Description
Southwest Chicken Alfredo combines seasoned chicken, penne pasta, tomatoes, cheddar, and heavy cream in a rich sauce with smoky Southwest spices. It comes together in 30 mins for a creamy, filling dinner with just enough heat to keep every bite interesting.
Ingredients
- ½ lb penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch strips
- 1 can, 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Southwest Seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Mix the seasoning: Combine the chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Coat the chicken with honey and half of the seasoning mixture.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the penne according to the package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for a few minutes on each side until golden and cooked through, then transfer it to a plate.
- Build the sauce: Add the butter and onion to the same skillet and cook until tender. Stir in the garlic for 1 minute, then add the diced tomatoes and remaining Southwest seasoning and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Make it creamy: Slowly stir in the heavy cream. Return the chicken to the skillet, add the cheddar, and stir over gentle heat until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Finish the pasta: Add the drained penne and toss until thoroughly coated. Remove from the heat, let it rest briefly, then stir again and finish with chopped cilantro.
Notes
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer after adding the cream to help it stay smooth. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Cuisine: American Southwest
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 720 kcal per serving
Keywords: Southwest Chicken Alfredo