Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
613 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe
Description
This recipe starts by boiling pasta with salt and fajita seasoning to infuse flavor into the noodles. Chicken breast pieces are coated with fajita seasoning, olive oil, and salt then cooked over high heat to sear in juices. A sauce forms from sautéed bell peppers and onions seasoned with salt, sugar, black pepper, oregano, and garlic, combined with chicken broth, tomatoes, salsa, and additional fajita seasoning.
The cooked chicken and pasta are mixed into this sauce creating a balanced dish with spicy, smoky, and tangy notes. The optional cayenne pepper provides adjustable heat. The method layers flavors through seasoning pasta water, seasoning chicken directly, and building a spiced sauce with vegetables and aromatics.
This pasta works well served with toppings such as sour cream, grated cheese, guacamole, charred corn, crushed tortilla chips, pickled jalapeños, coriander, and green onions, allowing each diner to personalize their dish. The recipe notes suggest cooking times are based on chicken breasts; thighs may require longer cooking.
The fajita seasoning can be homemade or store-bought; be mindful of salt and sugar content which vary by brand. This dish offers a flavorful twist on traditional fajitas in a comforting pasta form.
Ingredients
For the pasta
- 12 oz pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
For the Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast see note 1, boneless and skinless
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning - see note 2
- ½ teaspoon salt - see note 3
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion sliced
- 2 bell pepper thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt - see note 3
- ½ teaspoon sugar - see note 3
- ½ teaspoon black pepper - see note 3
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth low-sodium
- 1 can tomatoes crushed or diced
- ½ cup salsa
- 2 tablespoon fajita seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper See note 4, optional for heat
Instructions
For the pasta
- Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta, salt, and fajita seasoning. 12oz/340g pasta1 tablespoon salt1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
- Cook for 1 minute less than the packet suggests.
- Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Do not rinse.
For the chicken
- While the pasta water is coming to a boil, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.1lb/450g chicken
- Add the fajita seasoning, olive oil, and salt to the chicken mix well. 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning2 tablespoons olive oil½ teaspoon salt
- Place a large skillet over high heat. Once hot, cook the chicken over high heat for 2 minutes.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
For the sauce
- Add the olive oil to the same skillet the chicken was cooked in. 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Once hot, add the bell peppers and cook over very high heat for 1 minute. Add the onions and cook for a further 2 minutes.2 sliced bell pepper1 sliced onion
- Add the salt, pepper, sugar, oregano, and minced garlic and stir well. ½ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon pepper½ teaspoon sugar½ teasoon oregano 3 cloves minced garlic
- Immediately add in the chicken broth and allow it to come to a boil, scrape any bits from the bottom of the skillet. 1 cup chicken broth
- Add the canned tomatoes, salsa, fajita seasoning and cayenne pepper (if using). 1 can crushed tomatoes½ cup salsa2 tablespoons fajita seasoningcayenne pepper (if using)
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until the pasta is cooked to your liking. Add pasta cooking water if the sauce starts to dry out.
- Serve with toppings of your choice. (see note 5)
Notes
- This dish is suited for many toppings like sour cream, grated cheese, avocado, charred corn, crushed tortilla chips, pickled jalapeños, coriander, and green onions for added flavor and texture.
- Use chicken breast or thighs; adjust cooking time accordingly since thighs take longer to cook through.
- You can use homemade or store-bought fajita seasoning but adjust salt and sugar in the sauce if using prepared blends, as they often contain more.
- Cayenne pepper is optional and can be added to control the heat level to your preference.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 613 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 613kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 80g | 27% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 996mg | 42% |
| Potassium | 1119mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 2473IU | 49% |
| Vitamin C | 92mg | 102% |
| Calcium | 88mg | 9% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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