Description
Creamy, zesty spicy chicken fajita pasta brings Mexican-inspired comfort to your dinner table, combining bold southwestern flavors with classic pasta appeal. Sizzling chicken, peppers, and a rich sauce guarantee a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)
Liquids and Pasta:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine pasta (or your preferred pasta)
Instructions
- Infuse sliced chicken with zesty fajita seasoning and salt, allowing flavors to penetrate for 20-30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate up to 2 hours.
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook fettuccine until perfectly al dente. Drain pasta, keeping 1 cup of starchy cooking liquid for potential sauce adjustments.
- Sear marinated chicken in hot olive oil over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, ensuring golden brown exterior and thorough internal cooking. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, sauté bell peppers and onions for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften and develop slight caramelization.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into skillet, creating a rich base. Introduce shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until sauce becomes smooth and velvety. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Reunite cooked chicken and pasta with the creamy fajita sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coating. Brighten flavors with fresh lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with vibrant chopped cilantro and serve immediately while sauce remains warm and luxurious.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, ideally up to 2 hours in refrigerator for maximum taste impact.
- Use fresh lime juice for bright, zesty notes that cut through the richness of the creamy sauce, enhancing overall dish complexity.
- Choose high-quality sharp cheddar cheese to elevate the sauce’s depth and provide a more robust flavor profile.
- Keep reserved pasta water handy to adjust sauce consistency, preventing potential dryness and ensuring a silky, smooth texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (or up to 2 hours)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 645
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg