Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta

A fusion of Mexican spices and Italian comfort — tender seasoned chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and penne pasta tossed in a rich, smoky cream sauce.

Ingredients

• 500 g chicken breast cubes
• 350 g penne or rotini pasta
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp Italian herbs
• 1 tbsp oil

Instructions

1. 1Marinate and pan-fry the chicken

   

   Season the chicken breast cubes with salt, black pepper, chili flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and sweet paprika, then marinate for 15 to 20 minutes. Place the marinated chicken into a hot skillet with oil and pan-fry until fully cooked and golden brown on all sides, then remove and set aside.

   Tip: Ensure the pan is adequately hot before adding the chicken to achieve a nice golden crust while keeping the inside tender.
2. 2Deglaze the pan with liquid seasoning

   

   After removing the cooked chicken, pour liquid seasoning into the hot pan to capture all the flavorful browned bits left behind from cooking the meat, scraping gently with a wooden spoon.

   Tip: Scrape the bottom of the pan gently with a wooden spoon while adding the liquid to incorporate all the savory flavors into the sauce base.
3. 3Sauté the green and yellow bell peppers

   

   Add sliced green and yellow bell peppers into the hot pan to begin stir-frying, ensuring they are cut into uniform strips for even cooking.

   Tip: Slice the bell peppers into uniform strips so they cook evenly and maintain a pleasant crisp-tender texture.
4. 4Add red peppers and onions

   

   Pour sliced red bell peppers and red onions into the pan alongside the other peppers, stir-frying the mixture over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables reach a tender-crisp texture, then remove and set aside.

   Tip: Stir frequently over medium-high heat to ensure the vegetables soften evenly without losing their vibrant color.
5. 5Melt butter for the sauce

   

   Add pieces of butter into the hot pan over medium heat and allow them to melt completely, creating a rich foundation for the creamy pasta sauce.

   Tip: Keep the heat at medium to prevent the butter from burning before you add the next aromatics.
6. 6Sauté garlic and tomato paste

   

   Add minced garlic and tomato paste directly into the melted butter, stirring continuously for about a minute to release their aromas and deepen the savory flavor base.

   Tip: Cook the tomato paste for a minute to remove its raw acidic edge and deepen its savory flavor.
7. 7Pour in chicken broth and seasonings

   

   Pour chicken broth into the pan with the sautéed tomato paste and garlic, and stir well while scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom.

   Tip: Scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan as you stir.
8. 8Simmer the creamy sauce

   

   Pour in the heavy cream and season with salt, garlic powder, Italian herbs, black pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika, allowing the creamy sauce mixture to bubble and simmer gently over medium-low heat.

   Tip: Keep the heat at medium-low to prevent the heavy cream from separating.
9. 9Combine vegetables and pasta with sauce

   

   Add the previously sautéed bell peppers and onions directly into the simmering creamy sauce alongside the cooked pasta, folding everything together gently.

   Tip: Fold the vegetables in gently so they stay tender-crisp.
10. 10Add cooked penne pasta

    

    Tip the cooked al dente penne pasta into the pan containing the creamy sauce and vegetables, mixing thoroughly so every piece is coated.

    Tip: Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente so it holds its texture when tossed in the sauce.
11. 11Return cooked chicken to the pan

    

    Add the cooked chicken pieces back into the pan with the pasta, vegetables, and creamy sauce, stirring everything together until well combined and heated through.

    Tip: Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly distributed and reheated through.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions