Description
Creamy Chicken Taco Pasta is a delicious one-pot meal that blends Mexican flavors with comforting pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (16 oz) penne pasta
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel original diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and coat with taco seasoning.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the diced onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the black beans, corn, and Rotel tomatoes. Add heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked chicken and pasta back to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through for 2–3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta—al dente texture is ideal.
- Add lime juice for extra freshness.
- Use plant-based cream and cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Swap chicken for tofu or beans for a vegetarian variation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy chicken taco pasta, one-pot pasta, Mexican chicken pasta, easy dinner recipe, taco pasta