Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with a dish that is bursting with flavor and incredibly easy to make. This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is the perfect one-pot meal for a busy weeknight, delivering a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort. Tender, juicy chicken is slow-cooked with bell peppers and onions in a zesty, savory Cajun-spiced sauce, then finished with cream cheese and Parmesan for a luxurious, creamy texture. Tossed with tender pasta, it’s a complete and satisfying meal the whole family will crave.
Why This is the Ultimate Slow Cooker Pasta Dish
This recipe is a true game-changer for easy, flavorful meals. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The bold, zesty flavor of Cajun seasoning combined with a rich and creamy sauce creates a perfectly balanced and addictive taste.
- Set It and Forget It: After a quick sauté of the veggies, the slow cooker does all the work, making the chicken fall-apart tender and infusing it with flavor.
- Rich and Creamy Sauce: Cream cheese and Parmesan are stirred in at the end, creating a velvety, decadent sauce that coats every piece of chicken and pasta.
- A Complete One-Pot Meal: This dish has it all—protein, vegetables, and carbs—making it a satisfying and easy dinner solution.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses a handful of fresh ingredients and pantry staples to create its signature bold flavor.
The Ingredient Lineup:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- Cajun Seasoning Mix: 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- For Garnish: Fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes.
Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Instructions
Get ready for an incredibly easy and delicious pasta dinner.
Part 1: The First Cook
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Season the chicken breasts generously on all sides with this mixture.
- Sauté Vegetables (Optional but Recommended): In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until they begin to soften. This step adds a layer of flavor, but you can skip it and add the raw vegetables directly to the crockpot if you’re short on time.
- Layer the Crockpot: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Top with the sautéed (or raw) peppers and onions. Pour the chicken broth over everything.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Part 2: The Creamy Finish
- Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is up, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, cook your pasta in a separate pot of salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain it well.
- Make it Creamy: Stir the softened cream cheese and the shredded Parmesan cheese into the slow cooker until they have melted into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the slow cooker and stir everything together until the chicken and pasta are well-coated in the creamy Cajun sauce. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How can I control the spice level of this Cajun chicken pasta? The heat in this dish comes primarily from the Cajun seasoning and any optional red pepper flakes. To make it milder, use a mild brand of Cajun seasoning and omit the red pepper flakes. For a spicier version, use a hot Cajun seasoning and be more generous with the red pepper flakes, or even add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the finished dish.
2. Can I cook the pasta directly in the slow cooker? While it might be tempting, it is highly recommended to cook the pasta separately. Slow cookers can cook pasta unevenly and often turn it very mushy. Cooking the pasta al dente on the stovetop and stirring it in at the end ensures a perfect texture for your final dish.
3. What can I use instead of chicken breasts? This recipe is also delicious with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which stay very moist in the slow cooker. You could also make a fantastic version with andouille sausage. Simply slice the cooked sausage and add it to the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes of cooking time to heat it through.
4. How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Reheat it gently in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce back to its original creamy consistency.
Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Skillet for optional sauté
- Large pot for pasta
- colander
- Mixing spoon
- two forks for shredding chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- red pepper flakes (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Mix Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Season chicken breasts generously.
- (Optional) Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté bell peppers and onion for 3–5 minutes until softened. Or add raw to the crockpot.
- Place seasoned chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add peppers, onions, and garlic. Pour chicken broth over everything.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Cook pasta separately in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well.
- Shred chicken in the slow cooker. Stir in softened cream cheese and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Add cooked pasta to the slow cooker. Stir to coat pasta with creamy Cajun sauce. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes before serving.