Name: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless (skinless chicken breasts (or boneless thighs)); 12 to 14 ounces andouille sausage (sliced into ½-inch rounds); 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning sausage); 1 medium yellow onion (diced); 1 green bell pepper (diced); 2 celery stalks (diced (optional)); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium recommended); 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (start with 1½ tablespoons if your blend contains salt); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 8 ounces cream cheese (softened and cubed); 1½ cups heavy cream; 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 1 pound penne or fettuccine (cooked al dente); ½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed); 2 cups baby spinach (optional); 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional garnish); 2 to 3 green onions (sliced (optional garnish))

Description

This hearty Cajun chicken pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds boneless (skinless chicken breasts (or boneless thighs))
12 to 14 ounces andouille sausage (sliced into ½-inch rounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning sausage)
1 medium yellow onion (diced)
1 green bell pepper (diced)
2 celery stalks (diced (optional))
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (start with 1½ tablespoons if your blend contains salt)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 ounces cream cheese (softened and cubed)
1½ cups heavy cream
1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound penne or fettuccine (cooked al dente)
½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
2 cups baby spinach (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional garnish)
2 to 3 green onions (sliced (optional garnish))

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Instructions

Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray.
Optional: Brown the sausage slices in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, just until lightly browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Add onion, bell pepper, celery (if using), and garlic to the slow cooker.
Place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper over the chicken.
Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker. Add the sausage (if you didn’t brown it earlier, add it now). Dot the top with butter.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours (or high for 2 to 3 hours), until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Cook pasta separately until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred or slice.
Turn slow cooker to low. Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
Add Parmesan in small handfuls, stirring between additions until melted and the sauce is smooth. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Return chicken to the slow cooker. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat.
Stir in spinach (if using) and let it wilt for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve warm with parsley and green onions, if desired.

Notes

This recipe can be adjusted based on your preference for spice level by varying the amount of Cajun seasoning.
Substituting half-and-half for heavy cream will result in a lighter dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 600
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 1000mg
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: 21g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 150mg