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Easy & Flavorful Dinner Recipe

Easy & Flavorful Dinner Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

This Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a deliciously easy and flavorful dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked with Cajun spices and colorful bell peppers, then combined with a creamy blend of cream cheese and Parmesan. Tossed with al dente pasta and garnished with fresh parsley and extra cheese, it’s a hearty, comforting meal bursting with Cajun flair.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Vegetables

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/2 yellow onion, sliced

Liquids and Dairy

  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Garnish

  • 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  • Crushed red pepper flakes, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Rub chicken breasts evenly with Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. For deeper flavor, marinate the seasoned chicken for 15–20 minutes before cooking.
  2. Slow Cook Chicken and Veggies: Place the seasoned chicken in the crock pot. Add sliced red and green bell peppers, sliced yellow onion, and low-sodium chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender.
  3. Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken out of the crock pot and shred it thoroughly using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the crock pot, blending it with the vegetables and broth.
  4. Add Cream Cheese and Parmesan: Stir in the cubed cream cheese and shredded Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Continue cooking on low for an additional 10–15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  5. Cook Pasta Separately: While the sauce finishes cooking, prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the crock pot and gently stir until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy Cajun chicken sauce.
  7. Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta hot, topped with freshly chopped parsley, extra Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes if desired for extra heat.

Notes

  • To make it spicier, add extra Cajun seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes while cooking.
  • Pasta should be cooked separately to avoid getting too mushy in the crock pot.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt content.
  • For a lighter version, swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt added at the end off the heat.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.

Nutrition

Keywords: crock pot chicken pasta, creamy Cajun chicken, slow cooker Cajun pasta, easy chicken dinner, creamy Cajun pasta

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/easy-and-flavorful-dinner-recipe/