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)
• 8 oz Shell pasta (Uncooked; source gives a range of 8–10 oz)
• 2 cup Water (Approximately; add just 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; transcript also mentions an additional pinch of salt with the vegetables)
• 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 (Squeezed over the chicken after cooking; 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, coating them evenly.

2. 2

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

3. 3

   Squeeze lime juice over the cooked chicken, then remove it from the pan and set aside.

4. 4

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

5. 5

   Add the minced garlic and a pinch of salt to the softened vegetables.

6. 6

   Add the uncooked shell pasta to the pan.

7. 7

   Pour in approximately 2 cups of water, using just 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, cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack, along with the second amounts of the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and cumin.

10. 10

    Mix well until the sauce is creamy.

11. 11

    Add the cooked chicken back into the pan.

12. 12

    Chop the cilantro and add it to the dish to finish.

Notes

The transcript mentions a squeeze of lime juice and an extra pinch of salt, neither of which is quantified in the description. Chicken searing heat and duration are not stated. The listed shell-pasta amount is a range (8–10 oz); 8 oz is used for the numeric quantity.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• one-pot
• chicken
• comfort food
• weeknight
• American
• stovetop