This Crockpot Cajun Chicken Pasta is a rich, spicy, and creamy dinner that practically cooks itself. Tender shredded chicken and al dente pasta are simmered together in a savory Cajun cream sauce, creating a one-pot meal that is bursting with flavor.
With a velvety parmesan finish and a kick of spice, this set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something indulgent.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: This dish is bold and savory, featuring the smoky heat of Cajun seasoning balanced by the richness of butter, heavy cream, and chicken broth.
- Texture: Soft, saucy pasta and tender chicken are coated in a thick, luxurious cheese sauce.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, plus 4-6 hours slow cooking time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. It is a dump-and-go meal where even the pasta cooks right in the pot.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a 6-quart crock pot (slow cooker) to hold all the liquid and pasta. A whisk is helpful for smoothing out the sauce before adding the pasta back in. The ingredients rely on pantry staples like penne pasta and chicken broth, combined with fresh chicken breasts and rich dairy for the sauce.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts – You need 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts. Slow cooking them in the broth ensures they remain juicy and shred easily.
- Cajun Seasoning – This is the star flavor. It provides heat, salt, and aromatic spices like paprika and oregano. Adjust the amount if you are sensitive to spice.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – This creates the luscious, velvety base of the sauce that withstands the long cook time without curdling like milk might.
- Chicken Broth – Using 4 cups of broth provides enough liquid to cook the chicken and later hydrate the dry pasta.
- Butter – Adds richness and helps create a smooth mouthfeel in the sauce.
- Penne Pasta – A sturdy tube pasta like penne is essential for holding up to the thick sauce and slow cooker heat without turning to mush.
- Parmesan Cheese – Grated parmesan thickens the sauce at the end and adds a salty, nutty finish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Vegetables – Sliced bell peppers or onions can be added at the beginning for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Sausage – Sliced Andouille sausage added with the chicken would bring an authentic Cajun flair and extra smokiness.
- Pasta Shapes – Rotini or rigatoni work well as substitutes for penne. Avoid delicate long noodles like spaghetti.
How to Make Crockpot Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Slow Cook Chicken: Add the chicken breasts, heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning into a 6-quart crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is cooked through (has an internal temperature of 165 degrees F).
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the crock pot and place it on a cutting board. Shred it with two forks or dice it into large pieces.
- Cook Pasta: Whisk the sauce remaining in the crock pot to ensure it is smooth. Return the shredded chicken back to the crock pot and stir in the uncooked penne pasta.
- Final Cook: Cover and cook on high for 20-30 minutes. Check it occasionally; it is done when the pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Melt Cheese: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Cover for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and thicken the sauce.
- Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Don’t let the pasta cook too long in the slow cooker! Pasta can go from al dente to mushy very quickly. Check it at the 20-minute mark to see if it is tender.
Recipe Tips
- Shredding: Shred the chicken into larger chunks rather than fine threads. This gives the dish a better texture and prevents the meat from getting lost in the pasta.
- Sauce Thickness: The sauce might look thin when you first add the pasta, but the starch from the noodles and the addition of parmesan cheese will thicken it significantly by the end.
- Spice Level: Cajun seasoning varies by brand. Taste your broth before adding the pasta. If it needs more kick, add a little extra seasoning or cayenne pepper.
FAQs
- Can I use frozen chicken? It is generally not recommended to put frozen meat directly into a slow cooker due to food safety temperature zones. Thaw the chicken first.
- Can I use milk instead of cream? Heavy cream is much more stable in the slow cooker. Milk or half-and-half are more likely to curdle or separate during the long cooking process.
- How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You may need to add a splash of water or milk when reheating as the pasta will absorb the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Greens: A side of steamed broccoli or green beans adds a fresh contrast to the rich, spicy pasta.
- Bread: Serve with garlic bread or corn muffins to soak up the sauce.
- Salad: A cool cucumber salad helps balance the heat of the Cajun spices.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can trim the chicken and measure out the spices the night before.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked chicken in the sauce base. Thaw, heat in the crockpot, and then add the pasta and cheese fresh when ready to serve.
Crockpot Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: Approx. 5-6 hours
- Yield: 6-8 Servings 1x
Description
This Crockpot Cajun Chicken Pasta is a rich, spicy, and creamy dinner that practically cooks itself. Tender shredded chicken and al dente pasta are simmered together in a savory Cajun cream sauce, creating a one-pot meal that is bursting with flavor. With a velvety Parmesan finish and a kick of spice, this set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something indulgent.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound dry Penne pasta
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Slow Cook Chicken
Place the chicken breasts, heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning into a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 4–6 hours or on High for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
Shred
Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Shred it with two forks or dice it into large chunks.
Add Pasta
Whisk the liquid remaining in the crockpot to ensure the sauce is smooth. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir in the uncooked penne pasta.
Final Cook
Cover and cook on High for 20–30 minutes. Critical Step: Check the pasta at the 20-minute mark. It cooks quickly in the hot liquid and can turn mushy if left too long.
Melt Cheese
Once the pasta is tender, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken.
Serve
Stir one last time and serve warm.
Notes
Cream Choice: Do not substitute milk or half-and-half for the heavy whipping cream. The long cooking time and heat will cause lower-fat dairy to curdle and separate. Heavy cream remains stable and luscious.
Pasta Texture: Pasta in the slow cooker is tricky. Start checking for doneness around 20 minutes. It should be al dente (firm to the bite) because it will continue to soften as it sits in the hot sauce.
Sauce Consistency: The sauce may look thin when you first add the pasta. Don’t worry the starch released by the noodles and the addition of the Parmesan at the end will thicken it significantly.
Spice Control: Cajun seasoning varies by brand. If you are sensitive to salt or heat, start with less seasoning and add more at the end after tasting the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–6 hours (plus 30 mins for pasta)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American / Cajun-Style
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: crockpot cajun chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, slow cooker pasta recipes, spicy chicken pasta, easy family dinners, dump and go meals, rich pasta sauce
