Description
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish that combines bold Cajun seasoning with a luscious alfredo sauce. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, this one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken, creamy sauce, and pasta come together to create a comforting meal with just the right amount of spice.
Ingredients
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Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
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Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
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Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
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Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
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Paprika
- 1 teaspoon paprika
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Salt and Pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
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Heavy Cream
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
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Cream Cheese (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
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Parmesan Cheese (grated)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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Chicken Broth
- 1 cup chicken broth
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Pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite type)
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni recommended)
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Fresh Parsley (optional, for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
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Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning the chicken)
Instructions
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Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Cook the chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides for 3-4 minutes per side to develop flavor and color.
- The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked as it will finish cooking in the slow cooker.
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Set up the slow cooker:
- Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add heavy cream, softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine.
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Cook:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
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Shred the chicken:
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the creamy sauce in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
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Cook the pasta:
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
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Combine:
- Stir the cooked pasta into the slow cooker with the chicken and sauce. Mix until the pasta is well-coated with the creamy Cajun alfredo sauce.
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Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra spice: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for more heat.
Use sausage: Swap chicken for andouille sausage, or use both sausage and chicken for a heartier dish.
Lighten it up: Substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream for a lighter version of the dish.
Vegetable add-ins: Feel free to add bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to the slow cooker for added texture and flavor.