Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
A slow-cooker favorite: tender chicken cooked with aromatic Cajun spices, bell peppers, and onions, tossed in a creamy sauce with pasta. Easy to prep, cozy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 3–4 hours on low
Total: 3–4 hours
Servings:3–4
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Veggies
500g boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 small onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1–2 tsp Cajun seasoning
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp dried oregano
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Sauce
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream or Greek yogurt
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
Optional: ½ tsp chili flakes for extra heat
For the Pasta
250g pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle)
½ tsp salt for pasta water
Optional Garnishes
Chopped parsley or basil
Extra Parmesan
Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Prep Crock Pot
Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
Add sliced bell peppers, onion, garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Drizzle olive oil and toss to coat.
2. Cook Chicken
Pour chicken broth over the chicken & veggies.
Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours (or high for 1.5–2 hours) until chicken is tender and cooked through.
3. Shred Chicken
Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the crock pot.
Stir in heavy cream (or Greek yogurt) and Parmesan cheese.
Mix until creamy and heated through.
4. Cook Pasta
Cook pasta separately according to package instructions until al dente.
Drain and reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
5. Combine
Add cooked pasta to the crock pot and stir.
Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
6. Serve
Garnish with chopped parsley or basil, extra Parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon.
Tips
For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of cream.
Add extra veggies: zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach at the end.
For meal prep: store pasta separately from sauce, combine before serving.
Spice level: adjust Cajun seasoning and chili flakes to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes — replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes — add 30–45 minutes to cook time on low.
Q: Can I make it ahead?
Yes — store pasta and creamy chicken mixture separately; reheat before serving.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 480
Protein: 35g
Carbs: 45g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 4–5g