Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake
This Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake is creamy, spicy, and cheesy. Your family will love this easy Mexican dinner. I’m always looking for an easy chicken recipe and this is so easy!
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FIESTA CHICKEN PASTA BAKE
I’ve been without a dishwasher for almost a week now and am still looking at a couple of days longer until the part comes in. You don’t realize how much you appreciate something until it’s gone.
There are definitely two types of people:
1) Those who wash the dishes so well before putting them in the dishwasher, that the dishwasher is merely a formality to the cleanliness.
2) Those who barely splash some water on the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, cross their fingers, and pray for a miracle.
I’m the latter.
So when my dishwasher breaks, I’m in food-crusted purgatory.
My husband said, “First world problems babe. First world problems.” And then tells me it’s all about your mindset and that he would gladly wash all of the dishes for the next week (he’s a saint). When he served a two-year mission no one had dishwashers. It was considered a luxury.
So here we are. This is almost a one-pot meal. If you got creative you could boil your pasta, drain it, use the same pot to mix everything and then bake it in the same…pot? Okay, this is definitely at least two pot meal but easy nonetheless.
Start by mixing your chunky salsa, sour cream, and Old El Paso taco seasoning together. I used mild salsa because my kids were eating. Toss in your cooked pasta.
Any shape will do but I like fusilli because the sauce really sticks to it. Add your corn, black beans, and chicken. Toss half of the cheese in the pasta and sprinkle the other half on top.
I’m telling you, my 3-year-old kept shoving her bowl in my face and asking for more.
OTHER MEXICAN RECIPES
- Tater Taco Casserole
- One-Pan Mexican Chicken and Rice
- One-Pan Chicken Enchilada Skillet
- Salsa Verde Enchiladas
- Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas
- Mexican Stuffed Shells
- Taco Pizza
- Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake
- Horchata
- Baked Chicken Chimichangas
- Taco Grilled Cheese
Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fusili pasta, , uncooked (can also use any other pasta shape)
- 1 cup thick and chunky salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Old El Paso taco seasoning
- 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken, (rotisserie chicken works well here)
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, , divided (or use all cheddar)
- (optional) cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions. Will yield about 4 cups cooked pasta. Drain and cool.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl stir together the salsa, sour cream, and taco seasoning. Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat.
- Add the corn, black beans, chicken, and 1 cup of the cheese. Toss to combine and pour into a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Take off foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Garnish with cilantro or green onions if desired.
I have made this twice, my wife loves it. I used a can of chili beans with sauce the first time, tasted great.
Thank you!
Have you ever frozen this for later baking? I’m 35 1/2 weeks pregnant and I’m looking for things I can freeze for later
I haven’t but I don’t see why not
I made this last night- have a ton of cherry tomatoes coming in from the garden. I doubled the garlic (from garden). I had Italian sausage from our neighbors free range hog he processed and added kale, basil , tarragon and oregano from garden left out garlic powder and Italian seasoning. I also used Orichette pasta- grabbed the sauce better AMAZING!!! Thanks for a great recipe. I will peruse your others.
So glad to hear that!
Such a great recipe. Thank you for sharing. I wanted to ask can this be made a day in advance? Sending to a friend and her family as a get well soon meal.
If it can be made in advance, can I not bake it and give them the instructions to bake? Think it’ll be alright?
I think it will be fine if you make it and have them bake it. Just make sure your noodles are al dente.
We did like it. I agree with some others that could use a bit more flavor. It’s a basic dish so have some fun with it and add what you like. We doubled up the taco seasoning, added more salsa over the top before topping with cheese, and added jalapeños, and just some basic salt and pepper. Overall it was good and we will make it again. 👍🏻
Thanks Terry!
Another promising recipe compromised by the use of super-high sodium processed flavor packets. Too bad. One of those little packets contains 1800mg of sodium–more than 2/3 of the daily recommended average. Divide by 4 servings and you’re still eating 450mg of salt from the packet alone–then factor in the cheese and any other ingredients you add. Old El Paso isn’t your heart’s friend.
YEs. Make your own.
There are low sodium packets. Another alternative is a container of taco seasoning, also have low sodium options if you know where to shop. But generally, making your own allows you to tweak it to your preference.
Hey..this looks an amazing and it sound was so yummy…i will trying to make it for tonight dinner…Thanks for sharing….! https://www.consumerkitchenstuff.com
I make my own taco seasoning and keep an extra flavor packet on hand to have the equivalent, if a recipe calls for that much. Here is the recipe. Sometimes I swap smoked paprika for the regular. It’s kind of my secret ingredient for a lot of dishes! 😁
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/46653/taco-seasoning-i/
It has a lot less sodium!!
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/46653/taco-seasoning-i/
You’re welcome!
My daughter loved this tonight. I used rotisserie chicken and opted the black beans out and it was so easy and delicious.
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it!
I subbed Fage 2% yogurt for the sour cream. I try so hard to eat healthy, but aw man, this was DELICIOUS. My new favorite comfort food.
So glad you liked it!
