This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Chicken Enchilada Pasta is one of our favorite pasta dishes because it is packed with flavor, easy to make, and so filling. It is a perfect chicken pasta dish that the entire family will enjoy without any complaints from picky eaters.
Pasta is everyone’s comfort go-to food of choice. This chicken pasta recipe is packed with bold Mexican flavors and will certainly be a winner. Made with ground chicken to load it up with protein and make it into a complete meal that can be served on its own for dinner. A one-pot meal that’s convenient and easy to make. The ground chicken can easily be swapped with a much leaner option by using lean ground turkey. Serve this chicken enchilada pasta any day of the week for the family to enjoy.
Why you will love this chicken pasta
- Family-friendly: Picky eaters will not mind this pasta dish. A healthy pasta recipe that everyone will be able to enjoy.
- Easy to make: All you will need is a handful of ingredients for a Hassle-free meal.
- One-pot meal: This chicken pasta made in one pot makes for a complete meal and does not need to be served with anything else. A great option for when you don’t have that much time on your hands to come up with dinner for the family.
- So tasty: The flavor of this Mexican chicken pasta is so good it will be one of your weekly dinner options on rotation. It is so good one serving will not be enough.
Ingredients you will need to make this Mexican pasta
- Pasta of choice: use any pasta you have on hand. It doesn’t have to be a specific kind or shape, For a healthier option, you may use lentil or chickpea pasta.
- Oil: We used olive oil. Avocado oil is also a great option.
- Onion: cooking onion works, other onions you have on hand will be fine as well, like white sweet onions or purple onions.
- Garlic cloves: for the best flavor, use fresh garlic. If in a pinch and you do not have fresh garlic you may use one tablespoon of garlic powder.
- Ground chicken: try to find lean ground chicken. Some tend to have high-fat content. You may also use lean ground turkey for a healthier option.
- Enchilada sauce: This is found at most grocery stores. Use mild if needed.
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Shredded cheese: we used lite. Any cheese of your choice like cheddar or Mexican blend.
- Optional toppings: green onions, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, etc
How to make this chicken pasta
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions to al-dente. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken and cook while mincing the meat with a wooden spoon. Once the meat is no longer pink, stir in the enchilada sauce.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, then season to your taste.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and cheese and continue to cook for a couple of minutes, until heated and the cheese is melted.
- Add toppings of choice and enjoy!
Recipe notes and tips
- Cook Pasta al dente. Do not overcook the pasta because the pasta will continue to cook even after you remove it from the boiling water.
- You can use mild or hot enchilada sauce depending on how spicy you would like to serve this chicken enchilada pasta.
- Sneak in some veggies if you would like, something like green peas or chopped zucchini.
- If you would rather not use ground chicken, you can switch it up with ground beef or ground turkey.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Chicken is one of the many proteins that pairs so well with pasta to make it a complete meal. Italians may not be too happy with us for all the pasta dishes that are being created but to add some protein to a pasta meal, chicken is a great option.
You can certainly use milk instead of cream in pasta for a healthier option. Keep in mind though that if you are using milk instead of cream the pasta dish will not have that thick and creamy consistency. To fix this, you may want to use a combination of milk and cream cheese or a combination of whole milk mixed in with some flour or cornstarch.
If your pasta is more on the watery side, you can fix it easily. You may want to consider adding some flour or cornstarch. You will need to make a slurry first in a small cup before pouring it into the pasta to prevent clumps. In a cup, mix a small amount of flour or cornstarch with either a small amount of milk or water and then pour it over the pasta. Give it a good toss until it thickens.
More pasta recipes you may like
- Creamy Chicken and Pasta Recipe
- Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Spinach and Mushroom Pasta
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Creamy Salmon Pasta
- Easy Cheeseburger Pasta
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- Baked Feta Pasta with Shrimp
If you try a recipe and you like it, leave us some feedback in the comment section below, and don’t forget to rate it! We would love it if you shared it with friends and family.
Finally, please use our hashtag #healthyfitnessmeals on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured! FOLLOW Healthy Fitness Meals on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER for all of our latest blog posts and recipes.
Chicken Enchilada Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta of choice, may use gluten-free
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground chicken, lean
- 2 cups enchilada sauce
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheese, lite
- Optional toppings: green onions, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, etc
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions to al-dente. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken and cook while mincing the meat with a wooden spoon.
- Once the meat is no longer pink, stir in the enchilada sauce. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, then season to your taste.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and cheese and continue to cook for a couple of minutes, until heated and the cheese is melted.
- Add toppings of choice and enjoy!
Notes
- Serving size: one bowl- 2 cups
- Use lean ground chicken. You may also use ground turkey or lean ground beef.
- Any oil of choice will work.
- Use any oil you have on hand, we used olive oil, but avocado oil will also be fine to use.
- We used lite-cheese, but any cheese of your choice will work.
- Enchilada sauce can be found at most grocery stores.
- Pasta of your choice. You may use lentil or chickpea pasta.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
