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Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

High protein slow cooker pasta with tender chicken, bold Cajun spices, and velvety cream sauce perfect for easy weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 625
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 4 tablespoons butter cubed
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning adjust for desired heat level
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 lb penne pasta uncooked
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • fresh chopped parsley or green onions optional garnish

Equipment

  • 6-quart Slow Cooker
  • whisk
  • cutting board

Method
 

  1. Place chicken breasts in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, then add cubed butter. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning and garlic powder evenly over everything.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and is tender enough to shred easily.
  3. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred into large bite-sized pieces using two forks.
  4. Whisk the sauce remaining in the slow cooker thoroughly to emulsify the butter and cream until smooth and unified.
  5. Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir in uncooked penne pasta. Make sure most pasta is submerged in the liquid.
  6. Switch slow cooker to HIGH, cover, and cook for 20-30 minutes. Check pasta at 20 minutes for al dente texture.
  7. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes off heat to allow cheese to melt completely.
  8. Stir once more to coat everything evenly with sauce. Serve warm garnished with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating since pasta continues absorbing sauce. Substitutions: Boneless chicken thighs can replace breasts for more tender results. Add sliced bell peppers and onions at the start for extra vegetables. Half-and-half can replace heavy cream for a lighter version. Make-Ahead: Prepare through step 4, refrigerate, then reheat and add pasta when ready to serve. Pro Tip: If sauce looks too thin after pasta cooks, leave lid off for 5-10 minutes. The pasta starch will naturally thicken the sauce as it cools slightly.