Fettuccine Alfredo is one of the oldest and simplest ways to enjoy pasta. This is a great dish for the whole family, pleasing even the pickiest of eaters with its creamy, cheesy goodness. If you’re feeling bored with having the same old Alfredo week in and week out, how about spicing it up with that Cajun seasoning you found at the grocery store!
Cajun chicken is a great way to spice up your Alfredo night, bringing classic Louisiana spices like paprika, garlic, onion, celery, and mustard to the dish. Cajun food has a reputation for being especially spicy, however Cajun seasoning does not bring a lot of heat to your dish unless you purchase an “extra hot” blend. The flavors of onion, celery, and smoky peppers add depth to the dish and only a hint of subtle heat. If you’re like me and love spicy food, add a couple dashes of your favorite hot sauce to garnish.
Why this recipe works: the earthy spices of the Cajun seasoning spice up the sometimes bland flavor of chicken breasts, while the creamy and cheesy sauce keeps the Cajun mix from being too spicy.
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Alfredo
4
5 minutes
5 hours
5 hours 5 minutes
1 and ½ cups heavy cream
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb chicken breasts, cut into ½ inch pieces
½ cup Cajun seasoning
2 and ½ cups chicken broth
½ pound uncooked penne pasta, about 2 cups
1 cup sliced zucchini, julienned kale, chopped spinach, or medium diced tomato (optional)
1 and ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
Hot sauce garnish (optional)
Place cream, garlic, chicken breasts, Cajun seasoning, and chicken broth in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Remove the chicken and set aside.
Add penne pasta, cover, and cook on high for 30-45 minutes until pasta is tender. Since every slow cooker is different, this may take longer on your crock pot.
Remove the lid and add the chicken back into the pasta mixture.
If adding vegetables, add them in this step.
Add the parmesan cheese and season with salt to taste
Garnish with hot sauce if you like spicy pasta!
Pro Tip: If you don’t want to make the sauce, substitute 1-16 ounce jar of your favorite Alfredo sauce for the first two ingredients and reduce the parmesan cheese to ½ cup. You can add any vegetables you desire to this dish. We suggest adding 1 cup sliced zucchini, julienned kale, chopped spinach, or medium diced tomatoes in step 5. This is an excellent way to sneak great-tasting vegetables into your family’s diet.
