When youâre craving something flavorful, satisfying, and quick to make, One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta is the perfect choice. This dish combines the best of two beloved meals, the vibrant spices of fajitas and the comforting heartiness of pasta, all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup and minimal fuss.
What makes this dish truly stand out is how all the ingredients meld together. Tender chicken, sautéed peppers, and onions cook alongside pasta, soaking up the bold fajita seasoning. The dish is then finished off with a creamy sauce that balances the spices and adds richness, tying everything together into a cohesive, mouthwatering meal.
The beauty of One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta lies in its versatility. You can use whatever pasta you have on hand, penne, rotini, or spaghetti, and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Whether you want it mild or spicy, the fajita seasoning can be easily adjusted to suit your taste. A little lime juice squeezed at the end brightens up the dish, adding a tangy freshness that complements the richness of the cream.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or nights when you want something filling but donât want to spend much time in the kitchen. The fact that itâs all cooked in one pot makes it especially convenient. You get a complete meal – protein, vegetables, and carbs, all in one pan, and thereâs no need for multiple pots or extra dishes.
Top it off with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a few crumbles of cheese, or a dollop of sour cream, and youâve got a meal thatâs as comforting as it is flavorful. One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta is not only quick but also a perfect crowd-pleaser, whether youâre feeding your family, roommates, or guests. Itâs easy, itâs bold, and itâs delicious – what more could you ask for?

Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz
- 1 can green chilies (4 ounces), diced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped fresh
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add the onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to coat the vegetables in the spices.
- Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, diced green chilies, and pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, until the pasta is cooked and the liquid has reduced.
- Stir in the cooked chicken and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
- Remove the pot from the heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
- Enjoy!
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My kidz loved it!! đ§âđł I dunno about the cilantro though. Can I leave that out next time?
Absolutely! You can totally leave out the cilantro if it’s not your thing. Itâll still taste great without it! đ
Not bad, but the texture was kinda thick and pasta got a little mushy on my end. Maybe I simmered too long.
I made this and it turned out great! The spice level was just perfect for me! đ
That’s awesome! I’m glad it turned out well. I can’t wait to try it myself! đ
Really? I thought it needed more spices… but maybe I just prefer it spicier.
Just not my style. Pasta and fajitas?? Sounds weird. 2/5.
I am not good at cooking, but I gave this a shot and it actually turned out pretty good!
Why is it called ‘fajita’ if there’s no tortillas? Confused…
I think fajitas usually need tortillas, right? But this still sounds yummy!
Not bad, but the cheddar made it kind of heavy. Also I think 2 cups broth felt low since the pasta absorbed a lotâmine got a little thicker than I wanted. Maybe add more liquid?
10/10 will make again. Yuuummm!
Is there even enough chicken in this? I was expecting it to be more meaty.
This is amazingâlike fajitas but in pasta form. 10/10 would recommend. My kids actually ate the peppers, which is a miracle.
It was okay, but I found it a bit too spicy for my taste. Maybe less chili powder next time?
I used chicken thighs instead of breasts and it was juicier. However, I didnât have cilantro so I swapped parsleyâworked but the vibe was different.
One pot? More like one mess! Took forever to clean up after making this.
I forgot the cilantro and it still turned out fine, but Iâll try to get it next time.
Good, but I think you forgot to say when to add the cheese! I did it too early and it clumped.
Didnât turn out right. My pasta was mushy! Maybe I overcooked it?
Sounds like you might have boiled it too long! Try reducing the simmer time next time. You got this!
My cheese didnât fully meltâkinda clumped up. Maybe I shouldâve turned the heat down more before adding it? Still edible though.
This tastes like fajitas had a pasta baby. My whole family asked for seconds, which never happens on a weeknight. đ
Meh. Too many veggies for my taste. Next time, less peppers!
I get it! Not everyone loves a veggie overload. Maybe try less next time or just adjust the recipe to your liking! đ
This was my first time making pasta. Don’t know how it turned out!!!
I found it a bit too spicy, maybe less chili powder next time?
I think the spice level is just right! Maybe try to get used to it? It’s part of the flavor!
I was skeptical about one-pot pasta with chicken broth, but it actually turned out great. The veggies stayed flavorful and not mushy. Would totally make again.
I liked it, but I thought it needed more heat. Next time Iâll use diced jalapeños instead of just green chilies.
Totally agree on the heat! I made it once and it was kind of mild. Jalapeños (or even chipotle) wouldâve kicked it up perfectly.
Green chilies arenât really spicy-spicy though⊠next time try adding chili powder to taste *and* a pinch of cayenne. The pasta needs more seasoning too.
This was so delicious! My whole family loved it. Will definitely make again!
Wow, this recipe was a hit at my family dinner! My kids loved it!
Really? I donât know if my kids would like this kinda stuff. They are picky eaters.
I’m glad to hear that! It’s always great when the kids enjoy a meal.
Yum! Best dinner ever! Will make again for sure.
Chicken fajita pasta??? Sounds like something Iâd eat at a potluck. I followed it exactly and it came out okay, but honestly it felt kinda bland until I added extra pepper and salt at the end.
Pretty tasty, but I found the pasta needed closer to 15 minutes instead of 10-12. Also I used pre-shredded cheese and it clumped a bitânext time Iâll shred fresh.
this looks so good
Solid recipe, not gonna lie. I followed it pretty closely, but my pasta took closer to 14 minutes since my pot runs hot. Still turned out great and the sauce thickened nicely.
Heavenly!!! đ„ł I could eat this every day! Just what I needed.
