Description
This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make slow cooker meal, combining tender shredded chicken seasoned with Cajun spices, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy parmesan sauce, all mixed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. It’s a hands-off recipe perfect for busy days, offering comforting flavors with a spicy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Begin by placing the chicken breasts in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings into the chicken to ensure even coating.
- Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, lightly brown the chicken on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. This will help seal in the flavors.
- Transfer to Crock Pot: Remove the chicken and place it in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add Vegetables: Add the sliced bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic on top of the chicken in the crock pot.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the chicken broth.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
- Shred Chicken: Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the crock pot. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the crock pot.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, mixing until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Cook Pasta: In the meantime, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and add the cooked pasta to the crock pot and stir well to combine with the sauce and chicken.
- Heat Together: Allow everything to heat together in the crock pot for another 15-20 minutes on the low setting, to ensure it’s thoroughly warmed.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- You can adjust the Cajun seasoning quantity to your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower fat cream.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you want to make this dish gluten-free.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for more variation.
- To save time, you can skip browning the chicken, but it adds extra flavor.
