Fajita Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 Chicken breasts (large)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tsp Salt (for seasoning the chicken)
• 2 tsp Garlic powder (for seasoning the chicken)
• 2 tsp Onion powder (for seasoning the chicken)
• 1 tsp Paprika (for seasoning the chicken)
• 1 tsp Chili powder (for seasoning the chicken)
• 0.5 tsp Oregano (for seasoning the chicken)
• 0.5 tsp Cumin (for seasoning the chicken)
• 1 Bell pepper
• 0.5 Red onion
• 2 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 9 oz Shell pasta (uncooked; source gives a range of 8–10 oz)
• 2 cup Water (approximately; use just enough to cover the pasta)
• 12 oz Evaporated milk
• 4 oz Cheddar cheese
• 4 oz Mozzarella cheese
• 4 oz Pepper jack cheese
• 1 tsp Salt (for the pasta and cheese mixture, as listed; transcript also says to add a pinch with the garlic)
• 1 tsp Garlic powder (for the pasta and cheese mixture)
• 1 tsp Onion powder (for the pasta and cheese mixture)
• 1 tsp Paprika (for the pasta and cheese mixture)
• 1 tsp Chili powder (for the pasta and cheese mixture)
• 0.5 tsp Oregano (for the pasta and cheese mixture)
• 0.5 tsp Cumin (for the pasta and cheese mixture)
• Lime juice (squeeze over the cooked chicken; amount not stated)
• 1 tbsp Cilantro (chopped)

Steps

1. 1

   Season the chicken breasts with the olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and cumin listed for the chicken, coating them evenly.

2. 2

   Heat a pan and sear the seasoned chicken. Cook it through, then squeeze lime juice over the chicken. Remove it from the pan and set aside.

3. 3

   Add the bell pepper and red onion to the same pan. Cook until softened.

4. 4

   Add the minced garlic and a pinch of salt to the pan.

5. 5

   Add the uncooked shell pasta and enough water to cover it, about 2 cups.

6. 6

   Simmer for about 15 minutes, until most of the water has cooked off and the pasta is cooked. Stir as needed to keep the pasta from sticking.

7. 7

   Pour in the evaporated milk and add the cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, and the remaining listed salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and cumin.

8. 8

   Mix well until the cheeses melt and the sauce is creamy.

9. 9

   Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir it into the pasta and sauce.

10. 10

    Chop the cilantro and add it to the finished dish.

Notes

The transcript gives about 15 minutes for simmering but does not specify the chicken-searing time, pan temperature, amount of lime juice, or when exactly the chopped cilantro is added. The post lists 8–10 oz pasta; 9 oz is used here as a midpoint estimate. Salt quantities are taken from the written ingredient list; the transcript separately describes adding a pinch of salt with the garlic.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• one-pot
• comfort food
• chicken
• cheesy
• stovetop
• easy dinner