Make this quick weeknight pasta dinner that combines seasoned chicken, bell peppers, and onions in a creamy, Tex-Mex inspired sauce.
Author:amyrosewood
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:30 min
Total Time:40 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Skillet Cooking
Cuisine:Tex-Mex Fusion
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
2 bell peppers (one red, one green), sliced
1 packet (about 1 ounce) fajita seasoning mix
12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt, for serving
1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
Season the chicken pieces evenly with half of the fajita seasoning mix.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Add the sliced onion and bell peppers to the same skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining fajita seasoning mix and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the dry pasta to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Stir in the heavy cream and return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Heat through for 2 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Serve immediately with fresh cilantro sprinkled on top, a dollop of sour cream, and a lime wedge for squeezing over the dish.
Notes
For a spicier dish, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the fajita seasoning.
If you prefer a thinner sauce, add an extra 1/4 cup of chicken broth or milk during the final step.
You can substitute pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for faster preparation.