Crockpot Chicken Pasta comes together in under 5 minutes then cooks for 2 hours. This kid-friendly crockpot meal is simple and delicious, a Mexican-inspired zesty pasta dish that even the pickiest of eaters are sure to enjoy. Gluten-free.
It is one of the best recipes for busy nights when the family is running in many directions. This meal can be left to cook then is ready to serve as soon as everyone sits down around the table. We share our secrets to keeping this meal quick and easy below!
If on the search for more gluten-free pasta recipes, we have you covered with our Gluten Free Pasta Salad, Ground Chicken Pasta, Baked Chicken Ziti and Gluten-Free Baked Ziti with Sausage.

Crockpot Pasta with Chicken
On busy nights sometimes it’s necessary to utilize prepackaged or canned goods to help get dinner ready. Together, canned goods and your crockpot are the perfect solutions for those busy back-to-school nights.
With under 10 ingredients, this crockpot pasta is a quick dinner idea, perfect for on-the-go nights.
Did you know you can cook pasta right in the crockpot? Keep reading to find out how. It is one of our favorite tips for cooking in a slow cooker.
For more kid-friendly crockpot meals try our favorite crockpot lasagna, chicken drumsticks, potato soup, or chicken and noodles.

Ingredients
- 2 9.75 cans chicken ✅
- 24 ounces jar spaghetti sauce ✅
- 24 ounces jar salsa ✅
- 29 ounces can tomato sauce ✅
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth ✅
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces gluten free pasta
- 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ✅
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese ✅
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.



How To Make
In three simple steps, this crockpot recipe is prepped, cooked and ready to serve. Follow the written instructions or use the printable recipe card below. Enjoy!
Add the ingredient to the slow cooker
To get started, add chicken, spaghetti sauce, salsa, tomato sauce, broth, garlic, and dry pasta to the crock pot.
For this dish, we used canned chicken. It’s already cooked and ready to use, simply open the can. It also happens to be low fat and qualifies as heart-healthy. It’s a great product to keep in your pantry for grab-and-go meals.
Kitchen Tip: You can use any leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken if you have it on hand.
For salsa, we use Pace® as it is our favorite because it has a nice southwestern flavor and is made with handpicked veggies.
Cook
Cook on low for 1.5-2 hours. You can also cook the sauce all day then add the pasta 1.5 hours before serving.
*If using wheat pasta cook on low for 3-4 hours. Regular pasta holds up longer in a slow cooker.
Serve
Gently stir in shredded cheeses just before serving.


Variations
- Turn the recipe into chicken spaghetti by using gluten-free spaghetti noodles or spaghetti squash
- Swap ground beef, pork, sausage or turkey for the chicken
- Stir in extra veggies like fresh tomatoes, diced zucchini, roasted broccoli or steamed asparagus before serving
- Try Swiss or provolone in place of the cheddar cheese

Frequently Asked Questions
Serve in a bowl topped with more shredded cheese or fresh vegetables if desired. We will also sprinkle fresh ground black pepper over the top for a boost of flavor.
Our go-to recipes include Gluten Free Dinner Rolls, Roasted Frozen Cauliflower, Gluten Free Rolls, Roasted Frozen Broccoli, Italian Zucchini Tots, Brussels Sprout Apple Salad or Veggie Nuggets.
How To Store Leftovers
This is a kid-friendly crockpot meal perfect for back-to-school. Your kids will request this one over and over again. Storing the leftovers is an easy way to have this meal ready to serve any time it is requested!
Once completely cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. Reheat in the microwave in increments until hot.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Pack leftovers in a thermos to eat at school the next day
- You can use different gluten-free noodle shapes if you would like
- Make vegetarian by creating this recipe without chicken
More Crockpot Recipes
- Crockpot Santa Fe Chicken
- Crockpot Irish Beef Stew
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken & Vegetables
- Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Enchilada Crock Pot Meal
- Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
- Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Crockpot Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 9.75 cans chicken ✅
- 24 ounces jar spaghetti sauce ✅
- 24 ounces jar salsa ✅
- 29 ounces can tomato sauce ✅
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth ✅
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces gluten free pasta
- 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ✅
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese ✅
Instructions
- Add the ingredient to the slow cooker. To the crock pot, add chicken, spaghetti sauce, salsa, tomato sauce, broth, garlic, and dry pasta.2 9.75 cans chicken, 24 ounces jar spaghetti sauce, 24 ounces jar salsa, 29 ounces can tomato sauce, 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 12 ounces gluten free pasta
- ⭐️Cook. Cook on low for 1.5-2 hours. You can also cook the sauce all day then add the pasta 1.5 hours before serving. *If using regular pasta cook on low for 3-4 hours. Regular pasta holds up longer in a slow cooker.
- ⭐️Serve. Gently stir in shredded cheeses just before serving.1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Notes
- Serve in a bowl topped with more shredded cheese or fresh vegetables if desired. We will also sprinkle fresh ground black pepper over the top for a boost of flavor.
- Our go-to recipes to serve with chicken pasta include Gluten Free Dinner Rolls, Roasted Frozen Cauliflower, Gluten Free Rolls, Roasted Frozen Broccoli, Italian Zucchini Tots, Brussels Sprout Apple Salad or Veggie Nuggets.
Nutrition
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Serena Ball MS, RD (@tspcurry) says
Canned chicken is my go-to. Often!
Create Kids Club says
I have found it to be such a time saver!
Melissa says
I love that the pasta cooks with the rest of the ingredients! So handy.