Healthy Southwest Chicken Pasta
Here’s healthy one pot Southwest Chicken Pasta for a quick and delicious dinner! Packed with lean chicken, black beans, corn, and a rich sauce, this flavorful Southwest pasta recipe is ready in just 45 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this high-protein, low-fat meal is a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 large (~570 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil divided
- 1 medium (150 g) onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 tsp. taco seasoning adjust to taste
- 2 medium (450 g) bell peppers, diced
- 2 large (300 g) Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups water you may need more or less
- 2 cups (200 g) ziti or penne pasta
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) black beans, drained and rinsed (15 oz can)
- 1 cup (170 g) frozen corn
- 1 cup (60 g) shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 1 ½ Tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the diced chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 ½ Tbsp. olive oil to the same pan.
- Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the diced bell peppers and tomatoes. Cook for another 3 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan, season with salt, pepper, and taco seasoning. Stir well.
- Pour in the chicken broth and 1 ½ cups of water.
- Add the ziti or penne pasta and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente or almost tender.
- Add a little more water if the liquid is absorbed too quickly.
- Stir in the black beans and frozen corn. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Cover the pan and let it sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
How Many Calories in Healthy Southwest Chicken Pasta?
| Calories (1 serve, 12oz/335g): 468 kcal | Calories (per 100g): 140 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein: 43.4 g | Protein: 13.0 g |
| Carbohydrates: 48.6 g | Carbohydrates: 14.5 g |
| Fat: 11.6 g | Fat: 3.5 g |