Fajita Chicken Pasta Skillet (Printable)

Tender fajita-spiced chicken and colorful peppers tossed with pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce. A vibrant Tex-Mex inspired skillet dinner.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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

# How-to:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet so cleanup is minimal and the flavors build together
  • The creamy sauce balances perfectly with the fajita spices and fresh peppers
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
  • Do not skip marinating the chicken even for 10 minutes because that is where the fajita flavor really develops
  • The pasta continues cooking in the sauce so pull it from the boiling water while it is still slightly firm
  • Keep the heat low once you add the cream to prevent the sauce from separating
03 -
  • Cut your peppers and onions into similar sized strips so they cook evenly and look beautiful in the final dish
  • Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded bags for the smoothest sauce texture
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