Cheesy Chicken & Chorizo Pasta Recipe | Easy Dinner Recipe
This Cheesy Chicken & Chorizo Pasta recipe is a quick and delicious dinner option that combines tender chicken, spicy chorizo, and creamy reduced-fat cheese for a comforting meal ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features a rich smoky flavor balanced with diced peppers and onions, all tossed together with pasta for a satisfying dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200g pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite)
Meat
- 150g sliced chorizo
- 450g chicken breasts
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 large red onion, finely diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- 180g reduced fat cheddar cheese
- 165g reduced-fat cream cheese
Spices & Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking (approximately 1-2 tbsp)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet, allow to rest briefly, then slice into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the finely diced red onion, diced red pepper, and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Brown Chorizo: Add the sliced chorizo to the skillet with the vegetables. Cook while breaking it up with a spoon until browned and fragrant, releasing its oils.
- Create Sauce: Stir in the reduced-fat cream cheese and allow it to melt into the pan mixture. Gradually add reserved pasta water, about 100ml, to loosen the sauce, stirring continuously until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet with the sauce. Sprinkle the reduced fat cheddar cheese on top and stir thoroughly until the cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly.
- Finish with Chicken: Return the sliced chicken pieces to the skillet. Stir the chicken through the pasta and sauce mixture to combine everything well. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty cheesy chicken and chorizo pasta!
Notes
- You can use any short pasta shape like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli for this recipe.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, consider adding chili flakes when sautéing the vegetables.
- Reserve some pasta water as it helps to create a creamy sauce without adding extra fat.
- For a richer flavor, use full-fat cheeses, but this recipe works well with reduced-fat options to keep it lighter.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove with a splash of water or milk.
Keywords: chicken pasta, chorizo pasta, cheesy pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, stovetop pasta, low-fat meal