This creamy chicken fajita pasta salad recipe is a fantastic way to bring vibrant flavors and satisfying textures to your dinner table without a lot of fuss. It’s a perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something homemade and delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Combining tender chicken, colorful bell peppers, and pasta in a rich, creamy sauce, this dish is both hearty and refreshing. It’s versatile enough for a family meal and travels beautifully, making it an excellent choice for potlucks, picnics, or meal prepping lunches for the week ahead.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This creamy chicken fajita pasta salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish, perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings. It combines tender chicken, colorful bell peppers, and pasta in a rich, creamy sauce, offering a hearty yet refreshing meal that’s easy to prepare and versatile for various occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips or cubes and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the sliced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly softened.
4. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle the fajita seasoning mix over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. In a separate medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, milk, mayonnaise, and fresh lime juice. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps of cream cheese visible. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro.
6. Add the seasoned chicken and vegetable mixture to the large bowl with the drained pasta. Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta, chicken, and vegetables. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all the pasta and ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
7. Taste the pasta salad and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. For best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the creamy chicken fajita pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
8. Before serving, give the pasta salad another quick stir. Garnish with extra fresh cilantro, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: sauteing
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Keywords: chicken, fajita, pasta salad, creamy, easy, weeknight, potluck, meal prep, bell peppers, lime
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This creamy chicken fajita pasta salad is a true crowd-pleaser that delivers on flavor and convenience. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, making it ideal for those evenings when time is short but you still want a satisfying meal. It’s perfect for families, as the flavors are generally well-received by both adults and children, and you can easily adjust the spice level to suit everyone’s preferences. This recipe shines as a main course for dinner, a substantial side dish for a barbecue, or a standout contribution to any potluck or gathering. Its balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates makes it a complete meal in one bowl.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is the best way to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience in the kitchen. This recipe uses readily available items that you might already have on hand, simplifying your shopping list.
INGREDIENTS:
- 12 ounces pasta (such as rotini, penne, or farfalle)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips or cubes
- 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind, dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the pasta, feel free to use your favorite short pasta shape. Rotini, penne, or farfalle work wonderfully as they hold the creamy sauce well. If you don’t have fresh bell peppers, frozen sliced bell peppers can be used – just make sure to thaw them first and drain any excess water. When it comes to fajita seasoning, a good quality store-bought mix is perfectly fine for convenience, but you can also easily make your own with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne. Any type of milk will work for the sauce, from whole milk to almond milk, depending on your preference. For the mayonnaise, choose your favorite brand; light mayo works just as well.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for busy schedules.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15-20 minutes
- Total time: 30-35 minutes
The bulk of the prep involves slicing the chicken and vegetables, which can even be done ahead of time to shave off a few extra minutes. The cooking process is straightforward, with the pasta boiling while you sauté the chicken and vegetables, bringing everything together quickly.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this creamy chicken fajita pasta salad is a breeze with these clear steps. Pay attention to the visual cues to ensure perfect results every time.
- Cook the Pasta to Al Dente Perfection: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until it’s al dente – firm to the bite. Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Sauté the Chicken Until Golden: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips or cubes and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. It should no longer be pink in the center. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Softening the Fajita Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly softened. They should still have a bit of a bite to them, not be mushy.
- Seasoning the Chicken and Vegetables: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle the fajita seasoning mix over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. The seasoning should cling to the ingredients, creating a vibrant aroma.
- Prepare the Creamy Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, milk, mayonnaise, and fresh lime juice. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps of cream cheese visible. The dressing should be pourable but still thick enough to coat the pasta. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro.
- Combine All Ingredients for the Pasta Salad: Add the seasoned chicken and vegetable mixture to the large bowl with the drained pasta. Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta, chicken, and vegetables. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all the pasta and ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Season and Chill: Taste the pasta salad and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. For best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the creamy chicken fajita pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, give the pasta salad another quick stir. Garnish with extra fresh cilantro, if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This creamy chicken fajita pasta salad is incredibly adaptable to different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce the amount of fajita seasoning or use a milder version. You could also add a handful of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese to the mix for extra creaminess and flavor that kids often love.
If you want to swap out the protein, shrimp or even a can of drained and rinsed black beans would work well for a vegetarian option. For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the fajita seasoning or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing. A few diced jalapeños (fresh or pickled) would also add a nice zing.
This pasta salad is fantastic served chilled as a main course for lunch or dinner. It’s also a perfect dish for parties or buffets because it holds up well and doesn’t require reheating. Consider serving it alongside a simple green salad, some crusty bread, or even a bowl of tortilla chips for scooping. Optional toppings could include a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese, or a dash of your favorite salsa for an extra layer of flavor.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but knowing what to look for can help you achieve perfect results every time. One frequent mistake is overcooking the pasta. Overcooked pasta becomes mushy and doesn’t hold up well in a cold salad. Always cook it to al dente, which means it should still have a slight bite to it. Rinsing the pasta with cold water after draining is crucial to stop the cooking process and prevent it from clumping together.
Another common error is not softening the cream cheese enough before mixing the dressing. If your cream cheese is cold and hard, it will be difficult to whisk into a smooth consistency, leading to lumps in your dressing. Make sure to let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or gently warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until pliable.
Finally, don’t skimp on seasoning. Taste the chicken and vegetables after adding the fajita seasoning, and definitely taste the final pasta salad before serving. Adjust salt, pepper, and even lime juice as needed. The flavors can mellow as the salad chills, so a final taste test is always a good idea.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This creamy chicken fajita pasta salad is an excellent make-ahead dish, and it stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. To store, transfer the cooled pasta salad to an airtight container. It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
When making it ahead, you can prepare the chicken and vegetables, cook the pasta, and even mix the dressing separately. Store each component in its own airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply combine everything, toss well, and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This method can help maintain the texture of the pasta and prevent it from absorbing too much dressing if you’re preparing it more than a day in advance.
If the pasta salad seems a little dry
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
