Description
A creamy and flavorful Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting dinner. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked with Cajun seasoning and vegetables, then combined with a rich cheese sauce and pasta for a delicious, hearty meal.
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
Vegetables and Broth
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Cheeses and Pasta
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Rub chicken breasts thoroughly with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Optionally, marinate the chicken for 15–20 minutes to enhance flavor.
- Prepare in Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Add sliced red and green bell peppers, sliced yellow onion, and chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with the vegetables and broth.
- Add Cheeses: Add cubed cream cheese and shredded Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker. Stir well until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes creamy. Continue cooking on low for an additional 10–15 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: While the cheese is melting, cook the pasta separately according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the drained pasta into the slow cooker mixture until well combined. Serve the dish hot, garnished with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, sear the chicken breasts in olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Cooking pasta separately and adding it at the end prevents it from becoming mushy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor.
- To add extra heat, use hot Cajun seasoning or include jalapeños.
- Freeze the sauce without pasta for better texture when reheating later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
