Southwestern Chicken Pasta Recipes

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
• Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
• To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.

SOUTHWESTERN CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• In 12-inch skillet, place hot water, milk, seasoning mix and uncooked pasta (from Ultimate Chicken Helper box). Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat. Cover; simmer 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in frozen corn, black beans and chicken. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer 5 to 7 minutes longer or until pasta and vegetables are tender. Remove from heat. Stir in creamy Cheddar cheese sauce (from Ultimate Chicken Helper box) until well mixed; stir in tomato and 3 tablespoons of the cilantro. Cook until hot. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN ALFREDO PASTA BAKE RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C)
• Cook the fusilli pasta according to box instructions. This will make about 4½ cups (900g) of cooked pasta.
• In a large bowl, mix together cooked pasta, corn, black beans, cooked chicken, alfredo sauce, and taco seasoning.
• Pour into a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan and spread evenly around the pan.
• Sprinkle Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese over the top and cover with foil.
• Bake for 35 minutes, uncovering after 20 minutes to allow the cheese to brown.
• Garnish with cilantro.
• Enjoy!

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Add 2 1/2 tsp of salt and penne to the boiling water. Cook according to package directions.
• Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 1/2 tsp of salt and the oregano.
• Cut the chicken across the short side to create strips.
• Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over high heat.
• When the oil is hot, add the chicken.
• Spread it out into a single layer.
• Then add the sliced peppers.
• Cook without stirring for about 5 min - you would like the chicken to brown a little bit. If it seems as if it will burn, stir it.
• Add the salsa, stir and cook for about 5 more min or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Stir in the sour cream.
• Spoon cooked penne into a serving bowl or onto plates.
• Top with the chicken mixture.
• Sprinkle with chopped cilantro, if desired, and a little of the shredded cheese.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN PANINI

Steps:

• Whisk water, vegetable oil, and marinade mix together in a glass or ceramic bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes, or overnight.
• Preheat an electric grill (such as George Foreman®) for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Place chicken on the preheated grill, close the lid, and cook until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• While chicken is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion and saute until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Butter one side of each slice of bread. Assemble 2 sandwiches by layering Monterey Jack cheese, vegetables, and chicken between the unbuttered sides of the bread.
• Place sandwiches on the grill, close the lid, and cook until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

SOUTHWEST BEAN AND CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Cook mostaccioli according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion and red pepper in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the soup, chicken and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8 minutes. , Stir in beans; heat through. Drain mostaccioli; transfer to a serving bowl; top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN-PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit; mist a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente about 10 minute or as package directs. Drain.
• 2. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bell pepper,onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder and 2 tsp., salt; saute until onion is tender, 6- to 8 minute Add tomato paste and cook stirring constantly, 2 minute longer.
• 3. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, whisking until thickened about 5min. Add diced tomatoes and 1 cup cheese. Cook, whisking for 1 minute or until cheese melts.
• 4. Remove from heat. Stir in chiken and paste.Scrape into baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until bubbly; 20-25 minute (preheat broiler to high and broil casserole for a minute to brown, if desired )Let stand for 10-15min. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired, serve.