If you’re searching for a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you’ve got to try this Angel Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta in Creamy Dressing Sauce Recipe. It’s an absolute winner for anyone who loves tender, juicy chicken bathed in a rich, velvety sauce that’s bursting with flavor. Paired with delicate angel hair pasta, this meal is both comforting and elegant, perfect for impressing friends or simply treating yourself to something special on any night of the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might seem simple, but each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of taste, texture, and visual appeal in this dish. From the creamy base to the savory seasonings, every component packs a punch.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps sear the chicken to golden perfection.
- Chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds): The star protein, tenderized and infused with flavor during slow cooking.
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the chicken and seasoning.
- Black pepper: Provides a gentle heat and aromatic touch.
- Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened): Contributes to the sauce’s creamy texture and tangy depth.
- Butter (2 tablespoons, softened): Enriches the sauce for a luscious mouthfeel.
- Chicken broth (½ cup): Adds moisture and savory undertones to the slow cooker base.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Infuses aromatic warmth and savory notes.
- Italian dressing seasoning packet (0.6 ounce): Brings a zesty blend of herbs and spices that lift the sauce beautifully.
- Heavy cream (½ cup): Thickens the sauce and deepens the creaminess.
- Cornstarch (2 teaspoons): A secret weapon to achieve the perfect velvety sauce consistency.
- Angel hair pasta (16 ounces): A delicate pasta that pairs wonderfully with the rich sauce.
- Fresh Italian parsley (chopped): Adds color and a fresh herbal crunch when garnishing.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Elevates the entire dish with its nutty, salty finish.
How to Make Angel Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta in Creamy Dressing Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
First things first, season both sides of your chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper. Heat up your olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear the chicken for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. You’re aiming for that gorgeous golden-brown color without cooking it through—this step locks in juices and adds incredible flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
While the chicken gets that perfect sear, whisk together the softened cream cheese, butter, chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian dressing seasoning in a bowl until smooth. This creamy blend is what will transform your slow cooker cooking into pure magic.
Step 3: Combine in the Slow Cooker
Place the seared chicken breasts neatly at the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the creamy mixture over top, making sure the chicken is well coated. This is where patience pays off—the low and slow cooking will melt these flavors together beautifully.
Step 4: Slow Cook Until Perfectly Tender
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or if you’re short on time, on high for 2 to 3 hours. You want the chicken cooked through fully, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The slow cooker will work its magic, infusing the chicken with the rich, creamy dressing.
Step 5: Remove Chicken and Thicken the Sauce
Once your chicken is cooked, carefully remove the breasts from the slow cooker and set aside. Next, stir the heavy cream and cornstarch together until smooth, then mix this into the slow cooker juices. Return the chicken to the pot and cook uncovered on high for another 15 to 20 minutes. This step thickens the sauce into a luscious, velvety dream.
Step 6: Cook the Angel Hair Pasta
While the sauce is finishing, cook the angel hair pasta in boiling salted water following the package instructions. This thin pasta cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to achieve that perfect al dente bite. Drain and set aside, ready to serve as the bed for your chicken and sauce.
Step 7: Assemble and Serve
It’s time for the grand finale! Place the chicken breasts on top of the angel hair pasta and generously spoon over the creamy dressing sauce. Don’t forget to sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for that final pop of flavor and color.
How to Serve Angel Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta in Creamy Dressing Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh Italian parsley isn’t just for looks — it adds a lively herbal freshness that cuts through the richness beautifully. Grated Parmesan offers a nutty, salty accent, making every bite even more irresistible. You could also add a twist by tossing on some red pepper flakes if you like a gentle kick!
Side Dishes
This dish stands strong on its own but pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or sautéed garlic green beans for extra texture and freshness. A side of warm, crusty bread also works wonders to mop up every last drop of that creamy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, consider serving the chicken sliced into medallions atop a twirl of angel hair pasta on individual plates, finished with a drizzle of the dressing sauce and a scatter of fresh herbs. Alternatively, create a family-style presentation by arranging the chicken and pasta on a large platter with a bowl of extra sauce on the side, inviting everyone to help themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers — which might be rare because this dish is so good — store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure you keep the sauce separate from the pasta if possible to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Freeze the pasta separately if possible, as it freezes best without the sauce. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring your leftovers back to life, gently reheat the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Reheat the pasta in boiling water for a minute or two or toss in the microwave with a splash of water. Combining freshly heated components keeps the texture spot-on.
FAQs
Can I use different pasta if I don’t have angel hair?
Absolutely! While angel hair pasta is ideal because of its delicate texture, you can substitute with spaghetti or fettuccine. Just keep in mind that thicker pastas might need a slightly longer cooking time and create a heartier dish.
Is slow cooking necessary for the Angel Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta in Creamy Dressing Sauce Recipe?
The slow cooker method really makes this dish shine by tenderizing the chicken and melding the flavors deeply. However, if pressed for time, you could try baking the chicken covered with the sauce in an oven-safe dish, though the texture and depth of flavor might differ slightly.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
For a dairy-free version, swap the cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream for plant-based alternatives such as vegan cream cheese, margarine, and coconut cream. The sauce will have a slightly different flavor but still be deliciously creamy.
What if I want more sauce?
No problem! Just increase the amounts of cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, and broth proportionally to make more sauce. Also, adding a bit more cornstarch can help you maintain the right thickness.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Definitely! Adding mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes during the last 30 minutes of slow cooking adds wonderful flavors and extra nutrition, making the dish even more satisfying.
Final Thoughts
This Angel Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta in Creamy Dressing Sauce Recipe is one of those special meals that feels impressive but is surprisingly easy to make. The luxurious sauce, tender chicken, and delicate pasta all come together to create a dinner you’ll want to make again and again. So go ahead, give this recipe a try and watch it become an instant favorite in your kitchen!
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Angel Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta in Creamy Dressing Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4.5 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Angel Chicken is a creamy, comforting slow cooker dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich cream cheese and Italian dressing sauce. Served over delicate angel hair pasta and garnished with fresh Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese, this recipe delivers flavorful and easy-to-make dinner that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 Tablespoons butter (softened)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 0.6 ounce Italian dressing seasoning packet (about 2 tablespoons)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Pasta and Garnish
- 16 ounces angel hair pasta
- Fresh Italian parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season and Sear Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden but not cooked through. Set aside.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, butter, chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian dressing seasoning until smooth.
- Start Slow Cooking: Place the seared chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the prepared cream cheese mixture over the chicken.
- Cook Chicken in Slow Cooker: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove Chicken: Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and set it aside.
- Prepare Sauce Thickener: Mix the heavy cream and cornstarch in a small bowl until completely combined and smooth. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker with the cooking liquid.
- Thicken Sauce: Return the whole chicken breasts to the slow cooker, cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes on high to thicken the sauce.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce thickens, cook the angel hair pasta in boiling salted water according to the package directions. Drain well.
- Serve: Serve the chicken breasts over the angel hair pasta and spoon the creamy sauce on top. Garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, use fresh garlic instead of pre-minced for a more vibrant flavor.
- You can substitute Italian dressing seasoning with a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder if needed.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the sauce cook a few extra minutes past the suggested time.
- Ensure chicken breasts are not overcooked to maintain juiciness.
- This dish pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad.
