Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a scrumptious and filling meal that’s not only effortless to make in the slow cooker but also perfect for serving a large group of people! This easy dish is packed with succulent chicken, smoky sausage, and a luscious Cajun alfredo sauce, all cooked right in a slow cooker.
We may be a little obsessed with easy slow cooker dinners! Seriously, nothing beats coming home to a warm comforting meal that has been simmering in the crockpot all day, and the slow cooker basically does all the work for you.
This easy slow cooker chicken cajun alfredo pasta is no exception! It requires just a few ingredients and an extra step of searing the chicken. But the slow cooker does everything else.
For more easy slow cooker meals, check out our slow cooker jambalaya pasta, slow cooker Ritz chicken, slow cooker french onion chicken, Crockpot pineapple pork loin, and the easiest Crockpot chicken parm subs made with homemade chicken meatballs!
Key Ingredients
- Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced lengthwise to create thin cutlets.
- Smoked sausage: Look for a high-quality smoked sausage with a nice balance of spices. Andouille sausage is a traditional choice for Cajun cuisine, but any smoked sausage will work.
- Heavy cream: Be sure to use heavy cream and not half-and-half or milk, as they won’t thicken the sauce as well.
- Chicken broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Butter: To add richness to the sauce. Use unsalted butter, and then add as much salt as needed to your sauce.
- Cajun seasoning: Homemade or store-bought. Our favorite store-bought cajun seasoning is Slap ya Mama (We buy it from Walmart). Or make your own with a combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano.
- Pasta: We used penne pasta here, but any shape of pasta works here.
- Parmesan cheese: Always use real parmesan cheese, and go for freshly grated parmesan from a wedge for the best flavor.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
How To Make Cajun Chicken Alfredo in the Slow Cooker
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, sear the chicken on both sides until it’s browned, but not cooked entirely.
- Prepare the slow cooker: Add the seared chicken, sliced sausage, heavy cream, chicken broth, butter, garlic, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to an 8-quart slow cooker. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 hours.
- Cook the pasta: About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let it cool slightly. Once cooled, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the dry pasta to the slow cooker and stir well to ensure all the pasta is submerged in the sauce. Turn the slow cooker to high heat and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- Add Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker and stir well to combine. Top the dish with the sliced chicken.
- Serve! Serve the Creamy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta hot with a garnish of freshly chopped parsley or sliced green onions.
Recipe Tips
- To save time, you can sear the chicken and sausage ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to make the dish.
- If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken it up.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a little extra chicken broth or heavy cream.
- Serve the dish hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped scallions for a pop of color and flavor.
Recipe FAQs
You can use frozen chicken, but you won’t be able to sear it. I recommend that you thaw the chicken completely, sear it, and then add it to your slow cooker for the best texture.
If you prefer a milder sauce, simply reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or omit it altogether.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the pasta in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce. Give it a stir, and enjoy.
We hope you enjoy making and savoring this Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Alfredo recipe as much as we do! It’s an easy and flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend get-togethers. Don’t forget to rate and review the recipe and share your thoughts with us in the comments below. We love hearing from you and your feedback helps us to create even more delicious family-friendly recipes.
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Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Alfredo
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil not extra virgin
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1 pound smoked sausage sliced into 1 inch pieces
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ stick unsalted butter 4 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 pound dry pasta I used penne
- 8 oz shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt and pepper
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and season it with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, sear the chicken on both sides until it's browned, but not cooked entirely.
- Add the seared chicken, sliced sausage, heavy cream, low-sodium chicken broth, unsalted butter, minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper to an 8-quart slow cooker.
- Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let it cool slightly. Once cooled, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the dry pasta to the slow cooker and stir well to ensure all the pasta is coated with the sauce. Turn the slow cooker to high heat and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker and stir well to combine. Top the dish with the sliced chicken. Serve the hot with a garnish of freshly chopped parsley or scallions
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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