Made this as is. Just used rotisserie chicken and frozen corn with Jalapeños. I only had whole wheat rotini. But THIS CASSEROLE IS FANTASTIC.
Thank you so much!
This recipe is so quick and fabulous! It’s in the oven as I type…but I’m one of those cooks that take little tastes as I go along. I had a tough time not eating it all right there, before I put it in the oven. Would give 10 stars if I could!
It dawned on me that this would also make a perfect dip for those NFL games if you leave the pasta out. Probably going to add it to my super bowl Sunday grub, minus the pasta. Great job! Thanks for sharing. One of my keepers for sure!
So true. Thanks for the feedback Marcia!
We desperately need quick, easy kid-friendly recipes, and this fit the bill perfectly. Because most of the flavor comes from the taco seasoning and salsa, it’s easy to tailor the flavor to your family’s liking/needed spice level just by using your favorite salsa and seasoning. It was a win for even my pickiest eater who initially did not want to try it, so that’s saying something. Thank you!
Yes, I totally agree!
I used spaghetti squash for a little less carbs and it wasn’t too bad, make sure to let squash sit in a colander and drain well. Also, added some taco sauce. The hubs was happy with it so I’m happy too.
Yay! win for everyone.
Didnt have black beans. We opted out of it. But the sauce just tasted really plain. Had to adjust it a lot and still couldnt figure out what it was missing after working with it. Very plain. Not again.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it.
Love this recipe!! So easy to make and everyone complimented how great it was!! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes!!
Thanks Jamie. What a compliment.
You are an absolute life saver hun! My home-ec teacher taught us this recipe 15 years ago and out of all of the recipes that I saved of hers, this is the one I’ve lost. I’ve been wanting to make this for my own family for a very long time but I couldn’t remember every ingredient! Thank you so much for posting this online!!!
Weird since I made this up? Your home-ec teacher and I must have the same brain.
More than one person can indeed have the same idea or thought as another. it’s not a far reach. Oh heck, if ya swap taco seasoning n salsa out with cream of chicken n cheese n mixed veggies…. oh wow you have a version of creamy chicken noodle or casserole. So no, it’s not so “weird”. Niki- I, for one are glad you found a recipes so very close to hers that it floods back memories that’s was cooking is about! I try my damn way to turn anything I make into a casserole lmao #momthing
Yes, I guess it’s all one ingredient away from another person’s recipe. Haha.
I’m going to try this tonight with some leftover shredded chicken from another recipe. Wondering if I add cauliflower and mushrooms to it if I’ll need to cook them first? Any insight is appreciated!
I wouldn’t think you would have to cook them first. The mushrooms I think would be better sauteed first to release their juices. Good luck!
Since every thing is pre-cooked, at least it does to me, I would mix this up and serve it as a cold pasta salad
Great idea! Why didn’t I think of that?
Omg yes with cold sour cream and cherry tomatoes n black olives with maybe a little avocado and maybe swap the sour cream or portion of for a lime avacado ranch type sauce
Just made this recipe and it is delicious!!! Everyone has loved it!! Will be making this again!! Question though, is the nutritional value (calories) 100% correct? Seems like it should be a little more with so much cheese.
I just double checked all the ingredients and it is correct. There are 8 servings though so that divides it a lot.
Thank you!! Again, delicious recipe!! I have made it twice now!!
Woo hoo!
They are showing adding 1 pack of taco seasoning but directions says 1tablesoion? What is everyone doing?
The recipe is correct. They are just showing that is the seasoning they are using.
Made this for dinner tonight, substituted the chicken with hamburger meat, it was amazing, definitely a long time recipe for my kitchen
I think hamburger meat would be awesome!
I’m making this for the 2nd time tomorrow! I hope I get a response before then; will it bake okay if prepared & stored in the refrigerator the night before? I want to cook this when I get home tomorrow before my husband goes to work so he has this great meal for lunch. Thanks!
Just made this – SO good! Keeping this recipe bookmarked. Thank you for sharing!
so there is 2 of us i am making this for ….should i make double or will this feed both of us with some leftovers possibly?
This will feed about 4 people!
How long is the prep time
It’s about 10 minutes.
This looks great and I would love to do for potluck lunch. Do you think this would work in the crockpot?
I think the pasta might get soggy if left in there too long. I haven’t tried it.
This sounds A-MAZING! YUM!
I would love for you to share this with my Link Up on Mondays and then my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thank you!. We enjoyed it!
Trying this tonight for my husband with hamburger instead of chicken. Smelled great as I was putting it together. Thanks
Hope you love it!
Hi! This sounds great; I know my family would love it. Do you post the nutrition info anywhere? This is my first visit to your site, so maybe I’m missing it. Thanks!
I don’t but I will add it below the recipe. Welcome!
This looks amazing! Totally going on our menu plan for next week!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
If I were to replace the pasta with rice, how much would you recommend? I would probably like to try it with white rice and brown rice as well. Would swapping pasta out for rice affect the cooking time? This looks delicious, but I can’t see my family doing pasta with taco flavors.
Since there are about 4 cups of cooked noodles I would do around the same of the rice. Cooking time is really just to get it all heated through so maybe not as long?