Chicken fajita pasta bake
Enjoy the blend of Mexican spices and pasta comfort with our chicken fajita pasta bake. This dish combines the smoky flavour of a fajita seasoning mix with the richness of a classic pasta bake. Succulent chicken, sautéed sweet peppers, and a layer of golden cheese are all wrapped in a creamy béchamel sauce. Ideal for a family dinner or a weekend meal, this dish is sure to become the highlight of your dining table.
Ingredients
|
Penne pasta
|
500 g |
|---|---|
|
Salt
|
1 tbsp |
|
Red pepper
|
1 |
|
Green pepper
|
1 |
|
Yellow pepper
|
1 |
|
Onion
|
1 |
|
Taste-neutral oil
|
50 ml |
|
Chicken breasts
|
400 g |
|
Salt and freshly ground pepper
|
|
|
Paprika
|
1½ tsp |
|
Onion powder
|
1½ tsp |
|
Ground cumin
|
1½ tsp |
|
Ground coriander
|
1½ tsp |
|
Bechamel sauce with cheese
|
1 l |
|
Mozzarella, grated
|
100 g |
|
Arla® LactoFREE Cheddar Block, grated
|
100 g |
To serve
|
Broadleaved fresh parsley
|
|
|---|---|
|
Lime fruits
|
Instructions
FAQ: Questions about chicken fajita pasta bake
We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about chicken fajita pasta bake to make your cooking adventure smooth and delightful.
Can I make chicken fajita pasta bake in advance?
How should I store and reheat leftovers?
Can I freeze chicken fajita pasta bake?
Other recipes
Tips: Make a tasty chicken fajita pasta bake
With a few neat tips and tricks, we will help you cook a wonderful chicken fajita pasta bake. Discover the best ways to cook the pasta and cut the vegetables.
Al dente pasta
To ensure your pasta bake keeps its texture and soaks up the sauce's rich flavours, it is important to slightly undercook the penne. By doing so, the pasta will finish cooking in the oven, absorbing the béchamel and spices without becoming soggy. Watch the cooking time closely – it should be similar to boiling in water, but the pasta needs to remain firmer. Test a piece before baking to ensure it has that firm bite.
Uniformly sliced vegetables
Slice your sweet peppers and onion to the same size to ensure they cook evenly. This prevents any pieces from being under or overcooked. Soften your vegetables in the pan just enough to bring out their bright colours and keep their texture crisp.
Easy chicken fajita pasta bake
Pop a tasty chicken fajita pasta bake into the oven, and watch as it turns into a delightful creamy dish with flavourful spices. Our recipe uses a wonderful mix of typical Mexican spices and combines them with chicken, vegetables, and béchamel sauce. Top it off with a layer of golden cheese, and enjoy. It is so delectable that you can safely add this chicken fajita version to your pasta bake recipe collection.
Cheesy baked pasta with a Mexican twist
A big plate of cheesy baked pasta is a great way to embrace a comfort meal. But even familiar comfort food recipes may need a twist every once in a while. Our pasta bake adds a Mexican twist by adding warm, robust spices. Fajita is a common Mexican dish that combines tender chicken strips with veggies. As with classic fajita dishes, we use cumin, coriander, and paprika to give earthy, warm, and smoky nuances to the vegetables and chicken, while chopped parsley and zesty lime give the bake a refreshing finish.
You should also try our tasty pasta bake with chicken, tuna pasta bake, or a layered pasta bake with vegetables, depending on your preferences.
With colourful sweet peppers and onion
Sweet peppers and onion are classic ingredients in fajita dishes. Not only do they offer a colourful interplay, but they also add sweet and earthy flavours along with a bit of bite. When sautéed, the vegetables will caramelise slightly in the pan and release their natural sugars. While the onion and sweet peppers become tender, they still maintain a slight firmness that balances the tender pasta and chicken.
Discover a new family favourite
Chicken fajita pasta bake is excellent for entertaining friends and family. It will cook up nicely in the oven for about 15 minutes, and the warm aromas will fill the kitchen while you spend time with your loved ones. The mix of warm, smoky flavours and creamy béchamel sauce creates a thrilling dish sure to be a hit with the whole family. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar on top for an irresistible crust that turns golden brown in the oven. This is comfort food at its finest.
Experiment with the recipe
Explore fun and exciting ways to personalise your chicken fajita pasta bake. For a version with a more pronounced spicy flavour, marinate the chicken in the ground cumin, coriander, and paprika before cooking. Even a few hours of marination allow the spices to infuse the meat and make it even more tender. If you and your dinner guests enjoy a spicy punch, consider adding chilli flakes to the mix. The heat from the chilli provides a delightful contrast to the creamy béchamel sauce and gooey cheeses.
