Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (2024)

Remember that Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta that we all love because it’s soeasy and delicious? Well, the other day when I was craving a creamy-pasta-comfort-food dinner, I decided to morphthat recipe with another recipe that we all love so much, Easy Oven Fajitas. When the two recipes come together, a real winner is born:Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (1)

Use Store Bought or Homemade Fajita Seasoning

This Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta is a fast fix that really doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. If you don’t have a well stocked spice cabinet yet, you can simply purchase a pre-mixed packet of fajita spices and use that in place of the individual spices listed below.

Make it EXTRA Cheesy!

If you want to take this recipe one step further and make it EXTRA indulgent, I suggest sprinkling pepper jack (or Monterrey jack) cheese on top.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

I was lucky enough to get boneless, skinless chicken breast on a super good sale again, but if you can’t get the same amazing price that I did,chicken thighs would be my next choice. They’re usually quite a bit less expensive and are great because they stay nice and tender when cooked.

What Size Skillet Should I Use?

I used my 10-inch Lodge cast iron skillet for this, but it was really full and difficult to stir without spillage. A 12-inch skillet would probably be a better fit.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (2)

Love creamy chicken pasta recipes? Check out my One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta!

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta

4.59 from 39 votes

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta is a fast and delicious weeknight meal with savory southwest flavors that the whole family will love.

Author: Beth – Budget Bytes

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (3)

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (4) Servings 4

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 20 minutes mins

Total 30 minutes mins

Save Recipe Print Recipe

Ingredients

FAJITA SPICE MIX

CHICKEN PASTA

  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.04)
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast (about 0.75 lb.) ($1.30)
  • 1 bell pepper ($0.88)
  • 1 yellow onion ($0.34)
  • 15 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes ($1.29)
  • 4 oz cream cheese ($1.00)
  • 8 oz pasta (any shape) ($0.83)
  • 2 green onions, sliced ($0.17)

Instructions

  • Combine the spices for the fajita spice mix in a bowl and set aside. Dice the onion and bell pepper, and cut the chicken breast into 1/2-inch cubes.

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Once boiling, add the pasta and continue to boil until tender (7-10 minutes, or according to the package directions). Drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside until ready to use.

  • While waiting for the pasta to cook, heat 1 Tbsp cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the cubed chicken and the fajita spice mix. Sauté the chicken and spices until the chicken is cooked through and slightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet to a clean bowl.

  • Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and continue to sauté over medium heat just until they begin to soften slightly on the edges and have a little brown color. Add the canned tomatoes (with juices) and the cream cheese. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the cream cheese melts in and forms a creamy sauce with the tomatoes.

  • Finally, add the cooked and drained pasta and cooked chicken back to the skillet. Stir until everything is evenly combined and coated in creamy sauce. Top with sliced green onions and serve.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*The chili powder used is a mild blend of red chiles and other spices.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 292.33kcalCarbohydrates: 14.21gProtein: 22.73gFat: 15.9gSodium: 709.7mgFiber: 2.9g

Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (5) Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!

Scroll down for the step by step photos!

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (6)

How to Make Chicken Fajita Pasta – Step by Step Photos

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (7)

Begin by preparing the fajita spice mix. In a small bowl, stir together 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/8 tsp cayenne, 1/2 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (8)

This is the “chili powder” I use. It’s a mild blend of spices with NO heat to it. The heat in the fajita spice mix comes from the cayenne, so if you want it more spicy add more cayenne, or if you want the pasta to be 100% mild, just leave the cayenne out. :) With the 1/8 tsp cayenne that I used the pasta just has a slight kick, but nothing too spicy.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (9)

Next, dice one yellow onion and one bell pepper.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (10)

And cut one boneless, skinless chicken breast into 1/2-inch cubes. This was a fairly large chicken breast, at about 3/4 lb. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if that’s what you have available.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (11)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Once boiling, add 8oz. pasta and cook according to the package directions. I wanted to include a photo of this package because every time I use these “flowers” someone asks what the name of the shape is. This brand is the only one that I’ve seen that makes these cute little pasta flowers.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (12)

Once the pasta is cooked through, drain it in a colander and set it aside until ready to use. But while the pasta is cooking you can start the rest of the dish…

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (13)

While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 Tbsp cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced chicken and the prepared fajita spice mix. Sauté the chicken and spices until the chicken is slightly browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it in a clean bowl.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (14)

Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, or just until the edges soften and begin to turn brown.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (15)

Addone 15oz. can of fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices) and 4oz. of cream cheese (cut into chunks) to the skillet.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (16)

Stir and cook over medium heat until the cream cheese melts in and creates a creamy sauce with the tomatoes.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (17)

Finally, adddrained pasta and cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir until everything is coated in the creamy sauce. Top with sliced green onions, then serve.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (18)

That’s one big skillet of goodness…. I mean Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (19)

Dig in!

