This slow cooker Amish-style butter chicken pasta is the kind of comforting dinner that makes a busy day feel a whole lot easier. With just a handful of simple ingredients, the chicken cooks low and slow under buttery richness until it’s tender enough to pull apart, then gets tossed with pasta for a hearty meal that feels old-fashioned and cozy. It’s a practical family supper with that classic creamy, savory flavor that always seems to bring everyone back for seconds.
Serve this dish with a crisp green salad, steamed green beans, or simple roasted broccoli to balance the richness. Warm dinner rolls or garlic bread are also wonderful for rounding out the meal, and if you want to keep things extra homey, a side of buttered peas or glazed carrots fits right in.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Amish Butter Chicken Pasta
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds chicken legs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pats
1 packet dry Italian dressing mix, about 1 ounce
1 can cream of chicken soup, 10.5 ounces
12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
Directions
1. Place the chicken legs in the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer.
2. Sprinkle the dry Italian dressing mix evenly over the chicken, then spoon the cream of chicken soup over the top.
3. Lay the butter pats over the top, cover, and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and cooked through.
4. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, let it cool slightly, then pull the meat from the bones and return the chicken to the sauce. Discard the bones.
5. Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions until just tender, then drain well.
6. Stir the drained pasta into the slow cooker until everything is well coated. Serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Use chicken thighs: If you prefer, boneless or bone-in chicken thighs work beautifully here and are a little easier to shred. Just keep the cooking time about the same and make sure the chicken is fully cooked before pulling it apart.
Add a creamy finish: For an even richer sauce, stir in a splash of milk, half-and-half, or a spoonful of cream cheese right before adding the pasta. This is especially nice if the sauce has reduced a bit too much during cooking.
Make it kid-friendly: If you have picky eaters at the table, use mild pasta shapes like rotini or shells and mix in a little shredded mozzarella or Parmesan at the end. That cheesy finish makes it extra appealing for little ones.
Season to taste: Since different brands of soup and dressing mix can vary in saltiness, give the sauce a quick taste before serving. A little black pepper or chopped parsley can freshen everything up nicely without much extra work.