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Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta in a bowl with herbs and a creamy sauce.

Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Indulge in this smoky, creamy Cajun chicken pasta, a slow-cooked comfort dish that's perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Cajun, Comfort Food
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Sauce
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic + a clove fresh if preferred
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt start light if your Cajun mix is salty
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bell pepper sliced (any color)
  • 1 small onion thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 cup chicken broth (or low-sodium broth)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (half-and-half can be used for a lighter finish)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated melts best)
For the Pasta
  • 8 oz penne pasta
Garnish
  • Fresh parsley to taste chopped for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken dry and rub with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure it’s evenly coated.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
  3. Place the seared chicken in the slow cooker. Layer the sliced bell pepper, thinly sliced onion, and minced garlic over the top.
  4. Pour the diced tomatoes (with juices) and chicken broth over the layered ingredients.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or High for 2–3 hours, until the chicken easily shreds with two forks.
  2. Remove the chicken, shred it with forks, then return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
  3. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce turns creamy.
Pasta Preparation
  1. Cook the penne according to package directions until just al dente. Drain.
  2. Toss the warm pasta with the chicken mixture in the slow cooker or in a large bowl. Let everything heat together for 15–20 minutes so the pasta soaks up the sauce.
Serving
  1. Serve garnished with chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 40gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken shredded at the end to skip slow cooking in a pinch. For a dairy-free version, swap cream for full-fat coconut milk and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.

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