A Flavor-Packed One-Pan Meal: Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta
Why not combine your love of pasta with chicken fajitas into a single spicy, creamy, and delicious dish? Tender chicken, sautéed bell peppers, fajita seasoning, and a creamy, cheesy sauce are all combined with pasta in this Chicken Fajita Pasta to create a filling, substantial dinner that is bursting with robust Tex-Mex flavours.
The finest aspect? In less than 30 minutes, this one-pan meal means less mess, more flavour, and a speedy dinner!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced) | 2 |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Smoked paprika | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground cumin | 1 teaspoon |
| Chili powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Onion powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Garlic powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Black pepper | ¼ teaspoon |
| Cayenne pepper (optional) | ¼ teaspoon |
| Butter | 1 tablespoon |
| Small onion (sliced) | 1 |
| Red bell pepper (sliced) | 1 |
| Green bell pepper (sliced) | 1 |
| Garlic (minced) | 3 cloves |
| Pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine) | 8 oz |
| Chicken broth | 1 cup |
| Heavy cream | ½ cup |
| Cream cheese (cubed) | 4 oz |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 1 cup |
| Red pepper flakes (optional) | ½ teaspoon |
| Lime juice | 1 lime |
| Fresh cilantro (for garnish) | As needed |
| Jalapeños (for garnish, optional) | As needed |
Instructions
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside. |
| 2 | Toss chicken with smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. |
| 3 | Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked, then remove from the pan. |
| 4 | Melt butter in the same skillet, sauté onions and bell peppers for 4-5 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. |
| 5 | Pour in chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan. Add heavy cream and cream cheese, stirring until smooth. |
| 6 | Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, red pepper flakes, and lime juice. Mix until fully combined. |
| 7 | Add cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet, tossing everything in the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. |
| 8 | Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños if desired, then serve immediately. |
Storage & Reheating Tips
| Storage Method | Duration |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator (Airtight Container) | Up to 3 days |
| Freezer (Without Pasta) | Up to 2 months |
| Reheating (Stovetop, Medium Heat) | 5 minutes with a splash of broth |
| Reheating (Microwave – 30-second intervals) | 1-2 minutes |
✨ Enjoy this creamy, cheesy, and flavorful Chicken Fajita Pasta! 🌮🍝🔥
The Reasons This Chicken Fajita Pasta Will Win Your Heart
✔ One-Pan Convenience – Less cleanup, fewer dishes!
✔ Bold Fajita Flavours – A bite that combines flavours of smoke, spice, and creaminess.
✔ Creamy & Cheesy – A creamy sauce consisting of heavy cream, cheddar, and cream cheese.
✔ Easy & Quick – It’s ready in 30 minutes, which makes it ideal for hectic weeknights.
✔ Adaptable – Change the protein, add less or more spice, or lighten it up.
Detailed Directions
First Step: Prepare the Pasta
1️⃣ Heat a large pot of water with salt until it boils.
- Prepare the pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente.
3️⃣ Pour off and reserve.
Cook the Chicken in Step Two
Chicken strips should be combined with smoked paprika, cumin, chilli powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using) in a bowl.
5️⃣ In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
6️⃣ Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until it is cooked through and golden brown.
7️⃣ Take out of the pan and place aside.
Step 3: Sauté the vegetables
8️⃣ Melt butter in the same skillet and add sliced bell peppers and onions.
9️⃣ Sauté until softened, 4-5 minutes.
🔟 Cook for 30 seconds after adding minced garlic.
Prepare the Creamy Fajita Sauce in Step Four.
1️⃣1️⃣ Pour in chicken broth, scraping off any browned bits from the pan.
1️⃣2️⃣ Add cream cheese and heavy cream and whisk until smooth and melted.
1️⃣3️⃣ Add lime juice, red pepper flakes, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until incorporated.
1️⃣4️⃣ Step 5: Combine Everything Toss to cover everything in the creamy fajita sauce after adding the cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet.
1️⃣5️⃣ Simmer until thoroughly heated, 2–3 minutes.
1️⃣6️⃣ Step 6: Serve & Garnish Take off the heat and, if you’d like, top with extra cheese, sliced jalapeños, or fresh cilantro.
1️⃣7️⃣ Serve right away and savour!
Hint: The sauce gets thicker while it sits. When warming, add a little milk or broth to restore the creamy texture.
Differences & Replacements
Change the Protein: Use chicken instead of shrimp, steak, or tofu.
Lighten It Up Use milk instead of heavy cream and Greek yoghurt instead of cream cheese.
Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to go low-carb.
Additional Vegetables Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms.
✔ Dairy-Free Version – Make use of dairy-free cheese and coconut milk.
FAQs
1. Can I use fajita seasoning from the store?
Yes! Use 1 tablespoon of premade fajita seasoning in place of the individual spices if you’re pressed for time.
2. Is it possible to prepare this dish in advance?
Indeed! You can prepare the vegetables and cook the chicken in advance. Before adding them to the pasta and sauce, keep them apart in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
3. Is it possible to add more spice?
Definitely! To increase the intensity, add extra cayenne, jalapeños, spicy sauce, or red pepper flakes.
Which pasta is ideal for this recipe?
. Because it retains the sauce effectively, short pasta such as penne, rotini, or rigatoni works well.
5. Can leftovers be frozen?
Yes, but when reheating, it’s preferable to freeze the chicken and sauce separately and cook the pasta fresh. This keeps spaghetti from getting mushy.
Concluding Reflections
This Chicken Fajita Pasta combines Tex-Mex spice with creamy, cheesy pasta goodness to create the ultimate comfort food. This one-pan meal is quick, simple, and bursting with flavour.
Enjoy a restaurant-quality lunch at home with this recipe. 🔥 Try it and let me know how you liked it! Serve it with your favourite toppings. 🌮🍝✨
