Chicken Fajita Pasta – Creamy, Bold and Weeknight-Ready

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Author: Adam
Published:

🎉 Introduction

Chicken Fajita Pasta is the best of two worlds—smoky fajita flavor meets creamy pasta comfort. Juicy chicken strips, colorful bell peppers, and onions are tossed in a lightly spiced, creamy sauce that clings to every bite of pasta. It’s fast, satisfying, and perfect when you want something cozy with a little kick—no tortillas required.

Perfect for:

  • Busy weeknights
  • Family dinners
  • One-pan pasta lovers
  • Meal prep favorites

🧰 Equipment Needed

  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Large pot (for pasta)
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Tongs or spatula

🛒 Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
  • 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)

These ingredients create a dish that’s smoky, creamy, colorful, and deeply comforting.


👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 3:
Season the sliced chicken with fajita seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4:
Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5:
Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet.

Step 6:
Add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Cook for 4–5 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp.

Step 7:
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 8:
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.

Step 9:
Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream.

Step 10:
Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 11:
Sprinkle in the cheese and stir until melted and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 12:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Serve warm.


🍽️ Servings & Timing

  • Servings: 4
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: About 35 minutes

Perfect for quick, hearty dinners.


🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Reheating:

  • Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave
  • Add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce

🥄 Variations

  • Spicy: Add chili flakes or extra fajita seasoning
  • Extra creamy: Add more cream or cheese
  • Veggie boost: Add mushrooms or zucchini
  • Lighter: Use half cream, half milk
  • Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta

Each variation keeps the dish bold, creamy, and customizable.


10 FAQs

  1. Is this dish spicy?
    Mild to medium—easy to adjust.
  2. Can I use chicken thighs?
    Yes, they stay very juicy.
  3. Does the sauce thicken as it cools?
    Yes, slightly.
  4. Can kids eat this?
    Yes, flavors are family-friendly.
  5. What pasta works best?
    Penne or fettuccine hold the sauce well.
  6. Can I make it ahead?
    Yes, reheat gently.
  7. Do I need to marinate the chicken?
    No, seasoning is enough.
  8. Is this freezer-friendly?
    Best enjoyed fresh.
  9. Can I add cheese on top?
    Yes, extra melty cheese works great.
  10. What pairs well with it?
    Simple salad or steamed vegetables.

🏁 Conclusion

Chicken Fajita Pasta brings bold Tex-Mex flavor into a creamy, comforting pasta you’ll want on repeat. It’s colorful, satisfying, and easy enough for any night of the week—comfort food with personality.

Adam

Chicken Fajita Pasta – Creamy, Bold and Weeknight-Ready

Chicken Fajita Pasta is the best of two worlds—smoky fajita flavor meets creamy pasta comfort. Juicy chicken strips, colorful bell peppers, and onions are tossed in a lightly spiced, creamy sauce that clings to every bite of pasta. It’s fast, satisfying, and perfect when you want something cozy with a little kick—no tortillas required.Perfect for:Busy weeknightsFamily dinnersOne-pan pasta loversMeal prep favorites
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb chicken breasts boneless and skinless, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 oz pasta penne or fettuccine
  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped (optional)
  • These ingredients create a dish that’s smoky creamy, colorful, and deeply comforting.

Equipment

  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Large pot (for pasta)
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Tongs or spatula

Method
 

Step 1:
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2:
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 3:
  1. Season the sliced chicken with fajita seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4:
  1. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 5:
  1. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet.
Step 6:
  1. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Cook for 4–5 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp.
Step 7:
  1. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 8:
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
Step 9:
  1. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream.
Step 10:
  1. Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly.
Step 11:
  1. Sprinkle in the cheese and stir until melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 12:
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
  2. Serve warm.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Reheating:
Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave
Add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce
🥄 Variations
Spicy: Add chili flakes or extra fajita seasoning
Extra creamy: Add more cream or cheese
Veggie boost: Add mushrooms or zucchini
Lighter: Use half cream, half milk
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta
Each variation keeps the dish bold, creamy, and customizable.
❓ 10 FAQs
Is this dish spicy?
Mild to medium—easy to adjust.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, they stay very juicy.
Does the sauce thicken as it cools?
Yes, slightly.
Can kids eat this?
Yes, flavors are family-friendly.
What pasta works best?
Penne or fettuccine hold the sauce well.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, reheat gently.
Do I need to marinate the chicken?
No, seasoning is enough.
Is this freezer-friendly?
Best enjoyed fresh.
Can I add cheese on top?
Yes, extra melty cheese works great.
What pairs well with it?
Simple salad or steamed vegetables.
🏁 Conclusion
Chicken Fajita Pasta brings bold Tex-Mex flavor into a creamy, comforting pasta you’ll want on repeat. It’s colorful, satisfying, and easy enough for any night of the week—comfort food with personality.
COOK WITH ADEM

Hi there! I’m Adem, the chef and creator behind Cook with Adem. Cooking has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I’ve dedicated my life to exploring flavors, experimenting with new dishes, and sharing my love of food with others.

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