Pin It The idea hit me on a Tuesday when my fridge held half a rotisserie chicken, a random can of black beans, and exactly half a box of penne. My roommate walked in, caught me staring at this odd collection, and said bet you can't make that taste like a burrito. The challenge was born right there between us.
I first made this during our weekly roommate dinners, back when cooking together was the highlight of our week. Now, whenever I catch that smell of smoked paprika hitting hot oil, Im right back in that tiny kitchen with wine glasses clinking and someone inevitably grabbing the wrong spoon.
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Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Cutting them into bite-sized pieces helps them cook evenly and get those crispy edges everyone fights over
- Smoked paprika and cumin: This spice blend is the soul of the dish, giving you that authentic Tex-Mex depth without marinating time
- Penne or rigatoni: These shapes catch the sauce in their ridges and hold onto the cheese better than smooth pasta
- Black beans and corn: They add sweetness and texture while stretching the recipe into something that feeds a crowd
- Shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack: The combination creates that perfect cheese pull, with cheddar bringing sharpness and Jack adding meltability
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Instructions
- Season and crisp the chicken:
- Toss your chicken pieces with all the spices until theyre evenly coated. Heat that olive oil until it shimmers, then add chicken in a single layer, letting it get golden and crunchy on all sides.
- Build the flavor base:
- In the same pan, sauté your onions and peppers until softened. Add garlic and let it become fragrant, then pour in the tomatoes, beans, and corn.
- Cook the pasta right in the sauce:
- Pour in the broth, bring it to a simmer, then add your uncooked pasta. Cover and let everything cook together, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks.
- Melt and combine:
- Stir in half the cheese until it creates a creamy sauce, return the chicken to the pan, then top with remaining cheese and let it melt into a golden blanket.
Pin It This recipe has become my go-to for those nights when friends call and say were in the neighborhood. Something about eating burrito flavors in pasta form makes people relax and stay longer, forks scraping against bowls and conversations drifting from work to dreams to whatever else comes up.
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Making It Your Own
Play with the spice levels based on who youre cooking for. Ive made mild versions for my heat-averse aunt and kicked-up versions with jalapeños for friends who treat hot sauce like a beverage.
Serving Suggestions
The garnishes arent just pretty, theyre essential. A squeeze of lime brightens everything, sour cream adds the perfect cooling contrast, and fresh cilantro makes it taste alive rather than heavy.
Make-Ahead Magic
You can prep all your ingredients ahead and have dinner ready in under 15 minutes. The recipe also doubles beautifully for meal prep, though the pasta might need a splash of water when reheating.
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting
- Keep a lime handy, even if you think you wont need it
- Let the pan sit undisturbed for a minute at the end to let everything settle
Pin It Theres something joyful about mashing up comfort foods into something new. This pasta has fed tired friends, celebrated small victories, and turned random Tuesday nights into something worth remembering.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I make this dish spicier?
Absolutely. Add chopped jalapeños with the bell peppers, increase the chili powder in the chicken seasoning, or swap some cheddar for pepper jack cheese. A splash of extra hot sauce also amps up the heat level to your preference.
- → What pasta shapes work best?
Penne and rigatoni are ideal because their tubes capture the cheesy sauce and small ingredients. Fusilli, macaroni, or shell pasta also work well. Avoid long strands like spaghetti as they don't hold chunky toppings as effectively.
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
You can season and cut the chicken up to a day in advance, storing it in the refrigerator. The vegetables can also be chopped ahead. For best results, cook the dish fresh as pasta continues absorbing liquid and may become mushy when reheated.
- → How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce. The microwave works but may dry out the pasta slightly.
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Yes, using shredded rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver. Skip the chicken seasoning and cooking steps, adding the shredded meat when you return the chicken to the pan in step 6. This reduces total cooking time to about 25 minutes.
- → Is this suitable for meal prep?
This dish portions well for meal prep. Divide into individual containers and refrigerate. The flavors often improve after a day as the spices meld. Consider packing garnishes like sour cream and cilantro separately to maintain freshness.
