{"id":"6fcf1e16-cc79-447c-916b-f58750007cd0","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/6fcf1e16-cc79-447c-916b-f58750007cd0","source_url":"https://www.saltysidedish.com/fajita-chicken-mac-and-cheese/","title":"Fajita Chicken Mac and Cheese","description":"This fajita chicken mac and cheese is chicken, peppers, and pasta cooked in one pan with a creamy cheese sauce. It comes together in about 40 minutes and is filling enough to be the whole dinner, no sides required.","servings":6,"servings_text":"6","prep_time":"PT15M","cook_time":"PT25M","image_url":"https://www.saltysidedish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/one-pan-fajita-chicken-pasta.jpg","ingredients":[{"text":"1 tablespoon vegetable oil","item":"vegetable oil","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"1 pound chicken breast","item":"chicken breast","quantity":1,"unit":"lb"},{"text":"1 package (1.27 ounces fajita seasoning, divided)","item":"1 package (1.27 ounces fajita seasoning, divided)","quantity":1,"unit":"package","preparation":"1.27 ounces fajita seasoning, divided"},{"text":"1/2 yellow onion (diced)","item":"yellow onion","quantity":0.5,"preparation":"diced"},{"text":"1 red bell pepper (chopped)","item":"red bell pepper","quantity":1,"preparation":"chopped"},{"text":"1 green bell pepper (chopped)","item":"green bell pepper","quantity":1,"preparation":"chopped"},{"text":"1 tablespoon minced garlic","item":"minced garlic","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"8 ounces rotini pasta (uncooked)","item":"rotini pasta","quantity":8,"unit":"oz","preparation":"uncooked"},{"text":"2 cups chicken broth","item":"chicken broth","quantity":2,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"2 1/2 cups milk","item":"milk","quantity":2.5,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"3 cups shredded colby jack cheese","item":"shredded colby jack cheese","quantity":3,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for serving)","item":"Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley","preparation":"optional, for serving"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Add oil to a large skillet or sauté pan (12 inch, with the deepest sides you have). Heat over medium high heat until hot. Add chicken and season with half of the fajita seasoning. Cook over medium high heat, turning halfway through, until cooked through and no longer pink. Remove from the pan and set aside."},{"number":2,"text":"In the same skillet, add diced onion, chopped red and green pepper, and minced garlic. Season veggies with remaining fajita seasoning. Heat over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender and onion is translucent, about 4 to 6 minutes."},{"number":3,"text":"Add uncooked pasta and chicken broth to the skillet and heat over medium high heat just until edges begin to boil. Reduce heat to low and carefully stir in milk. Continue to cook, stirring every minute or two so the bottom doesn't catch, until pasta is tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Chop the cooked chicken into 1 inch cubes and add the chicken and shredded cheese to the skillet. Stir well until combined and cheese is completely melted. Turn off heat."},{"number":4,"text":"Serve immediately topped with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, if using."}],"date_published":"2026-10-29T23:57:23.953251+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-29T23:57:23.953251+00:00"}