One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

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Chicken Fajita Pasta is a hearty, easy to make, one pot meal that your family will absolutely love! This wholesome meal is packed with lean chicken breast and veggies for a flavor-packed dinner that’s also good for you.

389 CAL 63g CARBS 12g FAT 27g PROTEIN 6
3 Comments

What if I told you that you could have a creamy, delicious, restaurant style Chicken Fajita Pasta dish on the table tonight for dinner in just twenty minutes? And that it only takes one pot to cook everything? Today’s recipe provides both!

The first time I ever tried Chicken Fajita Pasta was at a friend’s house and I fell in love immediately. Between the creamy and spicy tomato sauce, tender peppers and onions, and pasta – it was a dish that I couldn’t wait to recreate at home.

However, when I finally reached out for the recipe, it was way too complex for a quick weeknight meal. So, I knew I had to come up with a simplified version that was easy to make but still tasted amazing.

Ingredients for Chicken Fajita Pasta including dry pasta, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

My trick to make this recipe fast and easy is using frozen precooked chicken breast. In my store, it's in the freezer section and I use it for everything. With 19 grams of protein per serving, this is a product I always have at home for quick meals, to throw in salads, or to make sandwiches, quesadillas, tacos, and burrito bowls. It is super versatile and easy to use. 

It is also one of my favorite shortcuts. Not having to trim, chop, and cook the chicken saves me anywhere from 15-20 minutes per recipe. It’s a life-saver on busy nights. Plus, you never have to worry about your chicken going bad or waiting hours for your chicken to defrost. It’s ready whenever you are.

This recipe can also work with rotisserie chicken, chicken tinga, or leftover shredded chicken for tacos or slow cooker chicken fajitas.

My other favorite shortcut – the salad bar! If you are a slow chopper or just want to save time, head directly to the salad bar. You can grab pre-cut veggies and shave another 10-15 minutes from your prep time.

Chicken Fajita Pasta in a pan with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and mushrooms with cilantro on the side.

Topping Ideas

  • Cheese: You will probably want to add some cheese to this dish. Shredded cheddar, pepper jack, or even queso fresco are all yummy options!
  • Avocado: Adding some chopped avocado right on top of this pasta is pretty dreamy. It balances out the spice in all the right ways.
  • Sour Cream/Greek Yogurt: If you can’t live without sour cream on your fajitas, you will want to top the pasta with some as well. You can also use Greek yogurt for a “better for you” option.
  • Green Onions and Cilantro: To add some freshness, consider topping the pasta with some chopped green onions and fresh cilantro.
  • Fresh Jalapeños: If you love spice, add some diced fresh jalapeños right on top. They add crunch and tons of spicy flavor.

Pan of fajita chicken pasta with a bag of Tyson chicken strips, cilantro, and two forks.

Fajita Pasta Recipe Ideas

  • Add fiber: Consider adding a can of rinsed and drained black or pinto beans. It makes the dish more filling and adds extra fiber and nutrients.
  • Add extra veggies: If you want to pack in even more nutrition, add some extra veggies. Try spinach, zucchini, summer squash, or cauliflower.
  • Spice level: It’s easy to adjust the spice level in this pasta depending on what your family likes. You can use more or less chili powder to start. You can also use fire-roasted diced tomatoes in place of the green chili tomatoes to cut back on the heat. If you like things extra spicy, swap in a couple of jalapeños or poblano peppers for the green pepper.
  • Make it cheesy: It is hard not to think about making a cheesy version of this dish. One way to do that is to add about ½ cup of reduced-fat cream cheese to the pasta before serving. This really ups the creaminess of the sauce. You can also add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top before serving. So good.
  • Extra whole grains: This dish works with regular, high fiber, or whole grain pasta. Opt for whole wheat pasta for additional whole grains. Any pasta shape will work.
The Recipe
Chicken Fajita Pasta in a skillet with mushrooms, peppers, onions, and tomatoes.

One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

389 CAL 63g CARBS 12g FAT 27g PROTEIN 6
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 25 Min
TOTAL TIME: 30 Min
3 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 cup onion, sliced
  • 1 green pepper, sliced
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup mushrooms
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 3 tbsp. taco seasoning (store bought or homemade)
  • 10 oz. canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 8 ounces high fiber pasta
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup nonfat evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

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Instructions

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1

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

2

Add the onion, peppers, and mushrooms. Cook for 5-7 minutes until beginning to soften.

3

Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4

Add the chicken and taco seasoning. Stir for one minute.

5

Add the remaining ingredients.

6

Bring to a boil. Immediately turn down to a simmer and cover.

7

Cook for 10-15 minutes or until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed. If needed, cook an additional 2-3 minutes. The cooking time can vary based on the type and brand of pasta you use. Check your pasta after 10 minutes to avoid overcooking. You can always drain a bit of extra liquid if needed to make sure the pasta doesn't get too mushy.

8

Top with green onions and cilantro.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 389
Calories from Fat 33
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g
6%
Saturated Fat 2g
2%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 625mg
0%
Total Carbohydrate 63g
3%
Dietary Fiber 6g
8%
Sugars 4g
Protein 27g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
3 Comments
On One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
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James Gordon
May 6, 2019 - 15:20
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4
Great dish, but the veggies and pasta came out a bit too soft. Next time I'd reduce the cooking to to 10 mins from 15mins.
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May 6, 2019 - 16:01
Thanks for the feedback! With different types of pasta, the cooking time can vary slightly. Going to update the recipe to include that note :) Thanks!!
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Becky Harden
March 11, 2019 - 04:52
Add a Rating:
5
This was SO good. My husband and I made this last night (and got two lunches out of the deal, as well) and we loved it. It was easy, and will definitely become part of the meal rotation in our house.
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