1-Creating Cheesy Fajita Pasta is straightforward and fun, starting with prepping your ingredients for smooth cooking. Begin by butterflying the 2 chicken breasts to make 4 even pieces, which helps them cook evenly and absorb flavors better.

2-Next, marinate the chicken in a bowl or zip lock bag with 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper for at least 10-15 minutes. This step boosts tenderness and taste, so don’t skip it.

3-Bring the chicken to room temperature before frying it over medium-high heat in a large pot until charred and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove it to rest and slice thinly, then set aside. In the same pot, add olive oil and fry the 3 small diced peppers and 1 medium finely diced red onion until softened.

4-Sprinkle in the 1.5 tablespoons fajita seasoning and cook for a couple of minutes to release the aromas. Stir in 1 heaped tablespoon tomato puree and fry for another minute to deepen the flavor.

5-Pour in 3 cups (750ml) chicken stock and 1 cup (250ml) room temperature double or heavy cream, stirring carefully to avoid curdling. Add the 10.5oz (300g) uncooked short cut pasta, mix well, and simmer on low-medium heat while stirring frequently until the pasta is al dente and the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes. If the sauce gets too thick, add more chicken stock as needed.

6-Turn off the heat, stir in 1 cup (100g) cheese and the sliced chicken, then adjust with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve right away with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime juice for a fresh finish. For more ideas on pasta dishes, check out our creamy chicken and bacon pasta recipe for another easy option.