Description
Spicy Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta brings Louisiana’s bold flavors straight to kitchen tables with minimal effort. Creamy, zesty sauce and tender chicken create a hearty meal that satisfies hungry families and delivers authentic southern comfort in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken breasts
Dairy and Cream:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 1 pound (454 grams) penne pasta
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Cajun chicken base by combining chicken breasts, heavy cream, chicken broth, butter, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder in the Crock Pot. Seal and slow-cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, allowing the chicken to become infused with robust Cajun flavors.
- Verify the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, then carefully extract and shred the meat into tender, bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Thoroughly whisk the remaining sauce in the Crock Pot to ensure a smooth, consistent texture.
- Introduce uncooked penne pasta directly into the seasoned liquid, then gently fold the shredded chicken back into the mixture.
- Cover and continue cooking on high for 20-30 minutes, periodically checking pasta’s tenderness to prevent overcooking.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the dish, stirring to integrate. Allow the cheese to melt for 5 minutes, creating a creamy, luxurious coating.
- Serve immediately, enjoying the rich, spicy Cajun-inspired pasta straight from the Crock Pot.
Notes
- Control the spiciness by reducing or increasing the Cajun seasoning to match your personal heat tolerance.
- Swap regular penne pasta with gluten-free pasta options like chickpea or rice pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Stir the pasta occasionally during the final cooking stage to ensure even cooking and prevent clumping at the bottom of the Crock Pot.
- Replace chicken with shrimp, turkey, or plant-based alternatives for a versatile meal that suits different preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (on high) or 6 hours (on low)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 751
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 915 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg