Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta: Easy Dinner
Cozy Weeknight Meal Pasta.
A simple, flavorful, and creamy Cajun chicken pasta made right in the crock pot. The perfect easy weeknight dinner!
I remember one particular Tuesday. The kind where everything feels like it’s unraveling just a little bit. The kids were a flurry of activity, work was demanding, and the thought of making dinner felt… heavy. But in the morning, I’d tossed everything for this pasta into the slow cooker. I mean, it took all of ten minutes. Walking in the door that evening to the smell of garlic and cajun spices, well, it felt like the house was taking care of me for a change. That’s the feeling this dish gives me. Pure, simple comfort.
Why You'll Adore This Recipe
- •It’s a true 'set it and forget it' meal for busy days.
- •The sauce is unbelievably creamy and packed with flavor.
- •It has the perfect gentle warmth from the Cajun spices.
- •Your whole house will smell absolutely amazing while it cooks.
- •It’s a family-pleasing meal that feels special without the effort.
- •Clean-up is a breeze, which is always a bonus.
Wow. I made this last night and my family devoured it. My husband, who is usually so quiet, actually said, 'This is the best thing you've made all month.' It was so easy, and the flavor was just incredible. It felt like a weekend meal on a weeknight.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Cajun Seasoning: This is the heart of the dish. You can use your favorite store-bought brand. If you're sensitive to salt, look for a low-sodium version. The amount is really up to you—start with a little less if you’re unsure about the spice level.
- Cream Cheese: Honestly, full-fat cream cheese is the way to go here. It melts into the most luxurious, velvety sauce. Make sure it's softened so it incorporates smoothly without any lumps. Just let it sit out on the counter for a bit.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless breasts work perfectly because they cook up tender and shred so easily. You could also use chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat; they'd be just as lovely.
Complete Cooking Process
- Layer your chicken at the bottom of the crock pot.
- Sprinkle generously with all your seasonings.
- Top with the colorful diced peppers, onion, and garlic.
- Pour in the chicken broth, cover, and let it do its thing for the afternoon.
- Once the chicken is tender, take it out and shred it. It should fall apart beautifully.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Add the softened cream cheese cubes and heavy cream right into the pot with all those lovely juices.
- Stir gently until everything melts into a dreamy, creamy sauce.
- Cook your favorite pasta separately. Penne is perfect because it catches all the sauce.
- Drain the pasta well and add it directly to the crock pot.
- Fold in the grated Parmesan and give it one last stir.
- Garnish with some fresh parsley for a bit of color and freshness. And that's it!
A Few Common Questions
→Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be wonderful. They have a bit more fat, which adds even more flavor and they stay incredibly moist.
→Is this recipe very spicy?
You have complete control over the spice level. The creaminess from the cheese and cream really balances the heat. If you're worried, start with half the amount of Cajun seasoning and you can always add more at the end.
→Can I add the uncooked pasta directly to the crock pot?
I really don't recommend it. Pasta cooked in a slow cooker tends to get gummy and absorb too much liquid, leaving you with a dry dish. It's best to cook it separately right at the end.
→What if my sauce is too thick?
Easy fix! Just stir in a splash more chicken broth or heavy cream until it reaches a consistency you love. You can also use a little of the starchy pasta water you saved.
Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta: Easy Dinner
Make crock pot creamy cajun chicken pasta for an easy and delicious dinner. This simple recipe is perfect for busy weeknights!
Timing
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
4-6 hours
Total Time
4 hours 15 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Crock Pot Chicken
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 023 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (use more or less to your taste)
- 031 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 041/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 051 yellow onion, diced
- 061 red bell pepper, diced
- 071 green bell pepper, diced
- 084 cloves garlic, minced
- 091 cup low-sodium chicken broth
For the Creamy Sauce & Pasta
- 018 oz block cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 021 cup heavy cream
- 0316 oz penne pasta, cooked al dente according to package directions
- 041/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 05Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle them evenly with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
Scatter the diced onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and minced garlic over the chicken.
Pour the chicken broth over everything. Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the crock pot and place them on a cutting board. Shred the chicken using two forks, then return it to the crock pot.
Stir in the cubed cream cheese and heavy cream until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This might take a few minutes of gentle stirring.
While the sauce comes together, cook your penne pasta according to package directions until it's al dente. Drain well.
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the slow cooker along with the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently to combine everything, making sure the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
Let it sit for about 10 minutes on the 'keep warm' setting for the flavors to meld. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes & Tips
- 1Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- 2If you don't have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half, but the sauce won't be quite as rich.
- 3The recipe is forgiving. If you don't have two kinds of bell peppers, just use one!
Tools You'll Need
- •Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest, most stable sauce.
- •Don't overcook the chicken. Check it at the lower end of the time range to ensure it stays tender.
- •Cook your pasta just until al dente. It will soften a little more when you mix it into the hot sauce.
- •Save a little bit of the starchy pasta water before you drain it. It’s perfect for thinning the sauce if needed.
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