By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 24, 2022
This creamy chicken alfredo pasta is made with penne and a tomato alfredo sauce for incredible flavor! For a southwest-inspired mix, penne, chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and more are all cooked in one pan, for the easiest weeknight pasta dinner. Everyone will love this southwest chicken alfredo!
Southwest Chicken Alfredo
This creamy chicken alfredo penne recipe is the perfect easy dinner ! The combination of chicken, penne, and alfredo with taco seasoning, beans, and corn makes the most delicious dish.
Creamy and cheesy , this one pan Southwest chicken alfredo pasta is all cooked on the stovetop in a skillet with a few simple, but super tasty ingredients.
This one pan pasta skillet meal is so easy and quick to make. It’s unique, comforting, and irresistible. The entire family will love this one!
Why You’ll Love this Chicken Alfredo Penne Recipe:
- ONE PAN : Make weeknight dinners easier with this one pan recipe. The whole meal is cooked in one skillet, so cooking and cleaning will be a breeze!
- 30 MINUTE MEAL : This chicken alfredo penne pasta can be made in just about 30 minutes, so you can get dinner on the table in a snap!
- CREAMY SOUTHWEST FLAVOR: The combination of heavy cream and cheese to make an alfredo sauce, with the taco seasoning and other ingredients for a southwest-inspired flavor…it’s unique, delicious, and hard to resist!
Weeknight meals are going to be so simple with this chicken alfredo penne!
If you love southwest-inspired flavors, be sure to try my Southwest Pinwheels too!
Ingredients
- Chicken : I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe. Chop it into small cubes to cook.
- Penne Pasta: Penne is the perfect type of pasta for this dish!
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is what turns the sauce into a creamy alfredo.
- Chicken Broth : Broth adds more flavor than water. I like using low sodium broth.
- Black Beans: Use a can of black beans, drained and rinsed. You could use kidney beans if you prefer.
- Corn: Use a can of corn, drained and rinsed. You could also use frozen corn, just thaw before using.
- Tomatoes: Use a can of diced tomatoes, drained.
- Taco Seasoning : A packet of taco seasoning adds that delicious southwest flavor!
Check the recipe card for the full ingredients list!
How to Make Southwest Chicken Alfredo Penne
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Brown the chicken in the skillet.
- Add the garlic.
- Pour in the cream and broth and stir in the seasonings.
- Add the pasta and boil.
- Add in the corn, beans and tomatoes.
- Cook until pasta is al dente.
- Stir in the cheese and serve!
This chicken alfredo penne is best served as soon as it’s ready, but leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop to serve.
Yes! Generally, you can boil pasta in liquids other than water, and chicken broth is a great option to add flavor. Here, we’re using broth instead of water to cook the pasta and bring all the ingredients together.
There are plenty of ways to change up this recipe a little bit. Make it a bit spicier by adding jalapenos or chilis. Add some spinach to sneak in more greens. Stir in some broccoli, or add more cheese.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken alfredo penne pasta is so rich, creamy, and filling on it’s own. It makes a great main dish, and definitely works as a lone dish on busy nights. But I do like serving it along with some bread, and maybe some salad or veggies.
- Garlic Pull Apart Rolls
- Spinach Salad with Bacon
- Homemade Texas Toast
- Baked Tomatoes with Mozzarella
- Crockpot Potatoes
Tips!
- Drain and rinse the corn and black beans before using. They can be quite salty if not rinsed.
- You can also use frozen or fresh corn, instead of canned.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
- Most ingredients can easily be substituted, if needed.
What pasta should I use for this southwest chicken alfredo?
I think this southwest chicken alfredo pasta works best with penne. It’s easy to eat with all the other ingredients, and it holds both the creamy sauce and chunkier ingredients well.
You can use another type of pasta though! It works well with most short, shaped noodles, like rotini, macaroni, or farfelle. I wouldn’t recommend using fettuccine, or any long noodles.
You can use whole wheat pasta, but the cooking time will increase slightly, or use a a gluten-free pasta if you have an intolerance.
What is tomato alfredo sauce?
Alfredo is a cream-based sauce, traditionally made with heavy cream, butter, and cheese. It’s super creamy and rich in flavor. Tomato alfredo just adds tomatoes into the mix, combining two great sauces with a red-tinged color.
With this chicken alfredo penne recipe, everything is made together in one pan. So the tomatoes, cream, taco seasoning, and everything else creates a unique, southwest inspired flavor.
More Chicken Pasta Recipes We Love
- Creamy Chicken Spaghetti
- Chicken Fettuccine
- Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Easy Chicken Parmesan
- Chicken Florentine Pasta
This Southwest chicken alfredo penne pasta is one delicious and easy dinner. Being able to cook everything in one skillet on the stovetop makes it a perfect go-to after a busy day.
MoreOne Pan Skillet Meals
- Honey Mustard Pork Chops Skillet
- Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Chicken Parmesan Pasta
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- ▢ 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ▢ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ▢ 1½ cups heavy cream
- ▢ 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ▢ 8 ounces dry penne pasta ½ box
- ▢ 1 ounce taco seasoning 1 packet
- ▢ 7 ounces canned corn about ½ can, drained and rinsed
- ▢ 7 ounces canned black beans about ½ can, drained and rinsed
- ▢ 7 ounces canned diced tomatoes about ½ can, drained and rinsed
- ▢ ½ cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Toss in the chicken cubes and brown each side for about 1-2 minutes. You don’t have to cook the chicken completely through, but enough so they are almost cooked. 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and continue cooking for another minute. 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Pour in the cream, broth, and taco seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine. 1½ cups heavy cream, 1 cup low sodium chicken broth, 1 ounce taco seasoning, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Add the pasta and bring to a light boil, stirring occasionally. 8 ounces dry penne pasta
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low and add in corn, beans, and tomatoes. Stir to combine. Cover and allow to cook for about 20 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. 7 ounces canned corn, 7 ounces canned black beans, 7 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- Just before serving, stir in your Parmesan cheese and garnish with either chopped cilantro or parsley. ½ cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Becky’s Tips
- Drain and rinse the corn and black beans before using. They can be quite salty if not rinsed.
- You can also use frozen or fresh corn.
- I like to make this with black beans, but red kidney beans would work great too.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
One Pan Southwest Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces dry penne pasta ½ box
- 1 ounce taco seasoning 1 packet
- 7 ounces canned corn about ½ can, drained and rinsed
- 7 ounces canned black beans about ½ can, drained and rinsed
- 7 ounces canned diced tomatoes about ½ can, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Toss in the chicken cubes and brown each side for about 1-2 minutes. You don’t have to cook the chicken completely through, but enough so they are almost cooked. 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and continue cooking for another minute. 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Pour in the cream, broth, and taco seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine. 1½ cups heavy cream, 1 cup low sodium chicken broth, 1 ounce taco seasoning, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Add the pasta and bring to a light boil, stirring occasionally. 8 ounces dry penne pasta
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low and add in corn, beans, and tomatoes. Stir to combine. Cover and allow to cook for about 20 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. 7 ounces canned corn, 7 ounces canned black beans, 7 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- Just before serving, stir in your Parmesan cheese and garnish with either chopped cilantro or parsley. ½ cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Video
Notes
- Drain and rinse the corn and black beans before using. They can be quite salty if not rinsed.
- You can also use frozen or fresh corn.
- I like to make this with black beans, but red kidney beans would work great too.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
