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Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Pasta Bake Recipe Easy and Crispy Topping

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A creamy and comforting slow cooker chicken Caesar pasta bake with a crispy breadcrumb topping, perfect for cozy dinners and easy meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 ounces uncooked penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 cup Caesar dressing
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place them at the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth and Caesar dressing evenly.
  3. Add the uncooked pasta on top of the chicken and liquids without stirring; spread evenly.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and pasta is tender but not mushy. Check at 3 hours to avoid overcooking.
  5. Using two forks, shred the chicken in the slow cooker and mix gently with the pasta and sauce.
  6. Stir in the sour cream, grated Parmesan, and lemon juice. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, and a handful of Parmesan. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated.
  8. Transfer the pasta bake to a buttered oven-safe dish if the slow cooker insert is not oven-proof. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
  9. Place under a preheated broiler or in a 400°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the topping is golden and crispy. Watch closely to prevent burning.
  10. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.

Notes

Check pasta at 3 hours to avoid overcooking. Use rigatoni for more texture. For gluten-free, use gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt and use dairy-free Caesar dressing. Broil topping carefully to avoid burning. Leftovers reheat well and topping can be crisped again under broiler.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, chicken, Caesar, pasta bake, creamy, casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, crispy topping

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/creamy-slow-cooker-chicken-caesar-pasta-bake-recipe-easy-and-crispy-topping/