creamy chicken fajita pasta

When you want all the zest and spices of fajitas combined with creamy, cheesy pasta you need this creamy chicken fajita pasta in your life. Combine these two great flavors in this recipe: sauteed chicken breast strips, covered with a smooth and creamy sauce, flavored by fajita seasoning – both smoky and spicy. Pasta is the glue that holds every thing together in a one skillet meal that’s great for any weeknight because it provides inherent comfort and flavor while rocking some curious pizzazz.

It has the perfect combination of spiciness from the fajita spices and creamy smoothness from the cream sauce that makes it a crowd pleaser every time. And the best part is that this one is pretty simple to make! Okay, so let us jump straight away to the method & important ingredients.

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 1-pound (450 grams) center-cut boneless and skinless chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)

Pasta:

• 12 oz (340g) pasta — penne, fettuccine or rigatoni all great

Creamy Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 Tbsp AP flour
• 1 cup of broth (chicken broth or vegetable for a lighter)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar (or some mix of cheddar & Monterey jack)
• 1 tsp lime juice (optional for a kick)

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper (red or green), cut into matchsticks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
• Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Optional Toppings:

• Sliced jalapeños
• Queso fresco o cotija decoronate
• Extra lime wedges for serving

Method

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

Cooking the Chicken — The initial step to making this creamy chicken fajita pasta is seasoning and cooking the chicken. Cut the chicken breast into strips, it will help to cook faster and absorbs more fajita spices evenly.

Combine the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Coat chicken pieces in seasoning mixture with each strip coated as best as possible. This fajita spice mix adds a smoky flavour and hint of heat the chicken needs to be fajitas.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When the oil is hot, work in batches and add the seasoned chicken strips to the pan in a single layer. What you want to do is let them bake for 5–7 minutes, flipping gently, until your chicken turns nice and brown and cooked. The chicken is done once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). When the chicken is done, take it out of the skillet and let it rest.

Step 2: Sautéing the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add 1 more tbsp of olive oil (do not clean). Reduce the heat a bit to medium. To this, add the sliced onions and bell peppers. Tossing the veggies around, sauté for 4–5 mins or until softened and starting to caramelize. This process helps to highlight their sweetness and round out the flavor profile of your pasta.

The standard sauté of onions and bell peppers will give them a little char and smokiness, adding to the fajita-inspired flavor. When vegetables have cooked, remove them from the pan and set aside with chicken.

Step 3: Cooking the Pasta

In the meantime, place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Pop in your choice of pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). When the pasta is done, strain it but reserve about a cup of pasta water. The starchy sauce will also thicken and bond the creamy pasta later.

Step 4: Making the Creamy Fajita Sauce

Most importantly, it is time to make the super rich sauce that will glue everything together. In the same skillet that you used to cook the chicken and vegetables add 1 tablespoon butter and melt. When melted, whisk your flour in (1-2 minutes) to form a roux. This is a crucial step in order to thicken your sauce.

Gradually add the chicken stock while continuously whisking to avoid lumps. After that, you add broth, then cream and milk. Combine, then stir the sauce for also bring to a gentle simmer. Cook the sauce for 3 to 4 minutes or until desired thickness. If the sauce is too thick, loosen with a little reserved pasta water.

When the sauce is creamy and smooth, add the shredded cheddar cheese. Let it melt all the way down into a creamy, cheesy sauce. I added a squeeze of lime juice for a little brightness (which gives this dish balance against the richness of the sauce) if you like.

Step 5: Combining Everything Together

And now it s time to put everything together! Once the creamy sauce is made, add it to the cooked pasta along with the shredded chicken and sautéed onions and bell peppers. Mix it all up, making sure to coat each pasta in that creamy goodness. If too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up and help it combine.

Add everything in a few, for your taste profiles to mingle. Give the pasta a taste and if it needs additional salt, pepper, or fajita seasoning adjust to your liking.

Step 6: Serving the Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta

When the pasta is fully covered and everything has had a chance to marry together, get ready to eat. Serve the pasta on individual plates or pour it into a large serving bowl. Top with fresh cilantro for color, and a hit of green freshness. Add a few sliced jalapeños if desired, or top with some fresh queso fresco or cotija cheese for extra richness.

Serve with lime wedges to squeeze on top for an extra boost of tanginess! A squeeze of fresh lime juice, just before serving, takes a dish like this from good to great and offsets all that creamy richness beautifully.

Why This Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Works

1. Flavor Balance: Smoky, slightly spicy fajita seasoning blends with the richness of the creamy sauce for an addicting flavor duo. It wraps the creamy sauced pasta in a blanket of rich flavors while the chicken soaks up all of those in your face spices to bring ample flavor home after the fact.
2. Visual Dimension: The colors of the sautéed veggies and tender chicken deliver perfect bite appeal, while the cream sauce and pasta make a luscious melodic background. A silky sauce brings it all together, and makes every bite feel like extra credit.
3. Adaptable: This recipe is very forgiving. This chicken taco meat recipe can be easily substituted for shrimp or beef, and even made vegetarian by adding beans or other veggies! This recipe is adaptable and can fit various sorts of tastes since the fajita flavor profile pairs beautifully with great deals of healthy proteins (believe chicken, shrimp, fish) along with veggies.
4. So Continue if You Do Not Want to Cook This Dish ONLY: As rich and creamy as it is, this dish is actually super easy to make. It can be done in few steps & with ingredients that you will always find at home came out exactly restaurant quality. Ideal for hectic weeknights but sophisticated enough to serve at special events.

Tips and Variations

1. Add Heat: If you enjoy a little heat, stir some chopped fresh jalapeños to the sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to either the sauce or chicken seasoning. We like fajita spices since they are already mildly spicy, but feel free to add more if you’d prefer!
2. Include More Vegetables: To boost nutrition and flavors, you can also add other vegetables (zucchini, mushrooms or even corn). These could be cooked with the sautéed onions and bell peppers for an extra flavor boost.
3. Cheese: of course cheddar is the classic for this but you can also use pepper jack if you want a little heat or Monterey Jack if you want something milder and creamier. Combining different types of cheese can help craft a more complex and robust sauce.
4. Make It Lighter: To lighten this dish, swap the heavy cream for half-and-half, or use a combination of Greek yogurt and chicken broth. You could also use whole wheat or gluten free pasta to make it a bit healthier.

Nutritional Benefits

Creamy chicken fajita pasta, although a rich and indulgent dish, does hold some nutritional value particularly if using lean chicken and a good serving of vegetables. Chicken supplies a source of protein, which is important for repair — not just of muscle but for health in general. And the peppers and onions add some vitamins, particularly vitamin C to support your immune system. The addition of lime juice, is this little extra boost of vitamin C(which never hurts) and freshness that makes up for the richness of a dish.

Conclusion

Ultimately, these Easy Smashed Brussels Sprouts are a super easy but also SUPER TASTY way to bring out the best in this oft-neglected vegetable. Their crispy, but not too crispy, but ever so slightly smashed form is achieved by first roasting them to perfection and then cooking just a bit longer. Using garlic and adding optional toppings like parmesan or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar complete the dish with savory, umami-rich notes, perfect for any meal and sure to please a crowd.

So whether you need a side to serve alongside that roast, a simple side for a veg meal or just something (simple) to nibble on with your favourite dip – look no further. There’s something quick and easy about it, able to be made with whatever spices or toppings you desire.

These smashed Brussels sprouts with its crispy edges and deeply addictive taste will become a staple in your kitchen. So next time you want to try something new with an old veg, we encourage you to make this super simple recipe and be blown away at how such basic ingredients can achieve something so delicious. Enjoy!