Description
This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a deliciously easy and flavorful dinner option. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned with Cajun spices and slow-cooked with bell peppers and onions in a rich, creamy sauce made from cream cheese and Parmesan. Combined with perfectly cooked pasta, this hearty dish offers a comforting blend of spicy, creamy, and cheesy flavors that can be prepared with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
Liquids and Dairy
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts thoroughly with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken for 15–20 minutes if time allows.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the slow cooker. Add the sliced red and green bell peppers, sliced yellow onion, and pour in the low-sodium chicken broth.
- Slow Cook: Cook the mixture on low heat for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and vegetables to soften.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.
- Add Cheese and Stir: Add the cubed cream cheese and shredded Parmesan to the slow cooker. Stir well until the cheeses melt completely, creating a creamy sauce. Let it cook an additional 10–15 minutes on low to meld the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce finishes cooking, cook the pasta separately according to package directions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the cooked pasta into the slow cooker until evenly coated with the creamy Cajun chicken sauce. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan cheese, or crushed red pepper flakes as desired.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, searing the chicken in olive oil before slow cooking is recommended.
- Cooking the pasta separately and adding it at the end prevents it from becoming mushy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best texture and taste in the sauce.
- Increase heat by using hot Cajun seasoning or adding jalapeños if preferred.
- For best results when freezing, freeze the sauce without the pasta and add fresh pasta when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
