Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is comfort food with a kick. Tender chicken slow-cooked in a spiced, creamy tomato sauce becomes rich and fragrant. The sauce clings to penne for a saucy, satisfying plate with smoky Cajun heat and a hint of garlic. It smells savory, looks creamy and orange, and offers a mix of tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a silky sauce.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (4 hours slow cook + 30 minutes with pasta)
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving — values will vary by brands and portion sizes)
- Calories per serving: 645 kcal
- Protein: 45 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fat: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
Why Make This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This dish is perfect when you want a hands-off, flavor-forward weeknight dinner. The slow cooker builds deep flavor while keeping the chicken moist. The creamy Cajun sauce is warm, slightly spicy, and comforting. It’s ideal for busy days, potlucks, or when you want a dinner that smells amazing and feeds a crowd with little fuss.
How to Make Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This recipe uses simple steps: layer the chicken, pour a creamy, seasoned sauce over it, slow-cook until tender, shred the chicken, add uncooked penne and finish in the crock pot. The result is a creamy, well-seasoned pasta with tender shredded chicken and bright tomato notes.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Place chicken breasts in the crock pot. Mince the garlic, dice the onion and green pepper, and measure the heavy cream, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes. Have the Cajun seasoning and penne ready.
Step 2: Mixing
In a separate bowl, mix heavy cream, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, minced garlic, and Cajun seasoning until combined. Taste a small spoonful and adjust seasoning as needed (remember it will mellow as it cooks).
Step 3: Cooking
Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours (up to 6 hours if needed) or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. The sauce will become fragrant with garlic and Cajun spices.
Step 4: Finishing
Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot. Add the uncooked penne pasta and stir well to combine. Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Stir halfway through the pasta cook time to prevent sticking. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley.
How to Serve Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Serve hot with a green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. Garlic bread or crusty French bread soaks up the sauce nicely. For a casual family meal, place the crock pot on the table and let everyone help themselves. Garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley for color and a fresh finish.
How to Store Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Freeze: For best texture, freeze the sauce and shredded chicken without pasta for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat gently, then cook fresh pasta and combine. Creamy sauces can separate when frozen, so reheat slowly over low heat and whisk or stir to bring it back together.
- Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each.
Expert Tips for Perfect Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Use fresh garlic and diced vegetables for brighter flavor.
- Taste the sauce before slow cooking — it will deepen, but you can adjust spice levels up front.
- Check chicken at the shorter end of the cooking window if your slow cooker runs hot.
- Stir the pasta once during the 30-minute finish to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- If the sauce looks too thin after adding pasta, remove the lid and cook 10–15 minutes longer or stir in a small slurry of cornstarch and water.
- For a richer texture, stir in a little extra cream or a spoonful of cream cheese at the end.
- Test chicken doneness with an instant-read thermometer: 165°F (74°C) is safe and juicy.
Delicious Variations
- Shrimp or Sausage: Substitute cooked shrimp or sliced smoked sausage for the chicken for a different flavor profile.
- Lighter Version: Use half-and-half or whole milk with a tablespoon of cornstarch instead of heavy cream to cut calories.
- Veggie Boost: Add spinach or kale in the last 10 minutes of cooking for color and nutrition.
- Spicier: Add cajun sauce or 1/4–1/2 teaspoon cayenne for extra heat.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free penne and ensure your Cajun seasoning is gluten-free.
- Cheesy Bake: After mixing pasta and chicken, spread in a baking dish, top with extra Parmesan and mozzarella, and broil 3–5 minutes for a bubbly top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
A: Yes. If using frozen breasts, increase the slow-cook time by about 1–2 hours and ensure the chicken reaches 165°F. For food safety, avoid slow-cooking frozen meat in some older slow cooker models — thaw overnight when possible.
Q: Can I cook the pasta separately instead of in the crock pot?
A: Absolutely. Cook pasta al dente on the stove, then stir into the finished sauce and shredded chicken just before serving. This prevents any risk of overcooked, mushy pasta and helps with freezing the sauce separately.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free or lower fat?
A: Yes. Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free (it will change flavor slightly) or use low-fat milk plus a tablespoon of cornstarch as a thickener for lower fat. Greek yogurt can be stirred in at the end over low heat, but avoid boiling after adding yogurt to prevent curdling.
Q: How do I reduce the sodium?
A: Use low-sodium chicken broth, limit added salt, and choose a low-sodium Cajun seasoning or make your own so you control the salt. Omit Parmesan or use a lower-sodium grated cheese.
Q: Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
A: Yes. Use a larger slow cooker and extend the cook time slightly if needed. Make sure ingredients are not piled too tightly — the heat should circulate. If doubling, you might add the pasta in batches or cook it separately and fold it together.
Q: My sauce separated after reheating — how can I fix it?
A: Whisk in a splash of warm broth or milk while heating over low heat. A small pat of butter or a tablespoon of cream stirred in can help emulsify the sauce. Avoid high heat which encourages separation.
Conclusion
This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is an easy, cozy meal that fills your home with warm, spicy aroma and delivers tender chicken and comforting, creamy pasta. It’s a great weeknight choice and adapts well to swaps like shrimp, sausage, or lighter dairy. For a similar tested version and extra tips, see this recipe: Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe Made Easy. Give it a try — the slow cooker does the work and you get a delicious, saucy dinner to enjoy.
Print
Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 285 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comfort food dish featuring tender chicken slow-cooked in a spiced, creamy tomato sauce, served with penne pasta for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the crock pot. Mince the garlic, dice the onion and green pepper, and measure the heavy cream, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes.
- In a separate bowl, mix heavy cream, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, minced garlic, and Cajun seasoning until combined. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot. Add the uncooked penne pasta and stir well to combine. Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For best results, use fresh garlic and taste the sauce before cooking to adjust spices. Can substitute shrimp or sausage for chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 270 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 645
- Sugar: 2.5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
