Description

This 5-Star Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting slow cooker meal featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with Cajun spices, bell peppers, and onions in a creamy sauce with penne pasta. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this dish combines the zesty Cajun seasoning with creamy cheese and tender pasta for a rich, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 small yellow onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Dairy

1½ cups low sodium chicken broth
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
½ cup heavy cream

Pasta and Finishing Touches

12 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Place the chicken breasts in the crock pot and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle with olive oil, then top with the sliced red and green bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic.
Add Broth and Cook: Pour the low sodium chicken broth over the ingredients. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender.
Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the crock pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the crock pot.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Add the cubed cream cheese and heavy cream to the crock pot. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Add the Pasta: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the creamy sauce. Cover again and cook on high for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the pasta is cooked al dente.
Finish with Cheese and Herbs: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley just before serving to add flavor and freshness.

Notes

Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the heat level to your preference.
If the sauce thickens too much during cooking, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to loosen it.
For extra flavor, consider adding sliced andouille sausage before cooking.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American