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