Fajita Chicken Pasta Skillet (Print version)

Tender fajita-spiced chicken with colorful peppers and creamy cheesy pasta in one skillet. Tex-Mex comfort food ready in 40 minutes.

# 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 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 is creamy and coats the pasta.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, lime wedges, and jalapeños if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor infusion
  • The creamy sauce balances perfectly with the fajita spices creating that restaurant quality taste at home
  • Ready in under 40 minutes making it perfect for busy weeknights when comfort food is nonnegotiable
02 -
  • Dont skip marinating the chicken even if youre rushing, it makes a massive difference in flavor penetration
  • The sauce will seem thin at first but keep stirring and it will thicken beautifully as the cheese melts
  • Pasta continues absorbing liquid, so serve immediately rather than letting it sit too long
03 -
  • Prep all ingredients before starting since the cooking goes fast once that skillet heats up
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly than cold from the fridge
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