This Fiesta Chicken Pasta from Kraft is a great, easy weeknight meal.
For so many people, cooking dinner is just another chore added to their long list of to-do’s during the day. I enjoy cooking dinner. Let me rephrase that… I enjoy cooking dinner if I don’t have three children under my feet bugging me to do things for them while I am trying to navigate the kitchen to cook something all 5 of us will like.
On my best nights, my husband comes home from work and sweeps the kids away for awhile so I can make dinner in peace. Cooking dinner under those circumstances is my “me” time. It’s the time where I can be in my element. Where I can think about my day without the distraction of the children interrupting my thoughts. It’s great, but I know my husband has his limitations. He’s usually been at work for 10 hours and would probably like some “me” time as well. On nights like those, I feel a little oomph of success when I can have my “me” time in the kitchen and it takes roughly 30 minutes from start to finish to create a nice meal.
Last night was one of those nights. I tried a new recipe from one of those free Kraft Food and Family magazines that shows up in our mail on occasion. The recipe was for Fiesta Chicken Pasta. I used all of the light versions of the ingredients and it came out great. The entire family, including the baby, really enjoyed this dish. My 5 year old son had three “loads”, which is his terminology for servings.
If you are a parent that dreads making dinner each night, give this quick, simple and tasty recipe a try. It is a nice change from the normal rotation of spaghetti, tacos or sloppy joes. Sit down to dinner relaxed, with a new found love for quick and easy recipes.
Fiesta Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cups rotini pasta uncooked
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups chopped red peppers about 2 medium
- 1/4 cup lite Italian dressing
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup lite sour cream
- 1/2 cup lite shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta as directed on package.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken. Cook and stir 6 minute Add peppers, dressing and chili powder; cook 3 minute or until chicken is cooked through, stirring frequently. Stir in salsa and sour cream.
- Drain pasta. Toss with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and serve!
If you love this pasta recipe, I bet you’ll love this One Skillet Beefy Tuscan Pasta recipe too!
I am going to try this recipe, it looks great! Lately, my cheat way to make mexican salad dressing is to mix salsa with sour cream. Yes, that’s it:). I like the idea of it warmed together with pasta. Hey, what kind of italian dressing did you use?
You’re exactly right about cooking being me time. And like you, I’m ideally trying to get something to the table quickly. But with something fun on the kitchen boombox and ingredients that inspire me, this is one of the best ways to unwind after a day at work.
I’ve always enjoyed those publications, Kristen. That looks like something I could do on a 6 p.m. night. Tonight was an 8 p.m. night (meaning I did not get home until 8 p.m.) so it was catch as catch can.
I envy all of you who have a more regular schedule!
Janelle – I used some leftover Italian dressing that I had from a restaurant called Cascone’s. The recipe, coming from Kraft, says to use Kraft Zesty Italian. Let me know if you do end up trying it.
Terry – I’m the same way… have some music in the background, a couple of magazines to catch up on, and cooking dinner is a happy time!
We have 8pm nights too Mimi, and those are usually sandwich nights or leftover nights. Whatever my hubby can grab from the fridge!
Kristen, cooking time is absolutely ‘me’ time. I have a hard time sharing the kitchen, probably for that reason, also ‘cuz it’s a fairly small galley kitchen so it gets crowded quickly. Being creative with food is such a great way to get rid of the day’s stress. Great recipe. I’ll give it a whirl soon.
I think we will try that! THANKS! 🙂
And thanks for your congrats 🙂
Kristen,
I love cooking and enjoy all my moments in the kitchen – but I totally agree with you about your ‘me’ time.
This pasta looks delicious, simple and quick to put together – what a perfect choice for dinner!
That looks great, Kristen. And bonus points for everyone loving it. That’s a great feeling.
Hooray for "ME" time! I’m glad you got some for yourself last night, Kristen. 🙂 xo.
I can so relate to how cooking is calming and relaxing when you are on you own. This dish looks tasty! I get those magazines too and every once in a while we’ll try something from them and it’ll usually turn out pretty good. =)
My "me" time is usually in the kitchen too. Glad you got some downtime!
What a great recipe – looks delicious!
I totally agree about "me" time in the kitchen. I actually cook to de-stress after a long day and although people think I am crazy, I really find it relaxing. 🙂
Yummq! That looks so good and easy to make.