South of the Border Chicken and Pasta Skillet

Bring bold flavors to your table with this one-pan wonder: South of the Border Chicken and Pasta Skillet. This vibrant, easy-to-make recipe combines tender bites of seasoned chicken, penne pasta, and a medley of sautéed onions and red bell peppers, all simmered in a zesty sauce made with chicken broth, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and aromatic spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Topped with gooey melted Mexican blend cheese and finished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, this dish is a fiesta of flavors that comes together in just 45 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this skillet meal delivers a satisfying combination of protein, veggies, and carbs in every bite, all while minimizing cleanup. If you're searching for a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner with a Tex-Mex twist, this recipe is your answer!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (10 ounces) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel)
• 2 cups dry penne pasta
• 1.5 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Add minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in chicken broth and canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (do not drain). Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Step 6

Add dry penne pasta to the skillet and stir to ensure it is submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.

Step 7

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine. Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top and cover for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Step 8

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2406.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2682.8

Total Fat 99.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 535.6mg	0%
Sodium 5339.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 227.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.4g	0%
Total Sugars 30.9g
Protein 219.5g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 1491.2mg	0%
Iron 15.1mg	0%
Potassium 3206.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.3%

Protein: 32.7%

Carbs: 34.0%