Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken

Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken is the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve got dinner completely under control—even on the busiest days. With just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker doing all the work, you’ll end up with tender, flavorful chicken in a rich, creamy sauce that tastes like pure comfort.

The secret? A perfect mix of herbs, cream of mushroom soup, and cream cheese that melts into a velvety sauce. After a long, slow simmer, the chicken is fall-apart tender and ready to be served over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. It’s one of those meals that feels indulgent but is incredibly easy to make.

My fiancé absolutely loved this recipe—he went back for a huge bowl, and I swear he took half the crockpot with him! Okay, maybe not that much, but it was definitely a generous helping. His family happened to stop by for a quick visit, so I sent them home with a container to try for dinner. They’re always asking what I’m making because they love trying new recipes.

As he was digging in, he mentioned that it reminded him of a creamed salmon on toast his mom used to make. My mom made something similar, but she added peas (ugh), so I wasn’t exactly a fan. I told him, “Well, go make some toast and try it that way!”

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Comfort Food: Let the slow cooker do the work while you go about your day. No babysitting required!
• Rich & Creamy: The combination of cream of mushroom soup and cream cheese creates an irresistibly velvety sauce.
• Family Approved: Even the pickiest eaters will be asking for seconds!
• Versatile Serving Options: Serve it over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or even on toast for a fun twist.
• Great for Leftovers: It tastes just as delicious the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
• Minimal Ingredients: No fancy ingredients needed—just simple pantry staples you probably already have.

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Lean and easy to shred after slow cooking, but boneless thighs can be used for a richer flavor.
• Italian seasoning: If you’re out, mix your own with what you have on hand.
• Celery seed: Adds a subtle, slightly peppery flavor. If you don’t have it, a pinch of celery salt works—just reduce the added salt in the recipe.
• Onion powder: Gives a mild onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions—great for picky eaters!
• Black pepper: Just enough to balance the richness without overpowering the dish. Feel free to adjust to taste.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors, but you may want to reduce it slightly if your cream soup is on the salty side.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a warm, savory depth. If using garlic powder instead, go with about half the amount.
• Cream of mushroom soup: Creates a creamy, flavorful base. Swap one can for cream of chicken soup for a slightly different twist.
• Cream cheese: Melts into the sauce for a velvety texture. Cutting it into cubes helps it blend in smoothly. Cream cheese is fine in the slow cooker if you put it in for the last hour of cooking.
• Chives: Adds a fresh pop of color and mild oniony flavor at the end. Green onions work as a great substitute.

How to Make Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken

• Step One: Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
• Step Two: In a small bowl, stir together Italian seasoning, celery seed, onion powder, pepper, salt, and garlic cloves. Sprinkle over the chicken.

• Step Three: Pour the cans of mushroom soup on top of the chicken.
• Step Four: Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
• Step Five: Shred the chicken with two forks. Add the cream cheese and cook on HIGH for 1 hour.
• Step Six: Stir the melted cream cheese to combine everything. Sprinkle chives on top. Serve hot.

What to Serve With It

• Over Rice: White rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice soak up all that creamy sauce beautifully.
• With Pasta: Serve it over egg noodles, penne, or fettuccine for a comforting, pasta-inspired twist.
• Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate cozy combo—creamy chicken over fluffy mashed potatoes is pure comfort food.
• On Toast, Buns, or Biscuits: If you love an open-faced sandwich, spoon it over toast or warm biscuits for a hearty meal.
• With Steamed Veggies: Balance out the richness with a side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or roasted carrots.
• Over Baked Potatoes: Load up a baked potato with this creamy chicken for a filling and satisfying meal.
• With a Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette adds a nice contrast to the creamy chicken.

Variations and Substitutions

• Serve It as a Dip: Skip shredding the chicken and serve it as a warm, creamy dip with crackers or bread slices.
• Swap the Soup: Not a fan of cream of mushroom? Try cream of chicken, cream of celery, or even cheddar cheese soup for a different flavor.
• Use Chicken Thighs: If you prefer a richer, more tender chicken, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work just as well.
• Make It Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños for a little heat.
• Make It Hearty: Add one can of black beans (drained) when you add the chicken to the Crockpot.
• Add Veggies: Stir in peas, corn, mushrooms, or spinach in the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra texture and flavor.
• Try a Different Cheese: Swap the cream cheese for Boursin, goat cheese, or a flavored cream cheese for a fun twist.
• Swap the Seasoning: Swap the Italian seasoning for one packet (or about two tablespoons) of ranch seasoning mix. Mix in cooked bacon at the end for a ranch-bacon twist.
• Make It Lighter: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and a lower-sodium soup to cut back on calories without sacrificing flavor.
• Make It Keto: Replace the canned soup with heavy cream, cream cheese, and a little chicken broth thickened with xanthan gum or reduced through simmering.
• Turn It into a Casserole: Shred the chicken, mix it with cooked pasta, and top with shredded cheese before baking for a creamy chicken casserole. This is a fabulous idea for any leftovers!

Storage Instructions

Got leftovers? This Crock pot Cream Cheese Chicken stores beautifully and tastes just as delicious the next day! Here’s how to keep it fresh:

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken as it chills, but a splash of milk or broth when reheating will bring it back to its creamy consistency.
• Freezing: This dish freezes well! Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm it up on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If using the microwave, heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until heated through. Add a little broth or milk if needed to loosen up the sauce.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Soften the Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature before adding it to the slow cooker. This helps it melt smoothly into the sauce without clumping.
• Shred the Chicken Easily: Use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker. For an even faster method, use a hand mixer on low speed to break it apart in seconds!
• Don’t Overcook the Cream Cheese: Once you add the cream cheese, cook on HIGH for just one hour—any longer and the sauce may become too thick.
• Adjust the Seasoning: Taste before serving and add extra salt, pepper, or even a dash of garlic powder if needed. The flavors deepen as it cooks, so a little adjustment at the end can make a big difference.
• Use Low-Sodium Soup: If you’re watching your salt intake, opt for low-sodium cream of mushroom soup to control the seasoning.
• Cook it on HIGH: If you’re short on time, cook it on HIGH heat for 4 hours. Shred the chicken and continue to cook for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Make It Thicker or Thinner: If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little chicken broth or milk to loosen it up. If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it sit uncovered for a few minutes before serving.
• Great for Meal Prep: This recipe tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers for quick and easy lunches or dinners.

Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

I have a few more slow cooker chicken recipes to add to your dinner rotation.

• Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Chicken
• Slow Cooker 40 Clove Garlic Chicken
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Chicken
• Rosemary Chicken Noodle Soup
• White Chicken Chili
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
• Peking Chicken
• Crockpot Pickle Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles

You’ll also enjoy this Brown Sugar Chicken, Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, and Honey Dijon Chicken. 

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