Description
Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is a comforting and creamy slow-cooked dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with bold Cajun spices, combined with bell peppers, onions, garlic, chicken broth, cream, cheese, and penne pasta. This one-pot meal delivers a rich, spicy, and creamy flavor perfect for easy weeknight dinners with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2–3 chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Seasonings & Spices
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- Optional: cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra heat
Vegetables
- 1–2 bell peppers, chopped finely
- 1 medium onion, chopped finely
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Dairy
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella)
Pasta
- 8 oz uncooked penne pasta
Garnishes
- Fresh parsley or chopped green onions
- Optional: Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Chop the bell peppers, onions, and garlic finely. Season the chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning to infuse bold flavor.
- Combine in the Crock Pot: Place the seasoned chicken breasts at the bottom of the crock pot. Add the chopped vegetables, minced garlic, chicken broth, and add a splash of heavy cream or dollops of cream cheese around the edges for even melting.
- Cook Slowly: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. This slow cooking melds flavors and ensures juicy chicken.
- Shred and Add Pasta: Remove the chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot. Add uncooked penne pasta and shredded cheese, mixing everything well.
- Finish Cooking: Cover and cook on high for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened and become creamy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Use fresh or high-quality Cajun seasoning to maximize flavor intensity.
- Add the pasta towards the end of cooking to avoid mushy noodles.
- Sauté onions and garlic briefly before adding to deepen flavor (optional).
- Adjust the amount of cream to get your preferred sauce consistency.
- Stir occasionally during the final cooking step to prevent sticking.
- Substitute heavy cream and cheese with coconut milk and dairy-free cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Frozen chicken can be used, but increase cooking time and ensure it is fully cooked before adding pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Crock Pot, Slow Cooker, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Creamy Pasta, One-Pot Meal, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food
