Fajita Chicken Pasta Skillet (Printable)

Savory fajita-spiced chicken, crisp bell peppers and penne tossed in a rich, melted cheese sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 (optional)

22 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
23 - Lime wedges
24 - Sliced jalapeños

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine chicken strips with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and lime juice in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned on all sides and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.
04 - Add a splash of olive oil to the same skillet if needed. Sauté bell peppers and onion for 4–5 minutes until softened and slightly charred. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet with vegetables. Add cooked pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring constantly until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and coats the pasta evenly.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and sliced jalapeños if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy cheesy sauce balances perfectly with that classic fajita kick
  • Everything happens in one skillet so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • This is the kind of dinner that makes people ask for seconds immediately
02 -
  • Dont skip marinating the chicken—even 10 minutes makes a huge difference in flavor
  • The pasta continues cooking in the sauce so do not overcook it in the boiling water
  • Low heat when melting the cheese prevents it from separating and getting grainy
03 -
  • Slice all your vegetables before you start cooking since everything moves fast once the skillet is hot
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for the smoothest sauce texture
Return