This creamy chicken fajita pasta recipe is vibrant, packed with flavor, and simple to prepare. Juicy chicken is seasoned with a homemade fajita spice blend, then combined with sautéed bell peppers and onions. Tossed with fusilli in a cheesy fajita cream sauce, it’s a one-pot dinner that comes together in under an hour — ideal for busy weeknights when you want something quick and delicious.
This one-pot chicken fajita pasta blends fajita flavors with comforting pasta for an easy family meal — cheesy and full of bold taste, with fewer dishes to clean up. It also reheats well, making it great for leftovers. Top with avocado crema or serve alongside salsa and chips for a restaurant-style finish at home.
Chicken Fajita Pasta
The secret to this dish is layering flavor: chicken coated in a homemade fajita mix, peppers and onions cooked until tender and slightly sweet, and a sauce enriched with cream cheese and shredded cheese for a silky finish. A touch of hot sauce adds heat while lime brightens the sauce so it stays creamy without feeling heavy. It’s a simple recipe that quickly becomes a household favorite.
Try other easy dinners like slow cooker chicken enchiladas or one pot taco rice for more weeknight inspiration.
Ingredient Highlights
(Full ingredient list appears in the recipe card below.)
- Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs stay tender and absorb the fajita spices well.
- Homemade fajita seasoning: A simple homemade mix gives fresh control over flavor and salt.
- Fajita veggies: A colorful mix of bell peppers and onions adds sweetness, texture, and classic fajita character.
- Pasta: Short shapes like fusilli or penne catch the creamy sauce and make every bite satisfying.
- Heavy cream and cream cheese: Create a smooth, rich sauce without extra fuss.
- Mexican shredded cheese blend: Melts into the sauce for a cohesive, cheesy finish; Parmesan can be used if preferred.
- Lime juice and hot sauce: Lime brightens the flavors, while hot sauce provides a balanced kick.
How to Make Chicken Fajita Pasta
Step 1: Season and cook the chicken. Mix the fajita seasoning and use half to coat bite-sized chicken pieces. Sear in a large skillet until browned and cooked through, then remove and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the pasta and vegetables. Boil pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté bell peppers and onions until just softened and flavorful.
Step 3: Build the creamy fajita sauce. Melt butter, sauté garlic until fragrant, then add tomato paste, chicken bouillon paste, sazon, flour, and the remaining seasoning to form a paste. Gradually add chicken broth, then stir in heavy cream and cream cheese until smooth.
Step 4: Bring everything together. Simmer the sauce until it thickens slightly, then add lime juice, hot sauce, and shredded cheese. Return the chicken, peppers, onions, and pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated. Garnish with cilantro or green onion. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Expert Tips for Making Chicken Fajita Pasta
- Cook pasta to al dente. It will soften further when mixed with the warm sauce.
- Allow chicken to brown. Let pieces sit in the hot pan a few minutes to develop color and flavor before stirring.
- Keep peppers and onions slightly firm. Aim for tender but not mushy for the best fajita texture.
- Melt cheese over low heat. This prevents graininess and delivers a silky sauce.
- Use a splash of broth or cream when reheating. Leftovers thicken in the fridge; a little liquid will revive the sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Chicken breast works, but watch cooking time closely since breast meat is leaner and can dry out faster.
It has a gentle kick from the hot sauce and fajita seasoning, but it’s not overly spicy. Adjust heat by adding or reducing hot sauce, cayenne, jalapeños, or red pepper flakes.
Yes. It reheats well and is great for meal prep; just cook the pasta al dente to avoid over-softening when reheating.
Absolutely. Homemade seasoning gives control over flavor and salt, but store-bought packets work fine — taste the sauce before adding extra salt.
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Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe
Equipment
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Large Skillet
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Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
Chicken Fajita Seasoning
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
Chicken Fajita Pasta
- 16 oz Fusilli Pasta
- 1 1/2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Red Bell Pepper (sliced)
- Yellow Bell Pepper (sliced)
- 1 small Red Onion (sliced)
- 2 tbsp Salted Butter
- 6 cloves Garlic (diced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 2 tsp Chicken Bouillon Paste
- 1 packet Sazon
- 2 tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 4 oz Cream Cheese
- 2 tbsp Lime Juice
- 1 tbsp Hot Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups Mexican Cheese Blend
- Cilantro (diced, for garnish)
Instructions
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Combine seasoning blend: smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, cayenne, black pepper, and kosher salt.
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Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, pat dry, toss with about 1 tbsp olive oil and half the seasoning until evenly coated. Let it marinate briefly while you cook the pasta.
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
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Sauté sliced bell peppers and onion in the skillet with a little oil until slightly softened, about 5–7 minutes, then remove and set aside.
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Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter, add garlic and cook 1–2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, chicken bouillon paste, sazon, flour, and remaining seasoning until a thick paste forms, about 2–3 minutes.
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Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Add heavy cream and cream cheese, stirring until smooth. Simmer about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Stir in lime juice, hot sauce, and shredded cheese until the cheese melts. Fold in the cooked chicken, peppers, onions, and pasta until everything is well coated. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.