Fajita Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breasts
• 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 dried oregano (For seasoning the chicken)
• 0.5 tsp ground cumin (For seasoning the chicken)
• 1 bell pepper
• 0.5 red onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 9 oz uncooked shell pasta (Source gives a range of 8–10 oz; 9 oz is used as a midpoint for nutrition and grams.)
• 2 cup water (Approximately; enough to cover the pasta)
• 12 oz evaporated milk
• 4 oz cheddar
• 4 oz mozzarella
• 4 oz pepper jack
• 1 tsp salt (For the pasta and cheese mixture; the transcript describes a pinch for the onion and pepper, but gives no separate amount.)
• 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 dried oregano (For the pasta and cheese mixture)
• 0.5 tsp ground 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, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon oregano, and ½ teaspoon cumin.

2. 2

   Sear the seasoned chicken in a pot or pan until cooked through. The source does not specify a heat level or cooking time.

3. 3

   Squeeze lime juice over the cooked chicken.

4. 4

   In the same pan, cook the red onion and bell pepper until soft.

5. 5

   Add the garlic and a pinch of salt to the softened onion and pepper.

6. 6

   Add the uncooked shell pasta to the pan.

7. 7

   Pour in approximately 2 cups water, or enough to cover the pasta.

8. 8

   Simmer for about 15 minutes, until most of the water has cooked off.

9. 9

   Add the evaporated milk and cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack.

10. 10

    Add the remaining salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and cumin.

11. 11

    Mix well until the cheese mixture is creamy.

12. 12

    Return the chicken to the pan.

13. 13

    Chop the cilantro and add it to the dish.

Notes

The transcript mentions squeezing lime over the chicken and adding a pinch of salt with the onion and pepper; neither detail has a separate measured amount in the description. The source does not specify chicken searing time or heat level, nor explicitly state whether the chicken is sliced before returning it to the pan.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pot
• pasta
• comfort food
• chicken
• cheesy
• weeknight dinner