Description
A cozy, slow-cooked pasta dish featuring tender chicken, tangy Cajun seasoning, and a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz penne pasta
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub both sides evenly with the Cajun seasoning, and add a pinch of salt and several turns of black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 1–2 minutes per side until lightly browned (optional).
- Place the chicken breasts in the crock pot and scatter minced garlic and diced red bell pepper around them. Pour in the chicken broth and cover the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken is tender enough to shred.
- Remove chicken from the crock pot, shred or slice, and return it to the slow cooker.
- Add heavy cream and softened cream cheese to the crock pot, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
- Add the drained penne and grated Parmesan to the crock pot, stirring to coat the pasta in the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavors, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For best results, cook pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy. Use fresh parsley for garnish for an added flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 300 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: crock pot, creamy pasta, Cajun chicken, weeknight dinner, slow cooker