Description
crock pot creamy cajun chicken pasta is the easy slow cooker dinner that tastes bold, cozy, and restaurant-worthy—tender chicken simmered with Cajun spices, then finished with cream cheese, Parmesan, and pasta for a silky, spicy sauce. This creamy Cajun chicken pasta is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, and comfort food cravings. Customize the heat level and add peppers or spinach for an easy one-pot style meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (start with 1 1/2 tbsp if salty)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, to brighten)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (for serving)
- Optional add-ins: 1 bell pepper sliced (add last 60–90 min), 1 cup spinach (stir in at end), 1/4 tsp cayenne for extra heat
Instructions
- 1. Add onion, garlic, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper to the slow cooker and stir
- 2. Nestle chicken into the seasoned broth, cover, and cook on LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2.5–3.5 hours until tender
- 3. Remove chicken, shred or slice, then return it to the slow cooker
- 4. Turn to HIGH if needed and stir in softened cream cheese until fully melted and smooth
- 5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan and mix until the sauce looks glossy
- 6. Cook pasta on the stove until just shy of al dente, drain, then stir into the slow cooker
- 7. Let stand 5–10 minutes to thicken; add a splash of broth if needed
- 8. Taste and adjust seasoning; stir in lemon juice if desired and top with parsley to serve
Notes
- Cook pasta separately for the best texture; slow cookers can overcook pasta quickly
- Soften cream cheese first to prevent lumps and help it melt smoothly
- Cajun seasoning salt levels vary—start smaller, then adjust after dairy is added
- Too thick? Loosen with hot broth or reserved pasta water, a splash at a time
- Too spicy? Add extra cream cheese or a splash of cream, or stir in more pasta
- Add bell peppers late so they stay pleasantly tender-crisp
- For extra heat, add cayenne or hot sauce at the end so you don’t overdo it
- Reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk to bring the sauce back to creamy
- Freeze in portions up to 2 months; pasta softens slightly but still tastes great
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg
Keywords: crock pot creamy cajun chicken pasta, creamy cajun chicken pasta, slow cooker cajun chicken, cajun pasta, crockpot pasta recipe, spicy creamy pasta, easy weeknight dinner