Easy Southwest Chicken Pasta

If you're looking for a simple yet flavorful dinner that satisfies the whole family, this Southwest Chicken Pasta is a fantastic choice. Using thinly sliced chicken breast seasoned with Cajun spices adds a perfect kick of Southwest flavor while keeping the dish healthy and protein-packed. Cooking the chicken in a pan until medium done before removing allows you to build the sauce in the same pan, enhancing the dish's depth with the browned bits left behind. Boiling protein-enriched penne pasta complements the chicken well, providing extra nutrition along with satisfying texture. Many cooks prefer Barilla Protein+ penne for its great taste and higher protein content, but any penne pasta will work. The creamy sauce in this recipe is made by mixing jarred Alfredo or cream-based sauce, Rotel diced tomatoes, and a fajita seasoning packet along with heavy cream. This mixture creates a rich, flavorful sauce that perfectly melds the Southwest spices with creamy comfort. Heating everything together until fully combined ensures your sauce is smooth and luscious. Finally, adding the cut, cooked chicken pieces back into the sauce and mixing with the cooked pasta creates a delightful one-pan meal that’s both easy and satisfying. Serving it with extra cheese on top can add a nice finishing touch. This dish is not only budget-friendly and quick to prepare but also toddler-approved and a hit with adults, making it an ideal recipe for busy weeknights. For variations, you could add sautéed bell peppers or onions for more veggies or swap heavy cream for a lighter milk alternative to reduce calories. Try experimenting with different Cajun or Southwest seasoning blends to further tailor this recipe to your taste.