Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
A delicious and creamy one-pot meal that brings the taste of the South to your dinner table. Perfect for busy days with easy cleanup!
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 piece bell pepper, sliced (any color)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Sauce
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
Garnish
- to taste Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Place the chicken breasts in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings into the chicken to ensure even coating.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, lightly brown the chicken on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side to seal in the flavors.
- Remove the chicken and place it in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add the sliced bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic on top of the chicken.
Cooking
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
- Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the crock pot. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the crock pot.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, mixing until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- In the meantime, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and add the cooked pasta to the crock pot and stir well to combine with the sauce and chicken.
- Allow everything to heat together in the crock pot for another 15-20 minutes on low, to ensure it’s thoroughly warmed.
Serving
- Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
For spicier flavor, add more Cajun seasoning or diced jalapeños. Substitute heavy cream with cream cheese for a thicker sauce. If using frozen chicken, increase cooking time to 6-7 hours on low.