Description
This One Pot Ground Chicken Fajita Pasta is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining the spiced goodness of fajitas with creamy pasta. Ground lean chicken is cooked with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and warm spices, then simmered with tomato sauce, chicken stock, and pasta in one skillet for a creamy, comforting meal topped with cilantro, sour cream, and melted Mexican cheese blend.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground lean chicken
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Dairy
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Other
- 8 ounces dried pasta
- 1/4 cup minced cilantro
- 1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Add Ingredients: In a large 12 inch high-sided skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add the ground chicken, diced yellow onion, diced red and yellow bell peppers, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Cook Chicken and Vegetables: Cook the mixture until the ground chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink, and the vegetables have softened, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add Tomato Sauce, Stock, and Pasta: Pour in the tomato sauce, chicken stock, and dried pasta. Stir everything together to combine thoroughly.
- Simmer Pasta: Let the mixture simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is fully cooked. If the liquid reduces too much before the pasta is done, add a little more chicken stock to maintain a creamy consistency.
- Finish with Dairy and Herbs: Once the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened to a creamy texture, stir in the sour cream and minced cilantro evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Top the pasta mixture with shredded Mexican blend cheese. Let the heat from the pasta melt the cheese gently. Optionally, transfer to an oven-safe dish and place under a broiler to melt and slightly brown the cheese for a few minutes.
Notes
- Use a high-sided skillet or sauté pan to prevent splattering while simmering pasta.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or additional chili powder.
- You can substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef if desired.
- For a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream along with the sour cream.
- Broiling the cheese is optional but adds a nice golden crust for presentation and texture.
