There’s something incredibly comforting about a meal that combines creamy Alfredo, smoky BBQ, tender chicken, and spaghetti all in one pot. That’s exactly what makes the Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe a total game-changer—for busy nights and casual dinners alike.
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 Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
When I first tried this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe, I was blown away by how effortlessly all these bold flavors came together. The slow-cooked chicken soaks up the rich BBQ and creamy Alfredo sauce, then mingles perfectly with tender spaghetti—making dinner fully hands-off without losing any magic.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Creamy, cheesy, and smoky flavors combine in a way that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Toss everything in the Crock Pot and relax while it does the work for you.
- Big Crowd Pleaser: Perfect for feeding a family or entertaining friends without stress.
- Easy to Customize: You can tweak the BBQ sauce type, add more cheese, or swap pasta shapes to make it your own.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this recipe is carefully chosen to create that balance of smoky, creamy, and savory. From the tender chicken that soaks up flavor, to the heavy cream that makes the sauce luxuriously rich, these components come together like a well-rehearsed band.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: They cook evenly, stay tender, and absorb all the BBQ and Alfredo flavors perfectly.
- Chicken broth: Acts as a flavorful cooking liquid to keep the chicken moist and develop the base of the sauce.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps build a creamy texture in the sauce.
- Chopped garlic: Infuses a savory depth that brightens the dish without overpowering it.
- Salt and pepper: Basic seasoning that enhances all the other ingredients.
- Spaghetti noodles: The perfect pasta to hold onto the creamy, saucy goodness.
- Heavy cream: The secret to that ultra-smooth, indulgent Alfredo texture.
- BBQ sauce: Provides a smoky-sweet punch that elevates the dish beyond a typical creamy pasta.
- Shredded parmesan: Adds nutty, sharp flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
- Bacon strips (cooked and chopped): Brings crispy, salty contrast that pairs so well with BBQ chicken and creamy sauce.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this recipe by swapping the BBQ sauce or adding extra toppings. It’s a forgiving dish that invites your personal twist—so don’t hesitate to make it truly yours.
- Variation: One time I swapped regular BBQ sauce for a smoky chipotle one—added a nice kick that's delicious if you like spice.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: Try grilled portobello mushrooms instead of chicken, and swap bacon for smoked tempeh for a vegetarian-friendly version.
- Seasonal Boost: Toss in some sautéed bell peppers or spinach during the last 15 minutes for extra color and nutrients.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe
Step 1: Prep & Layer the Ingredients
Start by spraying your Crock Pot generously with cooking spray—this helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Place the chicken breasts flat in the bottom, then pour in the chicken broth and add the butter cubes on top. Sprinkle in the chopped garlic, salt, and pepper so those flavors seep into the chicken right from the start.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover your Crock Pot and set it to HIGH for 2 hours. You want the chicken to become perfectly tender and soak up all the broth and butter flavors. When done, carefully use tongs to transfer the chicken onto a cutting board—reserving the flavorful broth and butter inside the pot.
Step 3: Add Pasta and Sauces
Break the spaghetti noodles in half—this helps them cook evenly in your Crock Pot without clumping. Add the spaghetti to the pot, then pour in the heavy cream and BBQ sauce over it all. Give everything a gentle stir to combine, then cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking to keep the noodles separated.
Step 4: Slice Chicken & Mix It In
While the pasta cooks, slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces—whichever you prefer. When the 30 minutes are up, add the sliced chicken, parmesan cheese, and chopped bacon into the pot. Stir well so all that cheesy, smoky goodness folds into every strand of spaghetti.
Step 5: Final Cooking & Serve
Put the lid back on and cook for an additional 15 minutes on HIGH. This lets the cheese melt and flavors meld beautifully. When ready to serve, I like to drizzle a bit of extra BBQ sauce and sprinkle crispy chopped bacon right on top—adds that perfect finishing touch!
Top Tip
From making this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe several times, I’ve found a few simple tricks that really help the dish shine.
- Spaghetti Size Matters: Breaking the spaghetti noodles in half before adding them lets them cook more evenly and prevents long strands from clumping.
- Don’t Skip Stirring: About halfway through cooking the pasta, I always give it a gentle stir. It makes a big difference in keeping everything from sticking.
- Butter & Broth Are Key: Using butter cubes along with chicken broth adds richness and moisture that keeps the chicken juicy and the sauce silky.
- Cheese Timing: Add parmesan cheese at the end with the sliced chicken to keep it from overcooking and maintain its sharp flavor boost.
How to Serve Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe
Garnishes
Personally, I can’t resist topping mine with just a bit more chopped crispy bacon and a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce—this adds satisfying salty crunch and bright smoky sweetness that complements the creamy dish perfectly. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or basil feels fresh if you want a pop of color, too.
Side Dishes
I often serve this with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Sometimes roasted veggies like asparagus or green beans work great too—especially if you want a healthy balance on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I’ve served this in shallow pasta bowls with a sprig of fresh herbs and a little grated extra parmesan on top. It feels a bit fancy but is ridiculously easy and makes guests feel special without any extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making lunch or dinner the next day even better. Just be sure to cool it completely before refrigerating.
Freezing
This recipe freezes pretty well if you want to make a double batch. I recommend freezing it without the pasta initially—freeze the chicken and sauce mixture separately, then cook fresh pasta when reheating for the best texture.
Reheating
When reheating, I warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Stir often until heated through and creamy again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can use frozen chicken breasts, but add extra cooking time — usually about 30 minutes more on HIGH to ensure they’re fully cooked through. Just make sure to separate the pieces to avoid clumping.
I find a sweeter, smoky BBQ sauce like hickory or honey BBQ complements the creamy Alfredo perfectly, but feel free to use whatever you enjoy—it’s all about your flavor preference!
Yes, you can substitute the spaghetti noodles with gluten-free pasta. Just check the cooking times as some gluten-free pastas cook faster or slower—adjust cooking time accordingly.
Absolutely! Adding veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers in the last 15 minutes of cooking adds color, flavor, and nutrition without complicating the process.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort meals because it’s just so darn easy and satisfying. Sharing it with friends is always a hit—people love how it feels indulgent and homemade without hours in the kitchen. I really hope you give it a try and discover your own little joy in every creamy, smoky bite.
Print
Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Alfredo 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 comforting and creamy one-pot meal combining tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, smoky BBQ flavor, and crispy bacon over perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles. Slow-cooked to meld flavors beautifully, it’s an easy dinner that delivers hearty satisfaction with minimal effort.
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 the Crock Pot: Spray the inside of the Crock Pot well with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add Chicken and Seasonings: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the pot. Add chicken broth, butter cubes, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper over the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Place the lid on the Crock Pot and cook on HIGH for 2 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove Chicken: Use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a cutting board and set aside.
- Add Spaghetti and Liquids: Break the spaghetti noodles in half and add them to the pot. Pour in heavy cream and BBQ sauce.
- Cook Spaghetti: Replace the lid and continue cooking on HIGH for 30 minutes. Stir the spaghetti around the 15-minute mark to ensure even cooking.
- Slice Chicken: While the spaghetti cooks, slice the cooked chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: After 30 minutes, add sliced chicken, shredded parmesan, and chopped bacon to the pot. Stir everything well.
- Final Cook: Return the lid to the pot and cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Top with additional BBQ sauce and chopped bacon if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Breaking the spaghetti noodles in half helps them fit better in the Crock Pot and cook evenly.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken to avoid shredding the meat.
- For a richer sauce, stir in extra parmesan before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half and reduce butter slightly, though it may affect creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 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: 130 mg
Leave a Reply