Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe ( Gluten-Free)
GLUTEN-FREE II DAIRY FREE II SOY FREE II FISH FREE II EGG FREE II NUT FREE II SESAME FREE II SHELLFISH FREE
This chicken fajita pasta is a simple and speedy option for busy weeknights. It's ready in just 25 minutes. With everything cooked in one pot, tidying up afterwards is quick and easy. It’s a dish the whole family will enjoy.
This chicken fajita pasta recipe features tender gluten-free pasta, juicy chicken strips, caramelised onions, peppers, and a bold fajita seasoning. Best of all, it’s gluten-free! It’s such a delicious twist on chicken fajitas, but with pasta added, I mean, who doesn’t love carbs! See my recommendations on how to pimp up this pasta below. I hope you enjoy this yummy chicken fajita pasta recipe.
Notes on ingredients for chicken fajita pasta
Chicken
For this yummy chicken fajita pasta recipe I used chicken breasts, cutting them into strips. You could also use boneless chicken thighs or even turkey or beef strips if you prefer.
Tomatoes
I used sweet cherry tomatoes for this chicken fajita pasta recipe, but you can use any type of tomatoes as long as they are nice and red, which indicates they will be sweeter. I recommend avoiding tinned tomatoes, as they tend to taste very acidic. However, if you do choose to use tinned tomatoes, follow my recipe for the best results. The flavour of tinned tomatoes often needs to be balanced with sugar and other seasonings. Use this recipe for smokey and spicy tomato sauce. I do think this recipe tastes better with fresh tomatoes over tinned, but it’s your call.
Peppers/Vegetables
I used mixed peppers, courgettes and onion for this chicken fajita pasta recipe .Other great vegetable choices:
Mushrooms
Asparagus
Chopped broccoli
Spinach
Fajita seasoning
Fajita seasoning adds a burst of flavor to meats and vegetables with minimal effort. The flavours are warm, earthy, savoury, herbaceous, and slightly smoky with a bold kick. I regularly use fajita spice on chicken or fish and grill; its such a delicious spice to ramp up an otherwise boring meal.
Fajita seasoning is a blend of spices that typically includes smoked paprika, chilli powder, cumin, coriander seed, garlic and onion powder, cayenne pepper, tomato powder, red pepper powder, nutmeg, oregano and black pepper. Some fajita spice blends are different with the addition of milk powder, yeast extract, and gluten-containing ingredients. Please read the label for allergens or ingredients you cannot consume.
I was caught out once and couldn’t use the fajita spice as it contained yeast extract ( used as a cheap flavour enhancer) and milk! It really annoys me why companies need to add milk powder to food where there’s just no need for it!!
Pasta
There are so many fantastic brands of pasta you can buy these days. You can find pasta made with chickpeas, peas, orange lentils, buckwheat, rice, and the list goes on. However, here are some of my favourites. Over the years, I have tried many different types of pasta, and I have found that the ones I recommend hold their shape really well and don’t become mushy or break apart like some other brands. Below are my reliable tips for cooking gluten-free pasta.
Ingredients
Tips to make the best chicken fajita pasta!
How to cook the best gluten-free pasta
Always ensure you use lots of salted water; I recommend 4 times the amount of pasta.
Always add pasta to boiling water only. This ensures that the pasta doesn’t stick and go mushy unless you want a pasta soup.
Add a dash of oil to the water. Italians might not do this, which is fine because I’m not Italian, lol!! I find it helps ensure the pasta doesn’t stick.
Always stir your pasta—not like you're making porridge, but at least three or four times while it’s cooking.
Gluten-free pasta requires little cooking; some varieties only need 4 to 5 minutes. Always read the instructions on the package carefully. I prefer to undercook the pasta by a couple of minutes, especially when I plan to add it to a recipe, such as this chicken fajita pasta recipe. Undercooking is important because the pasta will continue to cook in the saucepan with the sauce. This way, you can avoid it becoming mushy or breaking apart, which can happen if it isn't cooked al dente.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and immediately refresh it with cold water ( pour cold water over the pasta). This stops the pasta from cooking further, resulting in, yes, you guessed it, soft, limp, mushy pasta.
When I think the pasta is nearly cooked, I always taste it before draining it. This ensures that it isn’t completely raw or undercooked. You’re looking for pasta that has a bit of firmness, so it should still be slightly hard, but not so hard that it’s crunchy.
What else could I add to this chicken fajita pasta to pimp it up?
Add black beans to the chicken fajita pasta for extra protein.
Add a dollop of sour cream; if you follow a dairy-free diet, use a dollop of vegan yoghurt mixed with lemon juice instead.
Add grated cheese to the pasta. I love Cathedral City extra mature cheddar; it’s vegan and really tasty for those who cannot have dairy.
Add jalapenos to this chicken fajita pasta recipe.
Add some salsa and a side salad.
Faq’s
Can I use store-bought fajita seasoning?
Yes, that's what I did, but please check the ingredients for any allergens like milk powder, gluten-containing ingredients, or yeast extract. Also, note that fajita seasoning sometimes has added salt, so you won't need to add as much salt to the chicken fajita pasta.
How do I make it less spicy?
Reduce the chilli powder and skip the jalapeños as an add on.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, it is actually dairy-free but check your fajita seasoning for dairy-free ingredients. If you are pimping up your pasta please make sure that the additions like cheese and sour cream are also dairy-free.
What type of pasta works best for this?
For this chicken fajita pasta recipe penne, fusilli, or farfalle are great choices as their shape holds the sauce well.
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?
Yes, you can swap chicken for prawns, beef, or plant-based alternatives like tofu or tempeh.
Can you reheat this chicken fajita pasta recipe?
Definitely pop it in the microwave for a few minutes. Alternatively, you could pop it in an ovenproof dish, cover it with foil, and heat it in the oven for 15 minutes.
Can you freeze chicken fajita pasta?
I have frozen cooked pasta before, left it to thaw, and reheated it in the microwave or oven, topping it with lots of cheese, and it tasted great.
Is chicken fajita pasta healthy?
Yes, it can be a healthy option as long as you don’t add a kilo of cheese and sour cream. This pasta contains plenty of vegetables and chicken, which is high in protein, making it a well-balanced meal. Serving it with a side salad adds even more nutritional value.
Other recipes you might like
Prawn, Lemon, Chilli and Coriander Spaghetti
Prawn Pasta Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Makes 4 portions - 25 mins prep time
Step by Step
Recipe
300 g gluten-free pasta
50 ml olive oil
1 medium onion sliced
1 punnet cherry tomatoes sliced in quarters
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp sweet smoked paprika
100 ml hot water ( or use pasta water)
1 red/green/yellow/orange pepper
1 courgette
4 chicken breasts cut into strips
4 tsp fajita spice blend
Method
Star by cooking the pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
Peel the onion and cut the onion in half, then slice each half of the onion.
In a hot saucepan, add a little oil, followed by the onion and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant. Then, add the tomatoes and smoked paprika, stirring to cook the spices. Next, pour in hot water and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes.
Once the sauce is cooked, pour into another dish and set aside.
In the same saucepan, heat the rest of the oil on high and cook the chicken, onions, peppers, and courgettes until the chicken is cooked. This should take approximately 15 minutes.
Then add the tomato sauce and pasta and mix till fully combined and warmed through.
Serve this with either my pimped up recommendations ( above) or just as it is.
ENJOY!
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