Creamy One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
A quick and easy one pot pasta dish combining tender chicken, smoky fajita spices, and creamy sauce for a comforting Tex-Mex inspired dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 2 medium bell peppers (mix of colors like red and green), sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz (225 g) penne or rigatoni pasta
- 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tbsp fajita seasoning (blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Handful fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Thinly slice chicken breast into strips. Slice bell peppers and onion into thin strips. Mince garlic cloves. Measure out pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
- Heat the pan: Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add chicken strips seasoned with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp fajita seasoning. Cook for 4-5 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the veggies: In the same pan, add sliced onion and bell peppers. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add pasta and liquids: Return chicken to the pan. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Sprinkle remaining 1 tbsp fajita seasoning over everything. Stir in dry pasta, ensuring it is submerged in liquid.
- Cook covered: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover with lid and simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and liquid mostly absorbed.
- Finish with cheese: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top. Serve hot.
Notes
If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth to loosen. If too thin, cook uncovered a few minutes to reduce. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Use a lid to trap steam and cook pasta evenly. For gluten-free, swap pasta with gluten-free variety. For dairy-free, swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken fajita pasta, one pot pasta, creamy pasta, Tex-Mex dinner, easy weeknight dinner, chicken pasta recipe