch and smoky goodness. It’s those finishing details that turn this meal into something downright irresistible.
Top Tip
From the many times I’ve made this Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe, the timing and layering matter most. These tips will keep your dinner silky, flavorful, and perfectly cooked every time.
- Don’t lift the lid too much: It slows down cooking and can dry out your chicken—trust the process!
- Break the noodles: This simple trick helps spaghetti fit and cook evenly in the Crock Pot without clumping.
- Use a good BBQ sauce: The sauce really shines here, so choose one with the right balance of sweet and tangy for your taste.
- Stir halfway through pasta cooking: Keeps the noodles from sticking and ensures everything cooks uniformly.
How to Serve Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I never skip a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for color and a final pop of freshness. A little extra shredded Parmesan and crispy bacon crumbles on top take it over the edge in flavor—and everyone always asks for seconds!
Side Dishes
This dish is rich and filling, so I enjoy pairing it with simple sides like a crisp green salad with vinaigrette or steamed green beans to add some crunch and lightness to the meal balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun gathering, try serving the Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti in a large rustic serving bowl with sides of extra BBQ sauce and bacon so guests can customize their portions. For a cozy family dinner, individual bowls with a sprinkle of fresh herbs make it feel special without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, which honestly makes leftover lunches even better than the first meal!
Freezing
This recipe freezes well. I portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When thawed, the creamy sauce may thicken a bit, but a splash of milk when reheating restores that silky texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I gently warm leftovers in a saucepan on low heat, stirring occasionally. Adding a little milk or cream helps bring back the saucy, creamy consistency without drying the pasta or chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Just make sure to increase the initial cooking time to about 3 to 4 hours on HIGH to ensure the chicken is fully cooked before adding the spaghetti and other ingredients.
I recommend a balanced BBQ sauce that’s not overly sweet or spicy, so it complements the creamy Alfredo without overpowering it. A smoky hickory or classic Kansas City-style BBQ sauce works beautifully.
You can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free alternative and use a vegan Parmesan alternative. The flavor will change slightly but it’s still delicious and comforting.
You can adapt the recipe to a slow cooker or even a large deep pan on the stovetop. Just cook the chicken gently with the broth and butter first, then add the pasta, cream, and BBQ sauce, adjusting liquid and cooking time to ensure the pasta cooks without drying out.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is one of those dishes that’s truly special because it’s so simple yet packed with bold flavor and creamy satisfaction. It’s become a dish I recommend to friends who want a fuss-free meal that still feels like a hug on a plate. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite slow cooker recipe!
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Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crock Pot BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, flavorful one-pot meal combining tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, tangy BBQ, and crispy bacon, all slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for a comforting family dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup butter, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles
- 3 cups heavy cream
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup shredded parmesan
- 6 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
Optional Toppings
- Additional BBQ sauce
- Additional cooked and chopped bacon
Instructions
- Prepare Crock Pot: Spray the inside of the Crock Pot well with cooking spray to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.
- Layer Chicken and Seasoning: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer on the bottom of the pot. Add chicken broth, butter cubes, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper over the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 2 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove and Slice Chicken: Carefully transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a cutting board using tongs. Set aside and slice into pieces.
- Add Pasta and Sauce Ingredients: Break the spaghetti noodles in half and add them to the Crock Pot. Pour in the heavy cream and BBQ sauce.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. Stir the spaghetti gently once about halfway through cooking, after 15 minutes, to prevent sticking.
- Add Chicken, Cheese, and Bacon: After 30 minutes of pasta cooking, add the sliced chicken, shredded parmesan, and cooked chopped bacon to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Final Cooking: Return the lid and cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
- Serve: Optionally top with additional BBQ sauce and chopped bacon before serving. Enjoy your creamy, hearty BBQ Alfredo Chicken Spaghetti!
Notes
- Breaking spaghetti in half helps it fit better in the Crock Pot and cook evenly.
- Stirring midway during pasta cooking prevents noodles from clumping or sticking to the pot.
- Cook bacon ahead and chop to add a crunchy, smoky flavor to the dish.
- Use full-fat heavy cream for the creamiest sauce texture.
- Feel free to adjust BBQ sauce amount to taste for desired tang and sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
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