Ensure your weeknight dinners are a breeze with this Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, a dump-and-go recipe that delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort and is a fantastic way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Key Ingredients for Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (16 ounce) package pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini work well)
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh onion (or 1 tablespoon onion powder)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, for serving (optional)
- Hot sauce, for serving (optional)
How to Make Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Get ready for a ridiculously easy and utterly delicious meal! This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta takes minimal prep, letting your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting to create a rich, satisfying pasta dish that your whole family will devour. With just a few simple ingredients and a little magic from your slow cooker, you can have a comforting, flavor-packed dinner on the table in no time. Preparation time is approximately 15 minutes, with cooking time ranging from 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. If using chicken thighs, make sure to trim any excess fat.
- Add the Soups and Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup and condensed cream of mushroom soup. Add the softened cream cheese cubes. Stir until the cream cheese is mostly incorporated. Spoon this mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Incorporate the Liquids and Seasonings: Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker. Add the chopped fresh onion (or onion powder), minced garlic (or garlic powder), Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything gently to distribute the seasonings and ensure the cream sauce is spread around the chicken.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or on LOW for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The chicken should easily shred with a fork.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or in a bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is resting, cook the pasta according to package directions in a separate pot of boiling salted water. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker with the creamy sauce. Stir to combine. Add the drained, cooked pasta to the slow cooker and stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy Cajun sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash more chicken broth or a little reserved pasta water.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Ladle the Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, shredded cheese, and a dash of hot sauce, if desired. Serve immediately and savor the incredible flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prepare to fall head over heels for this Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta! Its incredibly rich and velvety sauce, infused with the perfect blend of Cajun spices, coats tender shredded chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, making for an irresistible comfort food experience that rivals any restaurant. Not only is it bursting with flavor, but it’s also incredibly budget-friendly, transforming simple pantry staples into a decadent meal that costs a fraction of what you’d spend dining out. The customizable options for toppings like sharp cheddar cheese or a kick of hot sauce elevate this dish from great to unforgettable.
Forget the fuss of stovetop stirring and the fear of overcooked chicken; this dump-and-go recipe is your ticket to stress-free weeknight dinners, allowing you more time to relax and connect with loved ones. It’s the ultimate solution for busy families looking for a hearty, satisfying meal without the meal prep headache. Give this Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta a try tonight and discover your new favorite go-to comfort meal!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftover Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the pasta has cooled completely before sealing the container.
To reheat, you can gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to refresh the creamy sauce as needed. Alternatively, microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. If you wish to freeze portions for future meals, allow the pasta to cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers or bags. Frozen Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta will keep for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is the ultimate weeknight hero, offering rich, comforting flavors with effortless preparation. Give this recipe a try for a delicious and satisfying meal that your whole family will adore!
Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. If using chicken thighs, make sure to trim any excess fat.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- In a medium bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup and condensed cream of mushroom soup. Add the softened cream cheese cubes. Stir until the cream cheese is mostly incorporated. Spoon this mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes, 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker. Add the chopped fresh onion (or onion powder), minced garlic (or garlic powder), Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything gently to distribute the seasonings and ensure the cream sauce is spread around the chicken.1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup chopped fresh onion, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or on LOW for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The chicken should easily shred with a fork.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or in a bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- While the chicken is resting, cook the pasta according to package directions in a separate pot of boiling salted water. Drain the pasta well.1 (16 ounce) package pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini work well)
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker with the creamy sauce. Stir to combine. Add the drained, cooked pasta to the slow cooker and stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy Cajun sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash more chicken broth or a little reserved pasta water.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 (16 ounce) package pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini work well), 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Ladle the Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, shredded cheese, and a dash of hot sauce, if desired. Serve immediately and savor the incredible flavor!1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish, Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, for serving, Hot sauce, for serving