alfredo chicken fajita pasta (Printer View)

Tender chicken and peppers tossed in creamy Alfredo sauce with pasta. Italian and Tex-Mex flavors meld deliciously.

# Components:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
10 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
11 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
12 - 1 medium red onion, sliced into strips
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta

14 - 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta

→ Alfredo Sauce

15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 - 1 cup heavy cream
17 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
18 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
19 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

20 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
21 - 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine sliced chicken breast with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat and set aside for 10 minutes.
02 - In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup cooking water.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add marinated chicken and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add a splash of olive oil if needed. Add bell peppers and red onion; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
05 - Reduce skillet to medium heat. Add butter; once melted, pour in heavy cream. Stir in softened cream cheese until smooth.
06 - Gradually add Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until sauce becomes creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
07 - Return cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat with sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
08 - Top with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately, accompanied by lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses pantry staples you likely have on hand
  • Ready in under an hour so it fits busy schedules
  • Family&friendly flavors with a creamy and cheesy finish
  • Easily adaptable for different proteins or pasta shapes
02 -
  • High in protein thanks to chicken and cheese
  • Freezes well for meal planning and leftovers
  • Packed with color so it looks as good as it tastes
03 -
  • Always melt the butter and cream cheese together for a lump&free sauce
  • Do not rush browning the chicken and vegetables as this builds the base flavor
  • Reserve extra pasta water until you know how thick you want your final sauce

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