Description
Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender slow-cooked chicken infused with bold Cajun spices, simmered in a rich creamy sauce, and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This hearty and satisfying meal is easy to prepare with minimal hands-on time, making it an ideal weeknight dinner option with a delightful Cajun-inspired American twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
Liquids and Dairy
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup heavy cream
Pasta and Toppings
- 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta (cooked separately)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of the crock pot. Evenly sprinkle Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper over the chicken to ensure full flavor infusion.
- Add vegetables and broth: Layer the sliced red and green bell peppers along with the thinly sliced onion on top of the seasoned chicken. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, which will help cook the ingredients gently and form the base of the sauce.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shreddable. This slow cooking method locks in spices and allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Shred and return chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the crock pot. Shred or slice it into bite-sized pieces, then return the chicken back into the pot with the cooked vegetables and broth.
- Create the creamy sauce: Stir in the cubed cream cheese and heavy cream. Increase the crock pot setting to high and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Prepare pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well to avoid excess water diluting the sauce.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta and grated Parmesan cheese to the crock pot. Stir thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Dish out the creamy Cajun chicken pasta into bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese as desired, serving hot for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add extra Cajun seasoning or include a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- You can substitute penne or fettuccine with other pasta shapes like rotini or bowtie for a different texture.
- Leftovers reheat well; add a splash of cream or chicken broth when reheating to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American, Cajun-inspired
