Description
This Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken with penne pasta, rich heavy cream, and a medley of fresh bell peppers and garlic. Slow-cooked to perfection, it offers a convenient and hearty meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned, drained)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz penne pasta
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning until they are evenly coated to ensure the chicken is flavorful throughout cooking.
- Assemble in Crock Pot: Transfer the seasoned chicken pieces into the slow cooker, making sure they are evenly spread.
- Add Sauce and Vegetables: Pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken. Add the diced tomatoes, sliced red and green bell peppers, and minced garlic to the crock pot.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir all ingredients gently in the crock pot to combine them well and distribute flavors evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Add Pasta: Approximately 15 minutes before the slow cooking finishes, add the uncooked penne pasta directly into the crock pot.
- Submerge Pasta: Stir the mixture to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the sauce for even cooking.
- Continue Cooking: Cover and continue cooking on high for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- Season and Adjust: Taste the pasta and sauce, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed to enhance flavor.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy Cajun chicken pasta into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot for the best taste experience.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your spice preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure to drain diced tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid diluting the sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can stir in a small amount of cornstarch slurry during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much.
