Southwestern Pasta
A flavorful Southwestern pasta dish combining tender chicken, vibrant peppers, and spicy seasonings, topped with sour cream, salsa, and cheese for a hearty, colorful meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut chicken into strips or small chunks and coat well with taco seasoning.
- Saute the chicken in olive oil until cooked through.
- Add chopped onions, red pepper strips, green pepper strips, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet.
- Cook all together, seasoning with salt, pepper, and chili powder.
- Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions and drain.
- Mix the cooked pasta with the chicken and vegetable mixture.
- Serve in a pasta bowl and top with sour cream, salsa, and grated cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding jalapeños or increasing the chili powder. If you're short on time, rotisserie chicken can be a great substitute for fresh chicken. You can also swap penne for other pasta types like fusilli or farfalle. To enhance flavor, marinate the chicken in taco seasoning for a few hours before cooking.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with a side of Mexican rice or a fresh green salad. For an extra layer of flavor, serve with a squeeze of lime or fresh cilantro on top. You can also offer additional toppings like sliced avocado or diced tomatoes to customize each serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep it moist, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. Avoid reheating more than once for the best texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Southwestern Pasta contains roughly 424 calories, with 16g protein, 58g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (197% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (51% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (41% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1820mg per serving (79% 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 prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! You can cook the chicken and vegetables ahead of time, then mix with the cooked pasta just before serving. This makes it easier to serve for gatherings or busy weeknights. Just store the components separately in the fridge.
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).