Ingredients
(Serves 6 generously)
The Foundation:
• 1½ lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra richness)
• 12 oz (340g) medium pasta shells, uncooked (jumbo shells won't cook through—stick to medium)
The Garlic Cream Infusion:
• 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium chicken broth (warmed 1 minute in microwave—cold broth slows cooking)
• 1½ cups (360ml) heavy cream, room temperature
• 1 cup (90g) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (finely grated—pre-shredded won't melt smoothly)
• ¼ cup roasted garlic cloves (from 1 head garlic roasted until golden-soft—see pro tip below)
• 1 tsp dried Italian herb blend (or ½ tsp each dried oregano + basil)
• ½ tsp garlic powder (boosts roasted garlic depth—don't skip)
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
• ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
The Finish:
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces (dotted on top creates a flavor seal)
• 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• Extra Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving
Instructions
1. Layer with intention
Lightly grease a 6-quart slow cooker with olive oil spray (not aerosol near heating elements). Scatter dry pasta shells in an even layer—do not stir. Nestle chicken breasts on top, slightly overlapping if needed. Critical: Pasta must touch liquid directly to cook—chicken sits on pasta, not under it.
2. Build the infusion
In a medium bowl, whisk warmed broth, room-temperature cream, grated Parmesan, roasted garlic (mashed into paste), herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until mostly smooth—tiny cheese specks are fine; they'll melt as it cooks.
3. Pour with purpose
Slowly drizzle mixture over chicken and pasta, tilting slow cooker gently to help liquid seep beneath chicken and coat pasta evenly. Dot top with butter pieces—they'll melt into a protective seal that traps steam.
4. Cook without peeking
Cover and cook:
→ LOW 4 hours (ideal for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness)
→ HIGH 2¼ hours (if short on time—check pasta at 2 hours)
Do not lift lid before 3 hours (LOW) or 1.5 hours (HIGH)—steam is essential for cooking pasta. Opening early = crunchy shells.
5. Shred and unite
Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally and shreds easily with forks. Transfer to a bowl; shred with two forks. Stir back into slow cooker until fully incorporated and sauce coats every shell. If too thick: stir in 2–4 tbsp warm broth. If too thin: leave uncovered on HIGH 5–7 minutes to reduce.
6. Rest and serve
Switch to WARM setting; rest 10 minutes uncovered—this lets sauce thicken to perfect cling. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmigiano. Serve immediately—this dish waits for no one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes—but add 1 extra hour on LOW (or 30 mins on HIGH). Place frozen breasts directly on pasta; pour mixture over top. Sauce may be slightly thinner—reduce uncovered 10 mins at end if needed.
Q: My pasta was mushy/gummy! Why?
A: Likely culprits: (1) Lifted lid too early (steam escaped), (2) Used jumbo shells (require more liquid/time), (3) Overcooked. Next time: use medium shells, never peek before 3 hours on LOW, and check tenderness at minimum cook time.
Q: Dairy-free option?
A: Use full-fat canned coconut milk (shake well) + 3 tbsp nutritional yeast + 1 tbsp white miso for umami. Flavor will be distinctly different but still satisfying. Avoid almond/oat milk—they curdle.
Q: How to roast garlic quickly?
A: Slice top ¼" off whole head; drizzle with olive oil; wrap tightly in foil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) 35–40 mins until cloves are golden-soft. Or: microwave whole head 8–10 mins until soft (less nuanced flavor but faster).
Allergy Information
• Contains: Dairy (cream, butter, Parmesan), Wheat (pasta)
• Nut-free | Soy-free (verify broth brand)
• Dairy-free option: See FAQ above
• Gluten-free option: Use GF pasta shells (corn/rice blend)—add ¼ cup extra broth and check at 3 hours (GF pasta breaks down faster)
Always check broth label for hidden allergens.
Nutrition Facts (per 1½-cup serving)
Calories: 625 • Protein: 38g • Fat: 32g (Sat: 18g) • Carbs: 45g • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 4g • Sodium: 780mg
Rich in Calcium, Selenium, and B12
There's a quiet rebellion in meals that ask so little yet give so much. This dish doesn't demand your attention—it honors your exhaustion. While you answer emails, fold laundry, or simply sit in silence, it transforms itself: pasta swelling into tender curves, chicken yielding to fork-shred softness, garlic and cream weaving into a sauce that feels like a sigh of relief.
And that moment when you lift the lid? When steam rises carrying the scent of roasted garlic and Parmesan—a fragrance that says you are cared for—that's not just dinner. It's a reminder that nourishment doesn't require performance. That the deepest comfort often arrives not with fanfare, but in the quiet certainty that something beautiful happened while you were living your life.
So make this on the day you have nothing left to give. Let the slow cooker hold space for you. And when you sit down to that first creamy, garlicky bite—know this: you didn't just feed your body. You honored your humanity.
One last whisper: Stir in a handful of baby spinach during the last 10 minutes of cooking. It wilts into emerald ribbons that cut the richness—like a breath of fresh air in every bite.
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