Description
A creamy, bold, and beginner-friendly Southwest Chicken Alfredo featuring tender chicken, smoky spices, and a rich cheese sauce tossed with pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Chicken Breasts, cut into strips
- 1/2 lb Penne Pasta
- 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 tablespoons Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons 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 Pepper
Instructions
- Mix the Southwest seasoning blend together in a small bowl.
- Cut chicken into strips, drizzle with honey, and toss with half of the seasoning blend.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions until tender, then add garlic and cook for one more minute.
- Add diced tomatoes and remaining seasoning, simmering gently to blend flavors.
- Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring; bring to a simmer, then return chicken to the skillet.
- Sprinkle in cheddar cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and toss to fully coat in sauce; let sit for a few minutes off heat.
- Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the pasta just before serving and enjoy.
Notes
- If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Reduce or omit cayenne pepper if a milder spice level is preferred.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted for cilantro.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently with a little cream or milk to refresh the sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 1092
- Sugar: 49g
- Sodium: 921mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 121g
- Fiber: 20g
- Protein: 57g
- Cholesterol: 190mg