January 7, 2016

Skillet Chicken Fajita Whole Wheat Pasta

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This healthy skillet chicken fajita whole wheat pasta couldn’t be easier to make! With juicy chicken and fresh veggies, everything cookies in just one pot – even the pasta. Dairy free.

Two white plates filled with Chicken Fajita Pasta with forks.

Are you ready to kick the year off right with this healthy chicken fajita pasta?

We’re talking one skillet. ONE. Everything cooks right on up in there. Even the pasta. 

Because cleaning up fewer dishes is always a good thing.

Now, this dish can easily be made vegetarian / vegan (I’ve included notes for this down in the recipe itself). I like to give you options. Options are good.

And one more selling point. It re-heats very nicely.

So if you want to make this on the weekend, you can just store in the fridge in an airtight container and then eat as desired throughout the week. Big time love.

A black skillet filled with Fajita Pasta with a wooden spoon in the pan.

So, the key to this recipe is that we are cooking in layers, if you will. We’ll saute the chicken and veggies first in the skillet and then remove to a bowl. This way they keep a nice texture in the final dish.

Then the pasta, some broth and diced tomatoes get all groovy together in the skillet and simmer away until the pasta is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

It all gets mixed back together and then we chow down.

While the dish definitely can stand on its own as a meal, we are kinda sorta obsessed with serving it with roasted green beans on the side. Cannot get enough.

Two white plates filled with Skillet Chicken Fajita Whole Wheat Pasta.

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Recipe for skillet chicken fajita whole wheat pasta. Everything cooks in just one skillet! Even the pasta! Healthy and packed with veggies!

Skillet Chicken Fajita Whole Wheat Pasta

Yield: 4 to 5 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

This healthy skillet chicken fajita whole wheat pasta couldn’t be easier to make! With juicy chicken and fresh veggies, everything cookies in just one pot - even the pasta. Dairy free. 

Ingredients

For the skillet:

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium red onion, sliced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 medium jalapeno, seeded and sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 ¾ cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 8 ounces uncooked whole wheat fusilli pasta*
  • ½ cup unsweetened plain almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • juice of ½ a lime

For garnish:

  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • thinly sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with some salt and pepper.
  2. Set a large nonstick skillet (that has a lid) over medium heat. Add in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. When hot, add the chicken to the pan. Toss to coat and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked through and starting to brown. With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken pieces from the pan to a medium bowl and set aside.
  3. Set the skillet back over medium heat and add in the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. When hot, add in the onion, peppers and jalapeno. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, until tender.
  4. Stir in the garlic, cumin, paprika, salt and cayenne and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Remove the veggies from the pan to the bowl with the chicken and set aside.
  5. Add the tomatoes, broth and pasta to the skillet. Bring the liquid just to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat and simmer fairly vigorously for about 11 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally (and more frequently toward the end of the cooking time), or until the pasta is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat.
  6. Stir in the milk, lime juice and the chicken / veggies. Allow the pasta to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Taste and season with additional salt / cayenne as needed. Garnish with the cilantro and green onions.

Notes

*You can use another smaller whole wheat pasta shape here - just make sure that it has an 11 to 14 minute cook time (according to package directions).

Don’t dig the chicken? Skip that step and add in 1 (15 ounce) can black beans (drained and rinsed) when you add the milk.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 466Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 551mgCarbohydrates: 68gFiber: 10gSugar: 13gProtein: 29g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.

© Ashley / Cook Nourish Bliss
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Main Dish
Dairy Free, Main Dish, Pasta, Poultry, Recipes (ALL), Soy Free, Weeknight
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