Description
This Southwest Chicken Alfredo is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish combining tender chicken strips seasoned with a spicy southwest blend, juicy diced tomatoes, and a rich cheddar and cream sauce tossed with penne pasta for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. Penne Pasta
- 1 lb. Chicken Breasts cut into 1″ strips
- 1 (15 oz.) can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 cup Onion chopped
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoon Cilantro chopped
Southwest Seasoning:
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne
Instructions
- Mix Southwest Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix the southwest seasoning blend together.
- Season Chicken: Add cut chicken to a large bowl and drizzle in honey and half of the seasonings. Toss to combine.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook penne pasta according to package instructions for al dente. When done, drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add seasoned chicken and cook for a few minutes on each side until cooked through. When nice and golden, transfer chicken to a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables and Simmer Sauce: Add diced onion and butter to the same skillet you cooked the chicken in over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes until tender. Add garlic and cook another minute. Add diced tomatoes and the remaining seasoning and bring to a low simmer.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring until fully incorporated. Bring to a nice simmer. Add chicken back to the skillet. Sprinkle in cheddar cheese and stir to combine.
- Toss Pasta and Serve: Add penne pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. Remove pasta from heat and let sit a few minutes. When done, stir pasta again to fully coat in sauce and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes
- Let pasta sit a few minutes off the heat to allow sauce to thicken and coat evenly.
