Chicken Cordon Bleu Bowtie Pasta in the Slow Cooker

Some recipes are made for busy days, and this Chicken Cordon Bleu Bowtie Pasta in the Slow Cooker is definitely one of them.

I first came across the idea after a friend told me about making chicken cordon bleu flavors without all the work of stuffing, breading, and baking individual chicken breasts. I loved the idea immediately. I mean, tender chicken, smoky ham, melted cheese, and creamy pasta all in one dish? That sounded like the kind of dinner my family would happily eat.

So I gave it a try last weekend.

By the time dinner rolled around, the kitchen smelled incredible. The chicken was tender, the sauce was creamy, and the little bowtie pasta pieces made the whole dish feel extra comforting. My family loved it so much that there wasn’t much left for the next day—which, honestly, is always a good sign in my house.

This is now one of those recipes I like keeping in my back pocket for weekends, busy evenings, or those days when I want a comforting meal without spending hours standing over the stove.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Pasta

Traditional chicken cordon bleu can be delicious, but it can also involve quite a few steps.

This version takes those same familiar flavors and turns them into an easy, creamy pasta dinner.

You’ve got:

• Tender chicken
• Savory diced ham
• Creamy sauce
• Melted Swiss cheese
• Bowtie pasta
• A little garlic and seasoning for extra flavor

And because the chicken cooks slowly, it becomes wonderfully tender and flavorful.

The best part? You get all that classic chicken cordon bleu comfort without having to carefully stuff and bread every chicken breast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken and Sauce

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

For the Pasta and Cheese

• 12 ounces bowtie pasta
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Bowtie Pasta in the Slow Cooker

1. Prepare the Chicken

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.

Sprinkle the garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the chicken.

Pour in the chicken broth.

Cover and cook on LOW for about 4–5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

I prefer using the low setting for this recipe because it gives the chicken time to become really tender without rushing the process.

2. Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a plate or cutting board.

Use two forks to shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Return the chicken to the slow cooker.

At this point, the kitchen usually smells so good that someone inevitably wanders in asking, “Is dinner ready yet?”

3. Make the Creamy Sauce

Add the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard to the slow cooker.

Stir everything together until the cream cheese begins to melt into the warm broth.

Don’t worry if it looks a little uneven at first. As everything warms and gets stirred together, the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.

4. Add the Ham

Stir the diced ham into the chicken and sauce.

The ham is what really gives this dish that classic chicken cordon bleu flavor.

I recommend using a good-quality cooked ham and cutting it into small pieces so you get a little bit in almost every bite.

5. Cook the Bowtie Pasta

Cook the bowtie pasta separately according to the package directions until al dente.

Drain it well.

I recommend cooking the pasta separately rather than adding dry pasta directly to the slow cooker. It gives you much more control over the texture and helps prevent the pasta from becoming overly soft.

6. Bring Everything Together

Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the slow cooker and gently stir it into the creamy chicken and ham mixture.

Add the shredded Swiss cheese and Parmesan.

Cover the slow cooker for about 5–10 minutes, just until the cheese melts.

Give everything one final gentle stir.

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top before serving.

My Favorite Tip for the Creamiest Pasta

Make sure the cream cheese is softened before adding it.

If it’s straight from the refrigerator, it can take longer to blend into the sauce and may leave little lumps.

I usually leave it on the counter for about 20–30 minutes while the chicken cooks. It makes mixing everything together much easier.

Don’t Skip the Dijon Mustard

You might be tempted to leave out the Dijon mustard if you’re not a big mustard fan.

I’d encourage you to keep it.

You’re not adding enough to make the pasta taste strongly of mustard. Instead, it adds a subtle tang that balances the richness of the cream, cheese, and ham.

It’s one of those small ingredients that makes you wonder why the finished dish tastes so much better.

What Kind of Cheese Should You Use?

Swiss cheese is the classic choice for chicken cordon bleu, and it works beautifully here.

For a slightly stronger flavor, you can use Gruyère.

If you don’t have either one, mozzarella will still give you a deliciously melty pasta, although the flavor will be milder.

You can also add a little extra Parmesan for a salty, nutty finish.

Easy Variations

Add Broccoli

Want some vegetables in the dish? Stir in steamed broccoli just before serving.

The broccoli pairs especially well with the creamy sauce.

Use Rotisserie Chicken

If you’re short on time, you can use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking raw chicken in the slow cooker.

This makes the recipe even faster.

Try Turkey

Diced cooked turkey is a great substitute for chicken, especially if you have leftover turkey in the refrigerator.

Make It Extra Cheesy

If your family loves cheesy pasta as much as mine does, add another handful of shredded Swiss cheese before serving.

There is no judgment here.

What to Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Because this pasta is rich and creamy, I like serving it with something fresh and simple.

A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is probably my first choice.

Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, green beans, or sautéed vegetables also work beautifully.

And if you’re feeding a hungry crowd, some warm garlic bread on the side never hurts.

Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

Yes, although this pasta is best served fresh.

You can prepare the chicken and creamy sauce ahead of time and refrigerate them. When you’re ready to serve, warm the mixture gently, cook the pasta separately, and combine everything with the cheese.

If the sauce becomes too thick after refrigeration, add a splash of chicken broth or milk while reheating.

How to Store Leftovers

Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

The sauce will thicken as it cools, so add a splash of milk or chicken broth when reheating.

Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot throughout.

I actually think the leftovers make a fantastic lunch. The flavors have had even more time to mingle overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another type of pasta?

Absolutely. Penne, rotini, shells, or rigatoni can all work. Bowtie pasta is my favorite because it holds the creamy sauce nicely and gives the dish a fun texture.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes. Rotisserie chicken is an excellent shortcut. Simply shred it and add it when you prepare the creamy sauce rather than cooking raw chicken for several hours.

Can I use mozzarella instead of Swiss cheese?

Yes. Mozzarella melts beautifully, but Swiss cheese gives the dish that more recognizable chicken cordon bleu flavor.

Can I add vegetables?

Definitely. Broccoli, peas, spinach, asparagus, and green beans are all good options.

Can I freeze this pasta?

Cream-based pasta dishes can sometimes change texture after freezing and thawing. For the best results, I recommend enjoying this one fresh or refrigerated rather than freezing it.

Nutrition Information

The following nutrition information is an approximate estimate per serving, based on 8 servings and the ingredients listed above. Actual values will vary depending on the brands and quantities used.

Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients, brands, portion sizes, and substitutions used.

Final Thoughts

There are nights when I want to cook something elaborate, and then there are nights when I just want to put dinner on the table without making the kitchen look like a disaster zone.

This recipe is made for the second kind of night.

I love that it takes the flavors of classic chicken cordon bleu and turns them into a creamy, comforting pasta dish that the whole family can enjoy. The tender chicken, salty little pieces of ham, melty Swiss cheese, and creamy sauce are such a good combination.

When I made it for my family last weekend, everyone went back for seconds, and that pretty much settled it—this one is staying in our regular dinner rotation.