Make a delicious One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta in just 29 minutes — an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner everyone will love.
I consider this recipe the culmination of a lot of testing and tweaking — the one pot dish I return to again and again. It balances fajita-style flavors with creamy pasta for a comforting, spicy-savored meal that’s quick enough for busy weeknights. Ground chicken keeps the dish lean and quick to brown, while bell peppers, onion, and pepper jack cheese give it that classic Tex-Mex flair.
This recipe was developed to be simple and forgiving: everything cooks together in a single pot, so cleanup is minimal and the flavors meld as the pasta absorbs the seasoned broth. It’s versatile too — easy to customize to your heat tolerance and pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups bell pepper, diced (mix colors if you like)
- 1 cup red onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground chicken breast
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (use more or less to taste)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups macaroni noodles (uncooked) — or other short pasta like penne or shells
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced bell pepper, red onion, and minced garlic. Cook briefly until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
- Add the ground chicken to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes total.
- Stir in the ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, and sea salt. Pour in the hot sauce and the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir to combine.
- Add the uncooked macaroni noodles and chicken broth to the pot. Give everything a gentle stir to distribute the pasta.
- Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 15 minutes. Check and stir, then recover and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the lid and stir in the shredded pepper jack cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust salt or hot sauce as needed.
- Serve hot. Garnish with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or a dollop of sour cream if desired.
This one pot Chicken Fajita Pasta comes together quickly and delivers big, familiar flavors. It’s perfect for families, meal prep, or anyone who appreciates a hearty, cheesy, spice-forward dinner with minimal fuss.
Tips & Variations
- Swap the ground chicken for diced boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs. If using larger pieces, brown them first and simmer a little longer until cooked through.
- Try different pasta shapes — penne, shells, or rigatoni work well. Cooking time may vary slightly by shape and brand.
- Adjust the heat by using less hot sauce or swapping pepper jack for Monterey Jack or cheddar for a milder flavor.
- Make it vegetarian by replacing chicken with firm tofu crumbles or extra beans and using vegetable broth.
- Add extra veggies like corn, zucchini, or black beans for more color and texture.
- Finish with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro to brighten the flavors before serving.
Serving & Storage
Serve this dish hot with optional toppings such as sour cream, sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, or warm corn tortillas. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce, or microwave in short intervals, stirring between each burst until warmed through.
Recipe Details
- Servings: 4 people
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Author: Whitney Bond (recipe attribution retained)
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
- Calories: 594 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Fat: 26 g (Saturated fat: 9 g)
- Cholesterol: 123 mg
- Sodium: 1548 mg
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sugar: 9 g
- Vitamin C and other micronutrients will vary with pepper choice and serving size.
More One Pot Pasta Ideas
If you enjoy one pot pasta meals, try other flavor combinations such as spicy buffalo-style, Mediterranean beef and macaroni, creamy Italian sausage shells, ravioli with pesto and sausage, or a classic carbonara. These one pot recipes are all about convenience and bold flavor—perfect for busy nights.