Another creamy and comforting recipe that you can make easily in your slow cooker or crockpot is this Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta that you can prepare with minimal effort and cleanup, made with chorizo, chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and heavy cream.

This flavorful Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta recipe is perfect for dinner, taking about 3 hours and 15 minutes to prepare, and serves up to 6 people.

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Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta Ingredients

• 100 grams of chorizo, cut into slices
• 3 chicken breasts, chopped into pieces
• 2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato pesto
• A handful of sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil
• 650 milliliters of hot chicken broth
• 350 grams of dried penne pasta
• 250 milliliters of heavy cream
• 200 grams of fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper, adjusted to your liking
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishing

How To Make Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta

1. Brown the Chorizo: Heat a non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add the sliced chorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, releasing its flavorful oils. This step adds depth, but you can skip it if short on time.
2. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the browned chorizo, chopped chicken, sun-dried tomato pesto, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sliced garlic, and dried basil into your slow cooker. Pour in 1/2 cup (150ml) of chicken broth, stirring well to combine, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the Base Mixture: Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 2.5 hours. This allows the chicken to absorb the rich flavors of the chorizo, pesto, and seasonings.
4. Add Pasta and Remaining Broth: After 2.5 hours, stir in the dried penne pasta and the remaining 2 cups (500ml) of hot chicken broth. Continue cooking on high for 45 minutes, stirring halfway to ensure even cooking and prevent the pasta from sticking.
5. Incorporate Cream and Spinach: Once the pasta is tender, pour in the heavy cream and add the fresh spinach. Stir well, allowing the spinach to wilt and blend into the creamy sauce within a few minutes.
6. Serve and Garnish: Spoon the creamy chicken and chorizo pasta into serving bowls. Top each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra savory touch.

Recipe Tips

• Add a smoky kick: For extra smokiness, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the slow cooker during the initial cooking phase with the chicken and chorizo.
• Use chicken thighs instead: Swap chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer juicier meat. Thighs bring more tenderness, especially in slow-cooked dishes like this one.
• Boost with more veggies: To add extra nutrients, toss in diced bell peppers or zucchini alongside the spinach. These vegetables soften perfectly in the slow cooker’s gentle heat.
• Choose your pasta wisely: Short pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli work best as they hold the sauce well. Avoid delicate pasta like spaghetti, as it may overcook and become mushy.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Slow Cooker pasta Recipes:

• Bored of Lunch Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chicken Pasta
• 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
• Slow Cooker Salmon Orzo Pasta