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe - Budget Bytes (2024)

FAQs

Can I substitute taco seasoning for fajita seasoning? ›

Fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar, but they are not the same. Taco seasoning typically has more oregano and chili powder than fajita seasoning. With that being said, however, you can use fajita seasoning and taco seasoning interchangeably in recipes, it may just warrant a slightly different flavor.

Are chicken fajitas good for you? ›

Fajitas can be very healthy, if done right. On its own, the chicken, peppers, and onion mixture comes in macros friendly with high protein, low carb, and low-moderate fat (depending on if using white or dark meat). The final macros comes down to you and your choices of how you put it together on the plate.

What does chicken fajita mean? ›

noun. fa·​ji·​ta fə-ˈhē-tə fä- : a marinated strip usually of beef or chicken grilled or broiled and served usually with a flour tortilla and various savory fillings. usually used in plural.

What can I use if I don't have enough taco seasoning? ›

Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
  1. 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  2. ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
  3. ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
  4. Pinch of cayenne pepper.
  5. ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
  6. ½ teaspoon paprika.
  7. 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  8. 1 teaspoon salt.
Mar 16, 2021

What is fajita seasoning made of? ›

In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper to taste (I like ½ teaspoon), and salt to taste (I like 1 teaspoon). Store in an airtight container.

Are fajitas good for diabetics? ›

The safest and most delicious low-carb dish for diabetics is fajitas. Fajitas are traditionally grilled meats and vegetables served with cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream in flour or corn tortillas. Ask to replace the flour tortillas with lettuce leaves or bring your own low-carb tortillas from home.

Are chicken fajitas bad for cholesterol? ›

Fajitas can be a tasty and healthy Mexican dish. Make sure that you use grilled chicken or shrimp instead of beef to help lower the cholesterol content. Fajitas don't come with cheese, so the dish is fairly low in cholesterol.

Can I eat chicken fajitas with high cholesterol? ›

Fajitas are a good lower-cholesterol meal choice when eating at a Mexican restaurant, Collingwood says, because they are usually abundant in vegetables. Consider a side of black beans, too, since they are high in soluble fiber and can help lower cholesterol.

What do Mexicans eat with fajitas? ›

  • Black Beans & Rice. ...
  • Lime and Coriander RIce. ...
  • Mexican Corn. ...
  • Mexican Rice. ...
  • Guacamole. ...
  • Quick Queso Fundido With Cauliflower. ...
  • Frijoles. ...
  • Mexican Salad.

What kind of onions are best for fajitas? ›

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to choosing the right onion for your fajitas. You can go for the traditional white or yellow onions, offering a more savory option, or experiment with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to add a subtle sweetness to your dish.

Do you eat cheese on fajitas? ›

Thirdly, the toppings for fajitas and tacos can differ. While both dishes can be served with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream, fajitas usually have more substantial toppings, such as cheese and grilled vegetables, while tacos tend to have more traditional toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

Do you cut chicken before cooking for fajitas? ›

Step 2: Slice and season the chicken breasts.

Next, thinly slice chicken breasts. The best way to cut chicken breasts for fajitas is to slice each breast in half widthwise to create cutlets, then thinly slice each cutlet into strips.

Are fajitas Spanish or Mexican? ›

Fajitas, beef skirt steak grilled or sauteed with vegetables, served on flour tortillas was invented in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. It may be popular in tourist restaurants in Mexico, especially near the border, But it's originally a Mexican-American dish.

What is the difference between taco seasoning mix and fajita seasoning mix? ›

What is the difference between fajita seasoning and taco seasoning? The two are similar, but taco seasoning has more chili powder and oregano, while fajita seasoning has more cumin. In general, fajita seasoning is less spicy than taco seasoning, although when you make your own, it can be as spicy as you want it!

What is the difference between taco and fajita? ›

While both dishes can be served with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream, fajitas usually have more substantial toppings, such as cheese and grilled vegetables, while tacos tend to have more traditional toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

What's the difference between Mexican seasoning and taco seasoning? ›

Mexican seasoning typically consists of a blend of traditional herbs and spices while taco seasoning is a specific blend of spices that may not be used as much in traditional Mexican dishes.

What spices are in Old El Paso fajita mix? ›

Ingredients
  • Sugar,
  • Onion Powder (13%),
  • Salt,
  • Hydrolysed Soy Protein,
  • Spices (Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Ginger) (6%),
  • Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid),
  • Flavouring,
  • Smoke Flavouring,

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5418

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.