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Homemade Southwest Chicken Pasta Recipe photo

Southwest Chicken Pasta Recipe

A comforting, spicy baked pasta with shredded rotisserie chicken, peppers, corn, and a cheesy southwest-style sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 lb rotini pasta (or pasta shape of choice)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 cups onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded and diced *Reduce or omit if sensitive to spicy foods
  • 10 oz corn (frozen or kernels from about 3 ears)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or more if needed) adjust if vegetables release a lot of liquid
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided reserve 1/2 cup for topping
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups tortilla chips, crushed for topping

Equipment

  • large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven
  • Colander
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Grater (if shredding cheese)
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large oven-safe pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for half the time recommended on the package. Drain and set aside.
  3. In the same hot pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, green and red bell peppers, diced jalapeños, and corn; sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  5. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock until smooth. Add the ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Increase the heat slightly and cook until the sauce begins to thicken.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, 1 cup of the shredded cheddar, shredded rotisserie chicken, and the cooked pasta until evenly combined.
  7. Sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips over the top and finish with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar.
  8. Bake, uncovered, for 20–30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Reduce or omit jalapeños if sensitive to spicy foods.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe pot, transfer the mixture to a casserole dish before baking.