Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 onion, diced
½ red bell pepper, chopped
½ green bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
1 lb penne pasta
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
Chopped parsley, for topping
Instructions
- Add the chicken breasts, onion, bell peppers, garlic, chicken broth, butter, and cajun seasoning into the Crockpot. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- During the last 30 minutes, add the dried penne pasta and stir into the broth. Cook on the high setting for remaining 30 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
- Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Let the cream heat up and the cheese melt, about 10-15 minutes. Stir again, top with chopped parsley, and serve.
Notes
Storage & Reheating Instructions: Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for 3 or 4 days.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through.
Substitutions & Variations:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs or tenderloins work just as well as chicken breasts.
- Add sliced andouille or smoked sausage for extra protein and Cajun flavor.
- Swap the penne for rotini, bowtie, ziti, fettuccine, or spaghetti.
- Cajun seasonings vary in salt, so wait until the end before adding extra salt.
- Like it spicier? Add more Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Stir in vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or zucchini for extra color and nutrition.
- Prefer to cook the pasta separately? Use only 2 cups of broth in the Crockpot, then stir the cooked pasta in with the cream and parmesan.
- If the sauce is thinner than you’d like, stir in a little extra parmesan cheese until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner Recipe
- Method: Slow Cooker/Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
