Southwest Chicken Pasta

A serving of this penne pasta recipe on a white plate.

One Pot Southwest Chicken Pasta - This ultra comforting one-pot chicken pasta recipe is loaded with Tex-Mex flavor, the most amazing creamy sauce, and plenty of cheese. It couldn't be simpler, and your whole family will love it for any night of the week.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword southwest chicken pasta

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 478kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

1 box (16 oz) penne pasta
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large chicken breasts)
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
1 small onion finely diced
3 cloves garlic
1 can (15 oz) black beans drained & rinsed
1 can (15 oz) corn drained
1 can (10 oz) Rotel original diced tomatoes w/ green chilies
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
chopped fresh cilantro (optional garnish)

Instructions

Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions. When done, drain it in a colander but do not rinse the pasta.
^{* Remember to add some salt into the boiling water when you add the pasta. This helps flavor the pasta. I use about 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt.}
1 box (16 oz) penne pasta
Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized 1-inch pieces. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over top and use your clean hands to press and pat the seasoning all over each piece.
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a large skillet pan, over medium-high heat, along with the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until the chicken is completely cooked through (internal temperature of 165℉). Transfer the chicken to a plate.
^{* If there is lots of moisture from cooking the chicken, I like to drain that out of the pan before moving on to the next step.}
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil into the same skillet pan and cook the onions until they are softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
1 small onion, 3 cloves garlic
Stir in the black beans, corn, Rotel, heavy cream, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture starts to thicken slightly.
1 can (15 oz) black beans, 1 can (15 oz) corn, 1 can (10 oz) Rotel original diced tomatoes w/ green chilies, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Add the chicken pieces back into the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Stir to combine and let it heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
chopped fresh cilantro

Notes

Tip : I do not recommend substituting a lower fat milk for the heavy cream. The heavy cream is what makes the sauce thick. Any other milk will create a thin sauce that won't coat the pasta well.

Want To Use Already Cooked/Leftover Chicken? : If you want to use already cooked chicken, like shredded chicken or a rotisserie chicken, then there are a few simple changes needed. Skip the step of the olive oil and cooking the chicken chunks. Instead, add the oil for the onion and cook the onion until softened, then add the already cooked shredded chicken in with the fresh garlic and cook for the additional minute as called for in the recipe.

Make It Spicy! -

- Chili Powder or Red Cayenne Pepper - Add one or both of these spicy seasoning in with the taco seasoning.

- Green Chilies - Add a can of diced green chilies (mild, medium, or hot) in with the rotel and black beans.

- Pepper Jack Cheese - Use shredded pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.

- Chopped Jalapeño - Use chopped fresh jalapeños as a garnish for the one pot pasta OR add a can of chopped jalapeño in with the corn and beans.
- Rotel - Use medium heat or spicy heat level of Rotel. Rotel is a specific brand of diced tomatoes in green chilies.

Rotel Tip : Even the mild version of Rotel can be have a slight kick to it. If you want zero spice then try using a can of petite diced tomatoes or use a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies instead of the Rotel.

Nutrition