Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

This creamy Chicken Chicken Fajita Pasta is one of those flavorful comfort food one pot meals that cooks fast in the Instant Pot, making it the perfect meal for your busy family. Serve this chicken fajita dish for dinner tonight!

If you love pasta and food with a southwestern flair, this chicken fajita pasta is going to become one of those meals that your family loves. You’ll add this to your regular meal rotation because it’s easy and SO flavorful. 

And just like my 5 ingredient Chicken Fajita Casserole, this Chicken Fajita Foil Packs, and Chicken Burrito Bowl In the Instant Pot. you won’t believe how tender and juicy the chicken cooks!

The pasta is perfectly coated with a creamy sauce bursting with Mexican spices and loaded with onions, colorful yellow and green bell pepper, salsa, and cheese. This is pure comfort food, and it goes great served with this easy refreshing Melon Agua Fresca too. #somuchyum.

This entire chicken fajitas meal cooks in the Instant Pot, meaning you can make a healthy and flavorful dump and go, one pot meals for your family in practically no time. Don’t dread the busy nights anymore, because you can get this frugal dinner that your whole family will absolutely love on the table in minutes!

Why Make This Recipe

• One-Pot – This flavorful chicken fajita pasta is a wonderful recipe for those who love one pot meals. Easy cooking, easy cleanup. 
• Flavorful – If you love chicken fajitas, you will love this cooked pasta recipe.
• Economical – Feed your whole family hearty portions without spending a fortune. 

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken – We’re using cubed skinless chicken breasts. Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or whatever you have on hand. 
• Penne Pasta – Swap in rotini pasta or use any other kind of dried shaped pasta in this recipe. Do not use cooked pasta.
• Chicken Broth – Or chicken stock. Substitute vegetable broth or water. 
• Fajita Seasoning – You can also use your favorite taco seasoning blend or even make your own using spices you already have on hand, such as chili powder and cumin. 
• Half and Half – Half and half will create a thick and creamy sauce. You can substitute for heavy cream or milk if desired. 
• Salsa – I prefer a medium salsa, but feel free to use your favorite store bought jarred salsa. In a pinch, you can use canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce instead.
• Bell Peppers – Use a combination of green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper and red bell pepper to add color to this dish. 
• Cheese – grated cheddar, Pepper Jack, or Mozzarella Cheese all work.

How To Make One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Add chicken broth or chicken stock to the Instant Pot, then add the pasta making sure it is submerged in the stock. 
2. Without stirring, layer the red onion, fajita seasoning, oregano, salt, and cubed chicken breasts into the Instant Pot, finishing with the diced tomatoes salsa.
3. Seal and cook at high pressure for 4 minutes, followed by a quick pressure release.
4. Stir in the bell peppers, half and half (or heavy cream), and the cheese. Cover and let stand for 7 minutes or until the cheese melts.
5. if desired, garnish with chopped cilantro, crushed tomatoes, green chiles, and extra grated cheese, then serve. 

Note: Cooking times do not include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure. 

Tips For Success

• If using long pasta, break the pasta in half or thirds before adding it to the instant pot. 
• Use a wooden spoon to make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the chicken broth.
• Add remaining ingredients layered on top of the penne pasta without stirring in. 

Delicious Variations

• Change the Seasoning – Swap the fajita seasoning for taco seasoning, or customize by using individual seasonings like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Make it Spicy – Love spicy chicken fajitas? You can easily change this recipe’s heat level if you use spicier salsa. Add chopped jalapeños or green chiles to make it extra spicy.

Budget-Friendly Tips 

• Make Your Own Fajita Seasoning – Fajita seasoning is easy to make yourself, and you probably have all the individual spices in your pantry. Mix your own fajita seasoning blends to save money and add more flavor.
• Double the Recipe – Double the recipe and save the leftovers for easy meals. Cook once and eat dinner all week.
• Use Leftover Chicken –  Substitute leftover chicken from a previous dinner or use rotisserie chicken. Add in the already cooked chicken after the pasta has cooked.
• Freeze Onions and Bell Peppers – Save leftover raw onions and bell peppers in the freezer for up to 2 months. No need to thaw; just toss in and cook as directed.

Make Ahead, Storage and Meal Prep

• Make Ahead – Prep all the veggies and chicken the night before. When you get home, toss everything into the Instant Pot for a super quick and easy meal. 
• Reheat – This chicken fajita pasta is a perfect make-ahead meal. Simply reheat in the microwave when you are ready to eat. 
• Store – Store leftover chicken fajita pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze – Freeze chicken fajita pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 months. 

Meal Prep –

• This is a great recipe for meal prep. Cook once and eat dinner for days.
• Separate leftover chicken fajita pasta into eat sized 4 portions in airtight meal prep containers (microwave safe) and let cool completely with the lids off.
• When cool, close them and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Change it up by serving with various grilled meats or fish or with a big salad.

FAQs

How Can I Get Tender Bell Peppers?

We add the bell peppers after pressure cooking and cover for about 6-7 minutes, so they soften a bit, but they still have quite a bit of crunch.

If you prefer tender peppers, sauté them in the instant pot before proceeding with the recipe, then remove them to a plate to add back in at the end. If you want softer peppers then pressure cook with the pasta but make sure to cut them up big.

Can I Use Leftover Chicken?

Using leftover chicken is a great way to stretch a recipe. Add defrosted shredded chicken in place of the cubed skinless chicken breasts and cook as directed. 

Can I Use Homemade Salsa?

Canning your own salsa is such a frugal option, and homemade salsa would be delicious in this recipe. You can even create a shortcut homemade salsa by quickly combining diced tomatoes with minced garlic and taco seasoning or chili powder.

More Recipes You May Like

• Chicken Fajita Foil Packs.
• Chicken Burrito Bowl
• Chicken Fajita Casserole.
• Instant Pot Taco Pasta
• Melon Agua Fresca (my fave refreshing drink)

More Pasta Recipes

Love pasta? Then you’ll want to check out these delicious recipes;

• Baked Feta Pasta.
• Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes.
• Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 12 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this chicken fajita pasta.

Tools To Make This

• Instant Pot.
• A spatula for mixing.
• A sharp knife for cutting food easily.
• Measuring cups and spoons.

Get The Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe: