Mexican Chicken Spaghettini
A vibrant Mexican-inspired pasta dish featuring tender chicken, fresh tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, and a spicy chili-lime flavor profile, perfect for lively family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 6 oz. spaghettini or spaghetti ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. minced fresh cilantro ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 2 tsp. minced deveined jalapeno pepper ⓘ
- 3/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 2 tsp. mild or hot chili powder
- 3/4 tsp. cumin ⓘ
- pinch of red pepper ⓘ
- 15 oz. skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti in boiling water for 8-10 minutes until tender, then drain.
- Keep the cooked spaghetti warm.
- In a large skillet, sauté the chicken pieces until cooked through.
- Add chopped tomatoes, scallions, minced jalapeno, chili powder, cumin, red pepper, and salt to the skillet.
- Cook for a few minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
- Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro.
- Serve the chicken mixture over the warm spaghetti.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider using a hotter variety of jalapeno or adding some crushed red pepper flakes to your chicken mixture. If fresh tomatoes are not available, canned diced tomatoes can be used as a substitute. Fresh lime juice adds brightness, but you can use lemon juice in a pinch. To save time, precook your chicken or use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vibrant dish with a side of Mexican recipes like refried beans or a fresh green salad to balance the meal. It pairs beautifully with the Chicken Tortilla Pie for a themed dinner night. Garnish your spaghettini with additional cilantro and lime wedges for an appealing presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. You can also warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to keep the spaghetti from drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mexican Chicken Spaghettini contains roughly 1029 calories, with 40g protein, 99g carbohydrates, and 68g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (711% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1866mg per serving (81% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use another type of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute spaghettini with other pasta shapes like penne or fettuccine. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta type you choose.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply replace the chicken with cooked black beans or chickpeas. You can also add additional vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to enhance the dish.
What can I serve with Mexican Chicken Spaghettini?
This dish goes well with a variety of sides such as garlic bread, a corn salad, or even a refreshing avocado salsa. You can also serve it with tortilla chips for a crunchy accompaniment.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).