Go Back
Creamy Fajita Chicken Mac and Cheese

Creamy Fajita Chicken Mac and Cheese

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:
  • 500 g chicken breast diced
  • 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
For the Vegetables:
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 3 bell peppers finely diced
  • 3 teaspoons garlic purée or 3 cloves minced
For the Pasta:
  • 300 g pasta uncooked
  • 400 ml hot chicken stock
  • 600 ml warm milk
  • 1 teaspoon mustard optional
For the Cheese:
  • 120 g cheese cheddar and mozzarella blend
For Seasoning:
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Chili flakes for garnish

Method
 

Step 1: Grab your chicken breast and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
  1. Sprinkle the chicken seasoning and fajita seasoning all over the chicken pieces.
  2. Use your hands to rub the seasonings in so every piece is coated nicely.
Step 2: Heat a large pan over medium-high heat.
  1. Add your seasoned chicken and let it cook for about 6 to 8 minutes.
  2. You want it golden brown on the outside and cooked all the way through.
Step 3: Once the chicken is done, take it out of the pan and put it on a plate.
  1. Don't clean the pan because all those browned bits are flavor gold.
  2. You'll use them to make the sauce even better.
Step 4: Toss your diced onion and bell peppers into that same pan.
  1. Cook them for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. They should get soft and the peppers should start to develop some color on the edges.
Step 5: Add the garlic purée and stir it around for just 30 seconds.
  1. Garlic cooks super fast and you don't want it to burn.
  2. As soon as it smells amazing, move on to the next step.
Step 6: Pour your uncooked pasta right into the pan with the vegetables.
  1. Stir everything together so the pasta gets coated in all those delicious vegetable juices.
  2. This helps the pasta pick up flavor as it cooks.
Step 7: Pour in the hot chicken stock and crank the heat up to bring it to a boil.
  1. Once it's bubbling, add the warm milk and give everything a good stir.
  2. Lower the heat to medium and let it simmer gently.
Step 8: Keep stirring occasionally while the pasta cooks.
  1. This usually takes about 12 to 15 minutes depending on what pasta shape you used.
  2. The sauce will thicken up as the pasta releases its starch.
Step 9: When the pasta is tender and the sauce is nice and creamy, stir in the mustard if you're using it.
  1. Add your cheese and stir until it melts completely into the sauce.
  2. The sauce should be thick, glossy, and coat the back of a spoon.
Step 10: Add your cooked chicken back into the pan and mix everything together.
  1. Make sure every piece of chicken and pasta is covered in that creamy cheese sauce.
  2. Taste it and add salt and pepper if needed.