Chicken Fajita Pasta

closeup shot of pasta in white bowl garnished with coriander

5 from 2 votes

This Chicken Fajita Pasta is nice & spicy, ultra cheesy and bursting with flavour. Better still - it's all made in one pot!

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian, Mexican

Servings:

Author: Chris Collins

Cost: £3 / $4

Equipment

Large Pot / Dutch Oven & Wooden Spoon
Zip Lock Bag or Bowl & Cling Film (to marinate chicken)
Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
Jug (for stock)
Cheese Grater
Serving Spoon

Ingredients

Fajita Chicken

2x 9oz/250g Chicken Breasts
1 tbsp Fajita Seasoning
1 tbsp Lime Juice
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Fajita Pasta

10.5oz / 300g Short Cut Pasta of Choice (here I use Farfalle)
3 cups / 750ml Chicken Stock (not piping hot!)
1 cup / 250ml Double/Heavy Cream, at room temp
1 cup / 100g Cheese (see notes)
3 small Peppers, diced (preferably different colours)
1 medium Red Onion, finely diced
1.5 tbsp Fajita Seasoning
1 heaped tbsp Tomato Puree (Tomato Paste in US)
Olive Oil, as needed
Salt & Black Pepper, to taste

To Serve

Fresh Coriander/Cilantro (can sub parsley if you're not a fan)
Lime Juice

Instructions

Begin by butterflying your chicken breasts right through the centre to make 4 even sized breasts. Combine in a zip lock bag with 1 tbsp fajita seasoning, lime juice & olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix the bag with your hands to thoroughly coat. Marinate for as long as you have time for (up to overnight). If you're pushed for time just rest at room temp as you prep the other ingredients. You can also do this in a bowl and cover with cling film.
Bring chicken to room temp if marinated in the fridge. Fry over medium-high heat in a large pot until nicely charred on each side and white through the centre. Rest on a chopping board until needed, then slice into thin strips just before adding to pasta.
Add a drizzle more oil to the pot and add your peppers and onions. Fry until soft and just starting the brown, then sprinkle in 1 tbsp fajita seasoning. Fry for a couple of minutes, then stir in 1 heaped tbsp tomato puree and fry for a minute longer. Pour in chicken stock and cream. Important the stock isn't piping hot and the cream is at room temp or it risks curdling. Add in pasta.
Give everything a good stir, scraping off any flavour stuck to the pot as necessary. Lower heat to low-medium and simmer, stirring fairly frequently, until the pasta is cooked through. If the sauce completely thickens before the pasta is cooked just add a drizzle more stock. The pasta should be al dente though.
Turn heat off and stir in cheese and chicken strips. Add the remaining half tbsp of seasoning if you find it's not spicy/salty/seasoned enough (all brands are different). Serve individual portions with a good sprinkling of fresh coriander/cilantro (can sub parsley if you're not a fan) and a gentle squeeze of lime juice.

Video

Notes

a) Cheese - Here I use a combination of cheddar and Mexican cheese blend. You can use either of those by themselves, Monterey Jack also works nicely.

b) Fajita Seasoning - If you're using pre made fajita seasoning just be aware different brands have different spice levels. If at all weary just start with 1/2 - 1 tbsp in the pasta, then adjust accordingly after. They also have different salt levels, so just adjust once the pasta has cooked. Of course I recommend my homemade fajita seasoning! :)

c) Serving - This pasta is quite rich and creamy, so I highly recommend the lime juice at the end. It not only livens up the dish but also helps cut through the richness. A good sprinkling of coriander/cilantro also works nicely!

d) Reheating - You can allow to completely cool and store in the fridge for 2-3days (longer at your discretion). I recommend reheating on the stove with a splash of stock to loosen up the sauce again.

e) Calories - based on 1 tbsp olive oil for frying, 1 cup cheddar and no toppings. Shared between 4.

Nutrition