Crockpot Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Crockpot Chicken Fajita Pasta is a delicious and easy one-pot meal that brings together the bold flavors of fajitas with creamy pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines tender chicken, sautéed peppers, and a cheesy sauce that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds boneless & skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (1 ounce) fajita seasoning packet
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 (10 ounce) can tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12 ounces penne pasta, cooked
• 1½ cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and fajita seasoning.
2. Step 2: Add the sliced red and green bell peppers and onion to the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Place the seasoned chicken breasts directly on top of the vegetables.
4. Step 4: Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients, cover, and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is tender.
5. Step 5: Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks, then stir in the heavy cream.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked penne pasta and shredded Mexican-blend cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted and the pasta is fully coated with the creamy fajita sauce.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or use a spicy fajita seasoning mix.
• You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or sour cream for a lighter sauce.
• Add black beans or corn for additional texture and flavor.
• Use rotisserie chicken to save time; just add it during the last hour of cooking to meld flavors.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore the sauce’s creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can adapt it by using the sauté function to cook the vegetables and then pressure cooking the chicken for about 10 minutes. Finish by shredding the chicken and stirring in the cream, pasta, and cheese.

What pasta works best for this dish?

Penne is a great choice as it holds the sauce well, but other medium-sized pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini will also work nicely.

Crockpot Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 90 reviews

This Crockpot Chicken Fajita Pasta is a deliciously creamy and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender slow-cooked chicken fajita seasoned with bell peppers, onions, and a creamy sauce, served over perfectly cooked penne pasta. It’s an easy, comforting dinner perfect for busy weekdays or cozy weekend meals.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Seasoning

• 1½ pounds boneless & skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (1 ounce) fajita seasoning packet

Vegetables

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped

Liquids and Dairy

• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 (10 ounce) can tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1½ cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese

Pasta

• 12 ounces penne pasta, cooked

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: Generously season the boneless and skinless chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and the fajita seasoning packet to ensure the flavors are well distributed.
2. Prepare Slow Cooker Base: Add the sliced red and green bell peppers along with the sliced onion to the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful bed for the chicken to cook on.
3. Add Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts right on top of the layered peppers and onions in the slow cooker.
4. Add Liquids and Cook: Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients, cover the slow cooker, and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours. This will allow the chicken to become tender and soak up all the fajita flavors.
5. Shred Chicken and Mix Cream: Once cooked, shred the chicken right in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir in the heavy cream to add richness and create a creamy fajita sauce.
6. Add Pasta and Cheese: Stir in the cooked penne pasta and shredded Mexican-blend cheese. Mix thoroughly until the cheese melts and everything is well coated in the creamy, fajita-inspired sauce.

Notes

• For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
• If you prefer fewer vegetables, you can reduce the amount of peppers or onion according to your taste.
• Use freshly cooked pasta for best results as it absorbs the sauce better.
• Feel free to add extra fajita seasoning or hot sauce if you enjoy a spicier dish.
• This recipe can be doubled to serve a larger crowd but adjust slow cooker size accordingly.

Keywords: Crockpot chicken fajita pasta, slow cooker chicken pasta, creamy fajita pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one pot chicken recipe