Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Here’s the thing. I had to make a decision.
We all know how much I hate decisions.
Honestly, I can’t make the littlest decision for the life of me. Big life decisions I am ok with. It’s the little decisions that really get me. Decisions like cookies or brownies, white background or black background for photos, this photo or that photo, fajita’s or enchiladas.
Yeah, I know. My life’s rough.
The other day I was not in the mood or the right frame of mind to be making any kind of decisions. I had little kids zooming around me in circles with their big Tonka trucks. Actually, one was a big yellow Tonka dump truck, another was a big red Tonka fire truck and the third was a pink Barbie convertible. I bet you can guess which one Asher was driving…
Sure it was cute and I love seeing kids have so much fun, but it was loud. The floor was actually rumbling. It sounded like real trucks were racing through the kitchen. My brain was having a hard time processing thought let alone trying to make decisions. So I kind of just said screw it. I am not deciding.
My brain wanted both, so I gave it both.
I mean really fajita’s and enchiladas, that’s a pretty good mexican combo right there.
You know what’s not the best combo in the world? Two feet of fresh snow, hiking and snow pants with holes on the bottom. Yes, I did say two feet and it is still coming down.
Crazy little me, and really guys I am little and crazy, not joking around here. I still went out for my daily hike. In the freshly fallen, deep, deep snow. Really this is nothing new to me, but this is the most snow we have gotten all year and I was huffing and puffing my way up that trail. Plus, it really doesn’t help that my snow pants are torn on the outside material, creating little pockets at the bottom of my pants. Therefore, the snow gets all stuffed in the pockets acting like five-pound ankle weights on each leg.
And you’re probably asking yourself why I did not stop and just remove the snow. Trust me I tried and not much came out. Plus, the snow just filled the pockets back up within in minutes. So wasting any time trying to remove the snow was just worthless.
But hey, I am crazy and I still plan on doing the same thing tomorrow morning. Hiking keeps me sane.
Oh, and it is how I come up with things like these gooey bars, these amazing sandwiches, these down right awesome fries and cupcakes.
Basically this pasta is everything you love about fajita’s AND everything you love about enchiladas! It’s the best of both worlds (totally sing the Hannah Montana theme song now). It’s light, fresh, filled with crisp peppers and spicy like fajita’s, but it is also saucy, creamy and cheesy like enchiladas.
It is flavorful and anything but boring.
Fajita Chicken and Enchilada Pasta
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 494 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta or other short cut pasta
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bit size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika or paprika
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large red bell pepers sliced
- 1/2 onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 2 1/2 cups cans enchilada sauce
- 1/2 lime juiced
- 1 1/4 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 avocado diced (optional)
- fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and boil pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl combine the chipotle chili powder, cumin, paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, crushed red peper, salt and pepper. whisk to combine and set aside. Place the chicken in a medium size bowl and toss with one tablespoon olive oil and half of the spice mixture (reserve the remaining half).
- Heat a large (very large) sided skillet over medium high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chicken and cook until browned all over, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet add a drizzle more of olive oil (only if needed), then add the red peppers and onions. Cook for about 5 minutes, just until the veggies start to soften. Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic. Cook for one to two minutes and add the enchilada sauce, lime juice and the reserved spice mixture. Stir back in the chicken and add the cheese. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese starts to melt into the sauce (the cheese does not need to be fully melted). Add the pasta and avocado (if using), toss well. Serve garnished with fresh cilantro.
Ok, now go make this!
How much enchilada sauce is used? It says 2 oz? But at the end says 10? Can’t wait to make it!
Hey Nancy! You need 2 (10 ounce) cans of enchilada sauce or roughly 2 1/2 cups of enchilada sauce. Recipe is all fixed Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Great recipe! Just found your site and I love it! Can’t wait to see what’s next!!
Thank you Debbie! I hope you love everything!!
I’m trying this recipe tonight! I’m so excited. Thank you for the recipe!
Thanks Courtney!! Hope you loved the pasta!!
Man this dish looks amazing! Sometimes the best decisions are the ones where we don’t decide right? This pasta looks fabulous. I’m looking forward to trying it! It is pinned and ready 🙂 Krista @ A Handful of Everything
Ya! Thanks for pinning! Hope you love this!!
This looks so good and what a great combination! I can’t wait to try this- I am pinning this… I also am a new follower on Bloglovin! Have a great day!
YAY!! Thanks so much for pinning and for following along on bloglovin!! Hope you love this dish!!
Lived in Colorado twice — love hiking in the snow! Unless it is knee high or more. That is WORK for a short person! It would be worth it to come back to this delicious wonder though! thanks so much for sharing on busy Monday!
A Pinch of Joy/
It has been a beautiful weekend! NO snow, just sun!! YA!
Thanks for reading Charlene!
On today’s Celebration Sundays I’ve collected an amazing group of 20 Cinco de Mayo recipes. This is one of them!! Don’t miss it!! Thanks, Nichi – The Mandatory Mooch http://mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/2013/04/celebration-sundays-cinco-de-mayo.html
Thanks so much!! So happy you like the recipe!!
Wow, what a clever and delicious combination! I know what I’m making the next time I can’t decide between pasta, enchiladas and fajitas!
Thank you, Martha. I hope you love this!
This is SO exciting! I can enjoy the flavors I love without needing any cheese! Dairy is off limits for me right now. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
There is actually cheese ing this, but you can totally leave it out! Hope you love it!
This looks delish with the veggies looking so fresh. Great pic, it makes me want to take a bite.
Consider yourself hugged,
http://simpleesue.com/try-one-new-recipe-a-week-bed-and-breakfast-cherry-crumb-coffee-cake/
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your recipe on Foodie Friends Friday
Of course and thanks so much for reading!
YUM! I’m going to make this for sure. Thanks for the recipe!
Found your link at Lyuba’s party.
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Thank you! Let me know if you make these. Hope you love them!
Fajitas, enchiladas? This will be tried for sure!
Thank you! Let me know what you think. Hope you love it!
Always looking for a nonItalian pasta dish. Love it.
Thank you!