Craving tacos and pasta? This Creamy Chicken Taco Pasta is incredibly flavorful! Enjoy tender chicken and noodle shells smothered in a savory, cheesy sauce with a hint of spice. It’s a quick one-pot meal with a flavor everyone will love.
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Are you looking for a new and exciting way to spice up your dinner routine? This chicken taco pasta recipe is the perfect solution! It combines the savory, familiar taste of tacos with the comforting, creamy deliciousness of pasta – all in a single pan.
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Say goodbye to the mountains of dirty dishes and hello to a delicious, no-fuss meal the whole family will love. This recipe is easy to follow and delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Check out ours Chicken recipes for easier dinner ideas!
Why you’ll love this One Skillet Chicken Taco Pasta
- These one skillet chicken taco noodles are a weeknight lifesaver.
- Easy to prepare: With just a few simple steps you can have a warm, hearty meal on the table in less than 30 minutes.
- Minimal cleanup: Everything is cooked in one pan, meaning you spend less time scrubbing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.
- Full of flavor: The combination of taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, and creamy cheese creates a rich and hearty sauce that coats every piece of pasta and chicken.
- Customizable: This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt it to your family’s preferences or the ingredients you have on hand.
- You will love ours too Taco pasta!
Ingredients and Substitutes
Scroll down for the recipe card for the full chicken taco pasta recipe.
Use thawed or fresh chicken breasts. Boneless, skinless chicken breast works well for this recipe. You can also use chicken legs. Cut the chicken into equal 1-inch pieces.
Butter helps cook the chicken and gives it a buttery flavor. Use oil if necessary.
Minced garlic provides a delicious garlicky flavor.
Season with taco seasoning. If you prefer, you can also use a homemade version.
Use a sugar-free Rotel brand or use fresh salsa.
Chicken broth and whole milk provide the creaminess.
We like to use whole wheat pasta shells for this recipe.
Grated cheese makes the sauce particularly creamy and thick! Use Mexican cheese, mozzarella, or sharp cheddar cheese.
Finally, garnish your chicken taco noodles with fresh herbs.
The perfect taste and texture
The flavor of these chicken taco noodles is a perfect blend of two favorite foods. The zesty flavor of the taco seasoning and tomatoes mingles with the smooth, creamy cheese sauce.
The chicken is tender and the noodle shells contain the rich sauce. The final dish is creamy, savory and a little spicy with a great mix of textures. It’s a quick and easy one pot meal the whole family will love!
How to do it
Step 1
First, place the chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 2
Once browned on all sides, add the other tablespoon of butter and garlic. Saute for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3
Then add the taco seasoning, tomatoes, broth and milk. Bring to a boil.
Step 4
Once boiling, add the pasta shells. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through.
Step 5
Turn the heat down to very low. Then add the grated cheese. Stir until the sauce is melted and thickened.
Step 6
Finally, top with fresh herbs if desired. Surcharge!
Expert Tips for Making the Best Chicken Taco Noodles
- Don’t cook the pasta for too long: Keep an eye on the pasta and remove it from the heat once it is cooked to your liking. The sauce will thicken as it stands, so it is best al dente.
- Adjust the heat: If you prefer a milder flavor, simply use diced tomatoes instead of Rotel. For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few splashes of your favorite hot sauce.
- Thicken the sauce: The sauce will naturally thicken as it cooks, but if you prefer an even thicker sauce, you can continue to simmer over low heat for a few more minutes. Just be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Replace dairy products: For an even richer sauce, you can substitute half the whole milk. We advise against using skimmed milk, otherwise the sauce will be too thin.
Creative flavor variations for your cheese chicken pasta
Protein: While the recipe calls for chicken breasts, you can easily substitute ground turkey, pork, chicken, or beef for a different texture and flavor.
Vegetables: Boost the nutritional value by adding a can of black beans, corn or diced peppers.
Topping: Top these chicken taco noodles with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced avocados, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. A Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Mexican blend would all work wonderfully.
Serve and store
Serve these chicken taco noodles hot straight from the pan. It’s a complete meal on its own, but also goes well with a simple meal green salad or a page of it Cornbread.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools, so you can add a splash of milk or stock when reheating to restore the creamy consistency. This dish can be easily reheated in the microwave or on the stove.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta shells. Please double check that your chicken broth and taco seasoning are also certified gluten-free.
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Cook the chicken first and then add all the ingredients except the cheese to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours. Finally, stir in the grated cheese until melted and creamy.
This dish is best enjoyed fresh. Freezing can sometimes change the texture of the creamy sauce, causing it to separate when thawed and reheated. However, if you freeze it, make sure to store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stove. Add a splash of milk or broth to help it come together again.
Equipment needed
wooden spoon: Mix sauce, pasta and chicken with a wooden spoon.
Large non-stick pan: This nonstick pan is big enough for this pasta chicken dinner!
You can enjoy it too
If you enjoyed this easy cheesy chicken taco pasta recipe, please leave a rating and comment! You can find further inspiration from me Facebook, InstagramAnd Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and other free resources, Sign in to receive my free newsletter! Check these out Dinner Recipes for healthier and easier family dinner ideas.
