Description

This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s an easy and delicious meal that blends smoky spices with creamy textures for a satisfying dinner.

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

1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 yellow onion, sliced

Liquids and Cheeses

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Pasta

12 ounces penne or rotini pasta

Garnishes

Fresh parsley, chopped
Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
Crushed red pepper flakes, for serving

Instructions

Season the Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts evenly with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. For enhanced flavor, optionally marinate the chicken for 15-20 minutes.
Slow Cook Chicken and Vegetables: 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. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stirring to combine with the vegetables and broth.
Add Cream Cheese and Parmesan: Add the cubed cream cheese and shredded Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and create a creamy sauce. Allow it to cook for an additional 10–15 minutes on low to thicken slightly.
Cook Pasta Separately: While the sauce finishes cooking, prepare the penne or rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir the drained pasta into the creamy Cajun chicken mixture in the slow cooker until well coated with the sauce.
Serve: Serve the creamy Cajun chicken pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley, additional Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat if desired.

Notes

For extra spice, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add more crushed red pepper flakes.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
To save time, you can marinate the chicken overnight.
Use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat Parmesan to reduce calories and fat content.
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently.
Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving can brighten the flavors.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American Cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 480 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: Crock Pot Cajun chicken pasta, creamy cajun pasta, slow cooker chicken pasta, Cajun chicken recipe, creamy pasta dinner