This recipe is amazing! I tried it last night, and it was a hit with my family. đ
The instructions are easy, but I was confused when it said simmer 10-12 minutesâmine needed closer to 15 to get the penne tender. Still turned out good.
Ok, but isnât fajitas usually in a wrap? This is more like pasta soup.
It was ok but too spicy for my kids. Maybe less chili powder next time?
5 stars for effort, but my chicken came out dry đ I sliced it a bit too thick. Overall decent, just needs timing tweaks.
Happened to me too đ I think 5 minutes on medium-high is too long for most stoves. Next time Iâll cook the chicken like 3-4 mins and keep the pasta simmer time tight.
Ugh, sorry about the dry chicken! Slicing thinner definitely helpsâalso try not to over-brown it in step 1. If you want, you can simmer a couple extra minutes after adding the chicken back so it stays juicy.
Honestly, I donât get the cheddar part. Itâs fine, but it makes it more like mac than fajitas.
I totally get what you meanâcheddar definitely pushes it toward âpasta comfortâ instead of classic fajitas. But I like it because it makes the sauce creamy and clings to the penne. If you want it more fajita-ish, you could use a mix of monterey jack + a little taco seasoning flavor, or even skip cheddar and top with shredded lettuce/cilantro instead.
Made this tonight and it was seriously comforting. The one-pot thing is a win, and the cheddar melt on top was perfect.
This was amazing! The flavors were on point. My family loved it!
Pretty good, but my pasta took longer than 12 minutes. I had to add a splash more broth so it didnât get too thick.
Uh, how do you cook penne? It seemed tough after 12 mins.
Penne should usually cook for about 11-13 mins for al dente. Maybe just cook it a bit longer next time? Itâs all about personal preference!
I cooked mine for like 10 mins and it was fine. Dnt forget to stir it so doesnât stick!!
I liked the flavor a lot, especially the cumin + chili powder combo. Next time Iâll use a little more broth because my pasta soaked up more than expected.
wasnt sure about the peppers, but they added really nice flavor.
Totally agree! I was surprised too, but the peppers really took it to the next level.
Mmmm! Super tasty and quick to make. Thumbs up! đ
5 stars! Simple and quick for weeknight dinners!
I totally agree! I made it last night and it was so easy and delicious! 5 stars from me too!
Seems a bit too simple… I feel like it could use more spices or something. Not sure if I’ll try it.
1 pot?? Nothin’s ever that simple. But it was okay overall.
My chicken was a little dry even after browning. I think I sliced it too thickâotherwise the spices were really nice.
Sorry yours came out dry! Slicing thinner definitely helpsâalso try not to overcook once the pasta starts simmering. I usually aim for the pasta to be just cooked and keep an eye on the liquid.
Solid recipe, pretty forgiving. Mine took closer to 15 minutes to get the penne tender, but that might be my stove. Flavor is great thoughâcumin + paprika combo is perfect.
This was amazing! My kids loved it and asked for seconds. Will make again!
So glad you and your kids enjoyed it! It’s really a hit at family dinners! đ
Idk, my kids donât like onions or peppers. Maybe Iâll try it without those. đ€·ââïž
Too complicated for me. I prefer microwave meals.
Wanted to love it but the chicken was dry. How do yâall cook it so itâs not dry?!
Eh. The chili powder + cumin + paprika combo is too much for me, and the cheddar made it kind of heavy. Iâd cut the spices in half next time.
This was so good! My whole family loved it! Will make it again for sure.
I followed it mostly, but I think 10-12 minutes wasnât enough for my penne. Ended up cooking the pasta longer in the brothâstill tasted good though.
Best pasta recipe ever! So easy and full of flavor!
My husband doesnât like peppers, so I left them out. Still delicious!
Love this recipe but can I add corn? Seems like it would fit.
Disappointed. It was too bland for my taste. Took forever to cook too. Won’t be trying again.
This turned out so flavorful! The cumin + paprika combo is đ„ and the one-pot cleanup was a win. I added a squeeze of lime at the end and it really popped.
Yummy! Just added some sour cream on top. Mmm!
This was sooo good! I added some extra cheese because why not? đ
Extra cheese is always a win! I’m gonna try that next time. đ€€
This was so delicious! My family devoured it in no time. Will definitely make again!
I think 1 pound chicken might be too much? Mine got a little dry even though it was sliced. Maybe cook it shorter or use thighs. Flavor was solid though.
Iâve had the dry-breast problem too. Cutting thinner definitely helps, but I now pull it as soon as itâs just cooked through (like 3-4 min browning) and then let it warm through in step 5. Thighs are also a game changer.
I donât get it, why is it called one-pot? You still gotta clean the pot, right?
I love one-pot dishes! This was easy and my kids ate it up. Will make again!
Pretty good, but mine was a little watery after the pasta simmer. Next time Iâll use less broth or simmer 2-3 minutes longer before adding the chicken/cheese.
too many steps! I like simpler recipes…
Not bad, but I felt like it needed more spice. Maybe add some jalapeños next time?
The flavors were nice, but the pasta turned out too mushy for my liking.
Maybe try cooking the pasta for less time next time? I’ve found 8 minutes usually works better for me!
Way too spicy for me. Even with the green chilies, it hit hard. Could half the chili powder next time or use mild chilies.
Hmm, I wonder if my âgreen chiliesâ were hotter than yours. I went with 1 can as written and it definitely had a kick. Iâd try reducing chili powder or using half a can next run.
Totally agreeâthis one is spicy. Next time Iâll cut the chili powder in half and maybe use mild green chilies too. Thanks for the heads up!
Gonna try this with shrimp instead of chicken. Hope it works!