Here’s a delicious Creamy Chicken & Shells Slow Cooker Meal—comforting, creamy, and perfect for hands-off cooking.
🍲 Creamy Chicken & Shells (Slow Cooker)
🧂 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 250g medium pasta shells
- 1–1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas or spinach for veggies
- Fresh parsley for garnish
🔪 Instructions
1. Prepare the base
- Place chicken, onion, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4–5 hours (or high 2–3 hours) until chicken is cooked through and tender.
2. Shred the chicken
- Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the slow cooker.
3. Add pasta and cream
- Stir in pasta shells, cream, and frozen vegetables if using.
- Cover and cook on high for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
4. Add cheese
- Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
5. Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
🌟 Tips
- Avoid overcooking pasta: Add shells toward the last 30 minutes for best texture.
- Extra flavor: Use garlic powder, onion powder, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
- Make it lighter: Substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream.
If you want, I can give a spicy South Asian twist on this slow-cooker chicken & shells meal with a creamy masala sauce—it’s aromatic and comforting.
Do you want me to do that?
