Cheesy Rotel Chicken Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken, rotini pasta, and creamy cheese meld with zesty Rotel for a flavorful, comforting dinner dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into small uniform pieces

→ Seasonings and Oil

02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp taco seasoning
04 - 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (optional)
05 - 1 tbsp butter
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp onion powder
08 - ½ tsp smoked paprika

→ Pasta

09 - 8 oz rotini pasta
10 - 4 cups water
11 - 1 cube chicken bouillon

→ Vegetables

12 - 1 cup mixed bell peppers, diced (red, orange, green)
13 - ½ cup red onion, diced
14 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Cheese and Dairy

15 - 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
16 - ½ cup heavy cream
17 - 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
18 - ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
19 - ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Cut chicken into small uniform pieces. Toss with olive oil, taco seasoning, and optional Cajun seasoning to coat evenly.
02 - Heat oil and butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken in a single layer and let sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until no longer pink. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm.
03 - Bring water and chicken bouillon to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add rotini pasta, stir, and cook until just al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced bell peppers, red onion, and minced garlic. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until softened and aromatic.
05 - Pour in the entire can of Rotel with juices, stirring well. Reduce heat, add heavy cream, and combine gently. Add cubed Velveeta cheese, allowing it to melt slowly, then fold in shredded pepper jack and sharp cheddar until sauce is smooth and creamy.
06 - Add drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Return cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet and mix thoroughly. Adjust seasoning with reserved taco seasoning if desired.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Reheat leftovers with a splash of milk or cream to restore sauce creaminess.
02 - Slow melting of cheese over low heat yields the creamiest sauce texture.
03 - Caramelizing chicken enhances depth of flavor.

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