Why Make This Recipe
Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a delicious and easy meal that brings great flavors together. This recipe is perfect for busy days when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few steps and your slow cooker doing most of the work, you can enjoy a creamy, savory dish that the whole family will love.
How to Make Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Directions:
- Start by placing the chicken breasts in a large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle on the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings into the chicken for even coating.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, lightly brown the chicken on both sides for about 2-3 minutes. This step helps seal in the flavors.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add the sliced bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic on top of the chicken.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the chicken broth.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the crock pot. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the crock pot.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and add the cooked pasta to the crock pot, stirring well to combine with the sauce and chicken.
- Allow everything to heat together in the crock pot for another 15-20 minutes on the low setting to ensure it’s all thoroughly warmed.
- Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
How to Serve Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Serve this creamy dish hot, with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top for a pop of color. It pairs well with a simple side salad or some crusty bread to soak up the extra sauce.
How to Store Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Then, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, simply thaw and reheat!
Tips to Make Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- For a bit more heat, add extra Cajun seasoning or some diced jalapenos.
- You can use different types of pasta if you prefer, like fettuccine or rigatoni.
- Feel free to add other vegetables, such as spinach or zucchini, for more nutrition.
Variation
To make this dish lighter, use reduced-fat cream or skip the heavy cream altogether and add more broth. You can also use shrimp or sausage instead of chicken for a different twist on flavors.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just increase the cooking time by about 1-2 hours.
What if I don’t have Cajun seasoning?
You can make your own by mixing equal parts paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare everything the night before and refrigerate it. Just cook it in the crock pot the next day for a quick meal.
Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A delicious and easy creamy Cajun chicken pasta prepared in a slow cooker, perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz penne pasta
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a large bowl; drizzle with olive oil and season with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub to coat.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken on both sides for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic on top of chicken.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken, shred it, and return to the pot.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and add to the slow cooker.
- Heat everything together for another 15-20 minutes on low.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
To make it lighter, use reduced-fat cream or skip heavy cream and add more broth. You can use shrimp or sausage instead of chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
