Slow Cooker Cheesy Tomato Chicken with Protein Pasta
Tender shredded chicken tenderloins simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce served over heart-healthy protein pasta. A comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner built for easy weeknight meal prep without any added sugars.
Prep
10 min
Cook
240 min
Total
250 min
Makes
6 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Rachael + Lila
Rachael created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
240 min
Total
250 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large pot · Colander · Mixing bowl
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 10 steps complete
Next: Place 35
- 01
Place 35
Place 35.3 oz (1000g) of thawed chicken breast tenderloins into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker insert.
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Sprinkle 1 tbsp (6g) garlic powder and…
Sprinkle 1 tbsp (6g) garlic powder and 1 tbsp (6g) Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken.
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Pour 2
Pour 2.5 cups (600g) of no-added-sugar canned tomato sauce directly over the seasoned chicken tenderloins.
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Cover the slow cooker with its lid…
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW heat for 4 hours (or HIGH heat for 2 to 2.5 hours) until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily with a fork.
Look for: the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily with a fork
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Transfer the cooked chicken tenderloins to a…
Transfer the cooked chicken tenderloins to a cutting board or large bowl using tongs, shred completely with two forks, and return the shredded meat back into the warm slow cooker sauce.
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Add 5
Add 5.3 oz (150g) of cubed cream cheese and 3.2 oz (90g) of shredded cheddar cheese to the slow cooker sauce; stir continuously until the cheeses melt completely and form a smooth, creamy sauce.
Look for: the cheeses melt completely and form a smooth, creamy sauce
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Bring a large pot of water to…
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat, add 12.7 oz (360g) of protein pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until tender with a slight bite (al dente).
Look for: tender with a slight bite (al dente)
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Drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander…
Drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander and divide evenly among 6 plates or bowls.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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Ladle 1
Ladle 1.5 cups of warm shredded cheesy chicken sauce directly over each portion of cooked protein pasta.
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Serve immediately while warm
Serve immediately while warm, or allow leftovers to cool completely before portioning into airtight containers for up to 4 days of meal prep.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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