Description
This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a rich and creamy Cajun-spiced sauce, then combined with penne pasta and Parmesan cheese for a satisfying dish with bold Southern-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 pounds Chicken Breasts
- 2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 pound Penne Pasta
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Add the chicken breasts, heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning into a 6-quart crock pot, ensuring all ingredients are evenly combined for consistent flavor.
- Slow Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Shred Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred or dice it into large pieces, ready to be mixed back into the sauce.
- Combine Sauce and Chicken: Whisk the sauce in the crock pot to blend the ingredients smoothly, then return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir in the uncooked penne pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Cover and cook on high for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and fully cooked to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, cover the crock pot, and let it sit for 5 minutes so the cheese can melt, creating a creamy texture.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Cajun chicken pasta warm and enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
Notes
- You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra moisture and flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- To prevent the pasta from sticking, stir occasionally during the cooking process after adding the pasta.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high) plus 20 to 30 minutes for pasta
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker/Crock Pot
- Cuisine: Cajun, Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Keywords: Crock Pot, creamy, Cajun, chicken pasta, slow cooker, easy dinner, one pot meal
