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Rotel Chicken Pasta Cheese

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Chicken, pasta, peppers, and creamy cheeses come together for a satisfying, flavorful comfort meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 680 grams boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 15 milliliters olive oil
  • 15 to 30 milliliters taco seasoning
  • 2.5 milliliters Cajun seasoning (optional)
  • 15 milliliters neutral oil for sautéing chicken
  • 28 grams butter, divided (for cooking chicken and vegetables)
  • 450 grams rotini pasta, or preferred variety
  • 15 milliliters chicken-flavored bouillon granules for pasta water
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 5 milliliters garlic powder
  • 5 milliliters onion powder
  • 5 milliliters smoked paprika
  • 284 grams canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
  • 355 milliliters heavy cream
  • 340 grams processed cheese, cubed (such as Velveeta)
  • 115 grams shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 115 grams shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 5 milliliters additional taco seasoning, to taste

Instructions

  1. Toss chicken pieces with olive oil, taco seasoning, and optional Cajun seasoning in a bowl to ensure even coating.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt half the butter with the neutral cooking oil. Add seasoned chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add chicken-flavored bouillon, then stir in rotini. Cook until al dente according to package timing. Drain and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and add diced bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Sauté for 10 minutes, stirring until softened.
  5. Stir in canned diced tomatoes with green chilies. Pour in heavy cream and warm through. Gradually add cubed processed cheese, stirring until melted and smooth, then incorporate pepper jack and cheddar until thoroughly blended.
  6. Fold cooked rotini into the sauce, stirring to coat evenly. Add reserved chicken and mix until fully combined. Adjust seasoning with extra taco seasoning as desired.
  7. Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped herbs or extra cheese as preferred.

Notes

For optimal texture, do not overcook the pasta before combining it with the sauce; it will continue to absorb flavor after mixing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.delicetreats.com/rotel-chicken-pasta-cheese/