Southwest Chicken Alfredo is an easy, creamy and delicious pasta recipe with spicy chicken, vegetables, homemade alfredo sauce and cavatappi pasta. It's the perfect quick dinner idea for busy weeknights since it's done in just 30 minutes!
Servings : 6
Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 20 minutesmins
Total Time 30 minutesmins
Ingredients
FOR THE PASTA AND CHICKEN
1package(1 pound) Cavatappi Pasta
1pound(about 3 to 4 pieces) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2teaspoonsground cumin
1teaspooncayenne pepper, or to taste
1/2teaspoonchili powder, or to taste
2tablespoonsolive oil, divided
2tablespoonsbutter, divided
1green bell pepper, diced
1red bell pepper, diced
1small yellow onion, diced
3clovesgarlic, minced
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
FOR THE ALFREDO SAUCE
3tablespoonsbutter
1tablespoonall-purpose flour
1 1/2cupshalf-and-half
1/2cupgrated parmesan cheese
1avocado, diced, for garnish
chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions.
In the meantime, prepare the chicken.
In a ziploc bag, combine ground cumin, cayenne pepper and chili powder.
Add the cubed chicken pieces to the ziploc bag; close it and shake it around until all chicken pieces are coated.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until chicken is browned and thoroughly cooked.
Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter; add diced peppers, onions and garlic.
Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until vegetables are tender, stirring frequently.
Remove vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
PREPARE THE ALFREDO SAUCE
Add butter to the skillet and melt over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour; continue to whisk until mixture is smooth.
Slowly whisk in the half-and-half into the sauce until completely incorporated.
Stir the Parmesan cheese into the sauce, whisking continually.
Bring the sauce to a simmer; cook, stirring regularly, until the sauce has thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Add chicken and vegetables to the sauce; stir and continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until mixture is bubbly and hot.
Add drained pasta to the chicken mixture and toss to combine.
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.