Description
Craving comfort? Creamy cajun chicken pasta brings Southern charm to weeknight dinners. Home cooks savor rich flavors and simple preparation that make this dish a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta, uncooked
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Generously dust chicken pieces with Cajun spice blend, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sear chicken in hot olive oil until golden brown and caramelized on each side, roughly 2-3 minutes per surface.
- Transfer seared chicken into slow cooker, combining with aromatic chicken broth, rich heavy cream, zesty diced tomatoes, and minced garlic.
- Thoroughly blend all ingredients, creating a unified sauce base.
- Set crock pot to low temperature and allow mixture to simmer gently for 3-4 hours, enabling chicken to become supremely tender and flavorful.
- During final 30 minutes of cooking, introduce uncooked pasta directly into the liquid, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Once pasta reaches desired tenderness, incorporate Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until completely melted and creating a luxuriously creamy consistency.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance overall taste profile.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over dish for vibrant color and herbaceous finish before serving hot.
Notes
- Use homemade Cajun seasoning for a personalized flavor profile and control over sodium levels.
- Opt for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
- Reduce cooking time by cutting chicken into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure even and quicker cooking.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for increased nutrition and a vibrant color boost.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 521 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg