One pot chicken fajita pasta is what you make when your fridge says “meh,” but your stomach says “do better.” You’re solo, you’re hungry, and the last thing you want is a pile of dishes. This recipe has your back—spicy, creamy, cheesy, and fast, all in one pan. Bonus? You don’t have to “share” anything (except maybe with tomorrow’s lunch box). Let’s fix that empty plate problem.
Table of Contents
Why This One-Pot Wonder Works
Weeknight sanity saver (with fajita flair)
You know the feeling. You’re wiped, the takeout app is judging you, and your brain’s buffering. That’s when one pot chicken fajita pasta becomes your go-to move. It’s smoky, cheesy, and full of fajita flavor — without the pile of dishes.
Cooking everything in one pot means you’re not juggling burners or babysitting saucepans. It’s the stovetop version of setting-it-and-forgetting-it, with actual flavor payoff. If you’re into cozy one-pan comfort, this One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta also hits the spot without the stress.
The solo cook’s secret weapon
Pasta dishes are usually for four. But this one pot chicken fajita pasta was made with the solo cook in mind. It’s just enough to satisfy without drowning in leftovers or wasting a whole box of pasta.
Using one chicken breast, half a bell pepper, and a handful of pantry ingredients, this fajita pasta one pot dinner comes together in 30 minutes flat. Perfect when you’re tired, hungry, and cooking for one.
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One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
Description
Creamy, bold, and quick—this one pot chicken fajita pasta is solo dinner magic with zero cleanup stress.
Ingredients
1 small chicken breast (5 oz)
½ bell pepper, sliced
¼ small onion, sliced
1 tsp fajita seasoning
½ cup dry pasta
1 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp cream
¼ cup shredded cheese
1 tsp olive oil
Instructions
1. Heat oil in a skillet and sear chicken with seasoning.
2. Remove chicken. Add peppers and onion. Sauté until soft.
3. Add pasta and broth. Simmer until pasta is cooked.
4. Stir in cream and return chicken.
5. Add cheese and stir until creamy.
Notes
- Use oat milk + cornstarch to make it dairy-free.
- Swap chicken with tofu or mushrooms for vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: one pot chicken fajita pasta, chicken pasta for one, creamy fajita pasta
How to Make One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Quick Ingredients List (built for one hungry human)
Here’s what you need to make one hearty bowl of one pot chicken fajita pasta. It’s pantry-friendly, fast, and flexible:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast (boneless, skinless) | 1 small (about 5 oz) |
| Bell pepper (any color) | ½, sliced |
| Onion | ¼ small, sliced |
| Fajita seasoning | 1 tsp (or to taste) |
| Uncooked short pasta (penne or rotini) | ½ cup |
| Chicken broth | 1 cup |
| Heavy cream or half & half | 2 tbsp |
| Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend) | ¼ cup |
| Olive oil | 1 tsp |
Step-by-step: Done in under 30 minutes
1. Sear the chicken
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Slice your chicken into strips, season with half the fajita seasoning, and toss it into the hot pan. Sear until golden (about 4–5 minutes), then remove and set aside.
2. Sauté your veggies
In the same skillet, toss in the bell peppers and onions. Sprinkle with the rest of the seasoning. Sauté until soft and slightly charred—fajita-style.
3. Add pasta + broth
Dump in the dry pasta and pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Let it bubble gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally until the pasta is cooked and most of the broth is absorbed (10–12 minutes).
4. Stir in the cream + chicken
Return the chicken to the pan. Add cream and stir to coat everything. Let it simmer a few more minutes until thick and dreamy.
5. Finish with cheese
Turn off the heat. Sprinkle cheese on top and stir until melted. That’s it—fajita pasta in one pan, no mess, no sad leftovers.
Before serving, sneak one more look at that creamy skillet of one pot chicken fajita pasta and smile — you made it, and you only used one pan.
In the mood for another one-pan comfort meal? This One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is another solo-friendly favorite — cheesy, satisfying, and just as easy as this one pot chicken fajita pasta.
Make It Yours — Customizing One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
How to make it creamy (without going heavy)
Creamy doesn’t have to mean coma-inducing. For this solo recipe, you only need 2 tablespoons of cream—just enough to bring richness without turning it into a calorie bomb. Let it simmer a few extra minutes to thicken naturally instead of dumping in extra cheese or butter.
Want a dairy-free version? Swap in unsweetened oat milk + 1 tsp cornstarch for a silky texture that still clings to the pasta. Or if you’re starting with store-bought shortcuts, this One Pot Alfredo Pasta with Jar Sauce shows how creamy can still mean easy.
Pro tip: Always add dairy after simmering your pasta. Too much heat? That’s when things get grainy.
Portion check: How much chicken for fajitas per person?
Quick answer: 4–6 ounces of cooked chicken is just right for one person. That’s roughly one small chicken breast.
In fajita-style dishes, where meat is sliced and mixed with veggies and carbs, you don’t need a massive portion. You want balance—enough protein to fill you up, but not so much it crowds out the peppers and pasta.
Solo cooking? Look for packs of individually wrapped frozen chicken breasts or buy one fresh and slice it into portions before freezing. That’s what I do—future me always says thanks.
Add-ins for flavor without fuss
Want to punch things up? Try these easy swaps:
- Add a squeeze of lime before serving = instant brightness
- Sprinkle chili flakes for heat without changing the base
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack = spicy melt bonus
- Use rotisserie chicken if you don’t feel like cooking meat
You can even go meatless by replacing chicken with mushrooms or tofu. Just season like you would the chicken, and sauté until browned.
FAQ
What to serve with chicken fajita pasta?
Honestly, this dish is already a full meal. But if you’re feeling fancy (or just extra hungry), pair it with:
A small green salad with lime vinaigrette for freshness
Roasted corn or simple sautéed zucchini
Tortilla chips + salsa if you’re skipping the pasta carbs next time
It’s already got protein, veggies, and carbs—anything else is just a bonus.
What side dishes go with chicken fajitas?
Traditional sides for chicken fajitas (if you go that route instead of pasta) include:
Cilantro-lime rice
Refried or black beans
Sautéed bell peppers and onions
Warm tortillas
But for this pasta version? Keep it simple—you’re already doing the fajita thing in one pot.
How much chicken for chicken fajitas per person?
Simple rule: 4 to 6 oz of chicken per person.
That’s about one small breast or two small thighs, sliced. In fajita pasta, that amount gives you flavor and protein without overpowering the creamy sauce and veggies. You don’t need a pile of meat—just enough to build a balanced, satisfying plate.
How to make creamy chicken fajita pasta?
Here’s the quick formula:
Sauté seasoned chicken and fajita veggies. Add uncooked pasta + broth. Simmer until pasta is tender. Stir in cream + cheese. Done.
It’s creamy without being too heavy. Just 2 tablespoons of cream and ¼ cup cheese do the trick. No need for butter, flour, or roux.
Cream, broth, pasta, chicken, cheese — that’s all you need for creamy one pot chicken fajita pasta.
Final Bite
One pot chicken fajita pasta is your weeknight savior when time, energy, and clean dishes are all in short supply. It’s bold, saucy, and done in under 30 minutes—all with stuff you probably already have.
You don’t need to cook big to eat big on flavor. One pot. One burner. One happy belly. Want more solo-friendly recipes like this one pot chicken fajita pasta? Follow me on Pinterest for easy, bold meals made just for one.
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