Why Make This Recipe
Imagine walking in after a long day. You’re tired, hungry, and the thought of cooking a complicated meal is just too much. Now, imagine a warm, comforting, and delicious aroma greeting you at the door. That’s the magic of Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta! This dish isn’t just easy; it’s a game-changer for your weeknight meals.
You’ll love this recipe because it’s effortlessly elegant. You just put everything in the slow cooker, set it, and forget it. That means more time for you! The sauce is irresistibly creamy, coating every piece of chicken and pasta with a rich, velvety texture from the cream cheese and broth. Get ready for a flavor explosion! The Cajun seasoning transforms simple chicken into something truly special – smoky, spicy, and savory. This dish is also family-friendly, so even picky eaters will ask for more. Plus, it’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a casual get-together.
How to Make Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Making this delicious Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is super simple. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a fantastic meal ready in no time.
Ingredients of Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Cajun seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chicken broth (low sodium)
- Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- Olive oil
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Cream cheese (full-fat or reduced-fat)
- Heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Onion, chopped
- Red bell pepper, chopped
- Green bell pepper, chopped
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)
Directions of Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Pat the chicken dry. Season it well with half of the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Chop all vegetables.
- Combine in the Crock Pot: Put the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker. Scatter the chopped onion and bell peppers over the chicken. Add the minced garlic. Pour in the chicken broth. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and spread them evenly over the ingredients. Sprinkle with the rest of the Cajun seasoning and dried oregano.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Cook until the chicken is done and easy to shred.
- The Creamy Finish: Take the chicken out of the Crock Pot. Shred the chicken using two forks. Stir the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce in the slow cooker. If you want a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this mixture into the sauce. Put the shredded chicken back into the Crock Pot and mix it with the creamy sauce. In a separate pot, cook your pasta until it is “al dente” (firm to the bite) following the package directions. Add the cooked pasta directly to the Crock Pot, or serve the sauce over individual portions of pasta.
How to Serve Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Once your Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is ready, serve it up with some tasty sides.
Classic Pairings
- Garlic Bread or Cheesy Breadsticks: These are perfect for soaking up all that amazing creamy sauce.
- Simple Green Salad: A fresh salad with a light dressing gives a nice, crisp contrast to the rich pasta.
Elevate Your Meal
- Roasted Asparagus or Broccoli: A healthy green vegetable adds color and good nutrients.
- Crusty French Bread: Another great choice for dipping into the sauce.
How to Store Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
To store leftovers, place the Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
Tips to Make Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Cook until it’s tender and easily shreds.
- Adjust spice to your liking: Add more or less Cajun seasoning based on how much heat you prefer.
- Pasta Type: Penne, fettuccine, or rotini all hold the creamy sauce well.
Variations of Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Make this Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta your own with these delicious changes and helpful tips.
Flavor Twists
- Smoked Sausage Addition: For extra flavor, add sliced smoked sausage about an hour before serving.
- Shrimp Boost: Add cooked shrimp during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking for a seafood version.
- Spicy Kick: Add a little cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño with the bell peppers for more heat.
- Veggie Loaded: Stir in some fresh spinach during the last few minutes for extra greens.
Tips for Success
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): For a richer flavor, quickly sear the seasoned chicken in a hot pan before putting it in the slow cooker.
- Fresh Herbs are Key: Fresh parsley or chives for garnish really make a difference.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste the sauce before serving and add more seasoning if needed.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use frozen chicken for this Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe?
It’s best to use thawed chicken for the most even cooking and best texture. If you use frozen chicken, you might need to cook it for an extra hour or two. Make sure the chicken is cooked through to a safe temperature.
Q2: What kind of pasta works best for this dish?
Medium-sized pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or fettuccine are great because they hold the creamy sauce well. You can also use spaghetti or linguine if that’s what you have.
Q3: How can I make this Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta spicier?
To make it spicier, you can add more Cajun seasoning, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a finely chopped jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat, leave them in for more) with the bell peppers. A dash of hot sauce at the end also works!
Print
Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This creamy Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is a weeknight lifesaver: tender slow-cooked chicken, al dente pasta, and a spicy cheesy sauce big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 oz fettuccine pasta, uncooked
1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart Crock Pot.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, Rotel, chicken broth, heavy cream, onion, bell pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper.
3. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the Crock Pot.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and easily shredded.
5. Remove chicken and shred with two forks; return to the Crock Pot.
6. Add uncooked fettuccine, pushing it down to submerge; stir well.
7. Cook on HIGH for 20–30 minutes until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
8. Stir in shredded Colby Jack until melted and creamy.
9. Serve hot, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne.
Great with a side salad and garlic bread.
Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg