Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a spicy Cajun-infused sauce, combined with creamy cheese and perfectly cooked pasta. The dish offers a rich, savory experience with a nice kick of heat, ideal for an easy, hands-off dinner that delivers on taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 mins
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided
- 3 cups chicken broth, divided
- 8 oz fettuccine noodles (or pasta of your choice), broken in half
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Olive oil or butter (for searing chicken)
Instructions
- Seasoning and Searing the Chicken: Rub 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil or butter and brown the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side to add flavor and seal in the juices. Set the chicken aside.
- Preparing the Sauce in the Crock Pot: In your slow cooker, combine 2 cups of chicken broth, diced tomatoes with green chilies, minced garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, and the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Stir to mix all the ingredients well.
- Cooking the Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts into the crock pot on top of the sauce. Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Adding Pasta and Creamy Ingredients: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred it using two forks. Add the broken pasta, shredded chicken, remaining 1 cup of chicken broth, softened cream cheese, and heavy cream to the crock pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all components.
- Finishing the Dish: Cover and cook on low for an additional 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking. Once the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened and become creamy, stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated.
- Serving: Serve the creamy Cajun chicken pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. It pairs well with garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking enhances flavor and texture but can be skipped for a quicker prep.
- If desired, substitute cream cheese with goat cheese for a tangier flavor.
- Use any pasta shape you prefer; just ensure cooking time is adjusted if necessary.
- Leftovers store well and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: Crock pot chicken pasta, creamy Cajun chicken, slow cooker pasta, one pot dinner, Cajun seasoning chicken, creamy pasta dish
