Creamy Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Craving a creamy pasta dinner with a warm Cajun kick and barely any hands on cooking? Creamy Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta gives you tender shredded chicken, penne, Parmesan, and a rich seasoned cream sauce straight from the slow cooker.

This recipe uses chicken breasts, heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, butter, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder before the pasta and Parmesan go in near the end. If creamy chicken dinners are your thing, Creamy Chicken Pasta is another cozy option to keep nearby.

You only need about 10 minutes to get everything started. The full recipe takes 6hr 10 mins, making it a good choice when you want dinner quietly cooking while you handle the rest of the day.

For another pasta dinner with that Cajun warmth, One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta (30 Minutes) takes the idea in a smoky sausage direction.

I wait until the chicken is completely tender before adding the penne because putting the pasta in at the beginning leaves it far too soft by dinnertime. That last short cooking window makes a big difference.

Serve generous bowls with a salad, steamed vegetables, or warm bread. Eight servings make this especially handy for family dinners or nights when you’d like leftovers.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

• Minimal prep: About 10 minutes of measuring and stirring gets the slow cooker started.
• Creamy sauce: Heavy cream, butter, broth, and Parmesan create a rich sauce that coats the penne.
• Cajun warmth: Two tablespoons of Cajun seasoning give the chicken and sauce a noticeable savory kick.
• Family size: The recipe makes eight servings without requiring multiple pans.
• Easy cleanup: The chicken, sauce, and uncooked pasta all finish in the same slow cooker.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Eight straightforward ingredients make the chicken, creamy sauce, and pasta.

• Chicken breasts: 2 pounds provide plenty of tender chicken for eight servings.
• Heavy whipping cream: 2 cups make the sauce rich and creamy.
• Chicken broth: 4 cups provide enough flavorful liquid for the sauce and pasta.
• Butter: 4 tablespoons add richness as the chicken slowly cooks.
• Cajun seasoning: 2 tablespoons give the pasta its characteristic spice and savory flavor.
• Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon adds an easy layer of garlic flavor.
• Penne pasta: 1 pound goes into the slow cooker uncooked near the end.
• Parmesan cheese: 1 cup grated Parmesan melts into the finished sauce.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Load the slow cooker: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot. Pour the heavy whipping cream and chicken broth over them, then add the butter, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder and gently stir the liquids.
2. Slow cook the chicken: Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours, or on High for 2 to 3 hours. The chicken is ready when the center reaches 165°F.
3. Shred the chicken: Lift the cooked chicken onto a board or plate and shred it with two forks, or cut it into bite sized pieces. Return all the chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the creamy sauce.
4. Cook the penne: Add the uncooked penne and stir well. Cover and cook on High for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
5. Finish with Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan until it melts into the sauce and everything looks creamy and well combined. Serve the pasta warm.

Recipe Tips

• Check temperature: Cook the chicken until its thickest part reaches 165°F before shredding it.
• Watch the pasta: Start checking the penne during its 20 to 30 minute cooking window so it stays tender rather than becoming overly soft.
• Stir occasionally: Once the pasta goes in, an occasional stir helps it cook more evenly in the creamy liquid.
• Avoid early pasta: Don’t add the uncooked penne at the beginning with the chicken because several hours in the slow cooker will ruin its texture.

Variations and Customization Ideas

• Change chicken: Boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenders can replace the chicken breasts.
• Swap pasta: Try another sturdy pasta shape such as bow tie pasta or fettuccine if that’s what you have available.
• Add vegetables: Bell peppers or diced broccoli can bring extra color and vegetables to the meal.
• Boost spice: Add tomatoes with green chilies if you want more heat and tomato flavor.
• Try sausage: Smoked sausage can be added or used as an alternative protein for a deeper smoky flavor.

Serving Suggestions

• Add salad: A crisp green salad gives the rich cream sauce a fresh contrast.
• Serve bread: Garlic bread or warm rolls are useful for catching the extra Cajun cream sauce.
• Keep it green: Steamed broccoli or green beans make an easy vegetable side.
• Try another pasta: Creamy Southwest Chicken Pasta is a good next dinner when you want creamy chicken with a different kind of spice.
• Finish simply: A little extra grated Parmesan on each bowl is all this rich pasta really needs.

How to Store and Reheat

Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 4 days. Get the pasta into the refrigerator promptly rather than leaving cooked chicken and cream sauce sitting at room temperature.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave in short intervals, stirring between each one so the pasta heats evenly. Larger portions can be warmed gently in a skillet.

The sauce will thicken as it sits, so a small splash of broth or cream can help loosen it during reheating. Freezing isn’t the best choice because both the cream sauce and cooked pasta can lose their smooth texture after thawing.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I cook Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta on High?

Yes. Cook the chicken mixture on High for 2 to 3 hours, checking that the chicken reaches 165°F. After shredding the chicken, the pasta still needs another 20 to 30 minutes on High.

Does the penne go into the crock pot uncooked?

Yes. Stir the dry penne into the sauce after the chicken has finished cooking and has been shredded or diced, then cook it on High until tender.

Can I make Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta less spicy?

Yes. Cajun seasoning blends vary in heat, so choosing a milder blend is an easy way to control the spice while keeping the Cajun style seasoning.

Creamy Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta works because the slow cooker handles the chicken and sauce first, while the penne cooks only at the end so it stays tender. The Parmesan finishes everything with a creamy, savory texture.

For another rich chicken pasta night, save Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta for later. Add vegetables, change the pasta shape, or adjust the Cajun heat to make this slow cooker dinner fit your table.

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