Fajita Chicken Pasta Skillet (Printable Version)

Tender fajita-spiced chicken, colorful peppers, and creamy cheese sauce tossed with pasta in one delicious skillet.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into thin strips
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - Juice of 1/2 lime

→ Vegetables

12 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
13 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
14 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
15 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta & Sauce

17 - 10 oz penne or rotini pasta
18 - 1 2/3 cups chicken broth
19 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
20 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
21 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Garnishes

22 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
23 - Lime wedges
24 - Sliced jalapeños

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, combine chicken strips with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Toss to coat evenly and marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
04 - In the same skillet, add a splash of olive oil if needed. Sauté bell peppers and onion for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Add cooked pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
06 - Reduce heat to low and add cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Stir until cheeses melt and the sauce becomes creamy and coats the pasta.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt, pepper, or spices.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, lime wedges, and jalapeños if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its that perfect mashup of comfort food and party flavors that makes everyone crowd around the stove
  • The creamy sauce hugs every piece of pasta and clings to the spiced chicken like they were always meant to be together
02 -
  • Overcooked chicken in pasta dishes is the tragedy nobody talks about, so pull it from the heat as soon as it's done
  • The sauce will thicken as it stands off heat, so don't panic if it looks a little loose at first
03 -
  • Prep all your vegetables before you start cooking, because once that skillet is hot, things move fast
  • Room temperature cream incorporates smoother than cold from the fridge
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