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Creamy Chicken Taco Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.3 from 88 reviews

This Creamy Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious meal featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with taco spices, combined with penne pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce made with heavy cream, Mexican cheese blend, and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies. Ready in just 20 minutes, this comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces penne pasta (or another favorite pasta variety)

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)
  • 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 1 (10-15 ounce) can diced tomatoes & green chilies

Garnish

  • Cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides evenly with taco seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet, place on a plate, and cover with foil to keep warm.
  3. Make the creamy sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking constantly to incorporate the flavorful browned bits left from cooking the chicken. Continue whisking for 2 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the shredded Mexican cheese blend and the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Stir the cooked penne into the sauce, ensuring the pasta is fully coated. Reduce heat to low to keep warm.
  5. Slice and serve: Remove the foil from the chicken, and slice it into strips or chop into bite-sized pieces. Arrange the chicken on top of the creamy pasta. Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half & half or light cream.
  • You can use any pasta shape you prefer, but penne works best to hold the sauce.
  • Adjust the amount of diced tomatoes with green chilies depending on your spice preference.
  • Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.

Keywords: Creamy Chicken Pasta, Mexican Chicken Pasta, Quick Chicken Dinner, Taco Seasoned Chicken, Easy Pasta Recipes

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/creamy-chicken-taco-pasta-recipe/