Description
Crockpots reveal magic with this creamy cajun chicken pasta recipe that blends Louisiana spice and comfort. Hearty dinner delivers bold flavors perfect for family meals and simple weekend cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces penne pasta, cooked
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Blend Cajun-inspired spices, creating a robust seasoning mixture to coat the chicken thoroughly, ensuring deep flavor penetration.
- Sear chicken breasts in hot olive oil for 2 minutes per side, developing a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
- Transfer seared chicken into the crock pot, introducing chicken broth, rich heavy cream, and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Slow cook on low temperature for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, allowing chicken to become incredibly tender and absorb surrounding flavors.
- Gently shred chicken using two forks, creating succulent, bite-sized pieces that will blend seamlessly with the creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until they melt completely and create a luxurious, velvety texture.
- If sauce appears thin, create a quick cornstarch slurry and fold into the mixture, allowing it to thicken during an additional 15-minute cooking cycle.
- Introduce pre-cooked penne pasta, carefully folding to ensure even distribution of the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Finish by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley across the top, adding a bright, herbaceous note to the rich dish.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, allowing diners to experience the full depth of Cajun-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Customize the Cajun seasoning blend to control spice levels, using more or less based on personal heat tolerance.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for increased nutrition and flavor complexity.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk alternatives for lighter versions of the dish.
- Ensure chicken is fully coated with seasoning for maximum flavor penetration during slow cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (or 5 hours)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg