Southwest Chicken Alfredo (Print Version)

Creamy pasta with rotisserie chicken, bell peppers, and southwest spices ready in just 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
02 - 8 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
05 - 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
06 - 1/2 cup chopped onion
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings and Sauces

08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
16 - Juice of 1/2 lime

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell peppers. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
04 - Add shredded rotisserie chicken and mix well. Pour in the cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.
05 - Stir in the Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly—about 3-4 minutes.
06 - Toss in the cooked pasta and squeeze in fresh lime juice. Mix to coat everything evenly.
07 - Sprinkle with chopped cilantro, if using. Serve warm with extra Parmesan if desired.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Swap out fettuccine for penne, or go low-carb with zucchini noodles. Want more heat? Add jalapeños or a dash of cayenne.