Southwest Chicken Alfredo with Golden Chicken and Cheddar Cream Sauce
By Liam Carter
Prep
5 min
Cook
25 min
Total
30 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Searing the honey-glazed chicken in oil before returning it to the recipe helps it develop a golden exterior. Resting the penne for a few minutes before serving helps it soak up cream sauce. Other ingredients in the Southwest Chicken Alfredo recipe include cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and other hot spices that add flavor.
The chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne spice blend is divided to season the chicken and the tomato sauce cooked in a sauté pan. Chopped onions and garlic sautéed in butter form a base for the tomato sauce, which also contains chopped tomatoes, heavy cream, and shredded cheddar cheese to toss with penne pasta. Honey is drizzled over the chicken for a sweet flavor.
Penne should be cooked just to al dente because it will cook and absorb some sauce during stir-frying. Test for doneness and doneness of chicken before removing it. Be sure cream sauce is evenly distributed and simmering slightly before adding cheese. Not letting the dish stand after cooking may lead to uneven coating of pasta with cream sauce.
Serve the pasta with chopped fresh cilantro and garlic bread on the side, as suggested in the article. When serving leftover pasta, allow it to cool completely, then refrigerate in a covered container. When reheating leftover pasta, use a microwave or stovetop on low heat. Turn pasta frequently to ensure even reheating.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Pan-fried honey-coated chicken builds a golden exterior. The same pan is used again to let the chicken finish in the seasoned cream sauce.
- Adding Southwest seasoning to the chicken mixture for the chicken and to the cream and cheddar sauce mixture for the tomatoes.
- Cooking penne al dente helps it hold its shape when combined with sauce at the end of cooking.
- Butter, onion, and garlic are cooked in the same pan after the chicken and then added to chicken in the same pan, only one pan, first to make a sauce and later with cream.
- Stirring in heavy cream with tomatoes and other ingredients helps create a cohesive sauce. Cheddar cheese and pasta are mixed into the sauce.
- Let the finished penne sit off heat for a few minutes before serving to help the sauce stick to it. Serve with cilantro as a garnish.
Ingredients
- •½ lb penne pasta
- •1 lb chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch strips)
- •1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- •1 cup heavy cream
- •1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- •1 cup onion (chopped)
- •4 garlic cloves (minced)
- •1 tbsp honey
- •1 tbsp olive oil
- •1 tbsp butter
- •2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
- •1 ½ tsp chili powder
- •½ tsp cumin
- •½ tsp oregano
- •1 tsp paprika
- •¼ tsp black pepper
- •½ tsp salt
- •⅛ tsp cayenne
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, mix the Southwest seasoning blend together.
- 2
Add the cut chicken to a large bowl, drizzle with honey, and add half of the seasoning blend. Toss to combine.
- 3
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 4
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- 5
Add the seasoned chicken and cook for a few minutes on each side until cooked through and nicely golden. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- 6
Add the diced onion and butter to the same skillet over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes until tender.
- 7
Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- 8
Add the diced tomatoes and remaining seasoning blend, then bring to a low simmer.
- 9
Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring until fully incorporated. Bring to a nice simmer.
- 10
Add the chicken back to the skillet. Sprinkle in the cheddar cheese and stir to combine.
- 11
Add the cooked penne to the sauce and toss to combine. Remove the pasta from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes.
- 12
Stir the pasta again to fully coat it in sauce, then sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
1092
Protein
57g
Fat
48g
Carbs
121g
Reviews
Pin this recipe
Tap an image to save it to Pinterest.
