Easy Salsa Chicken Pasta
This flavorful, high-protein weeknight meal combines tender, golden-brown chicken breast with a zesty tomato and salsa-based sauce. By using simple pantry staples like pasta and canned diced tomatoes, this dish transforms into a satisfying, gourmet-feeling dinner in under 30 minutes. It is the perfect fusion solution for busy schedules, offering a balanced, savory profile that relies on natural acidity rather than heavy creams or lengthy cooking processes to deliver a vibrant and delicious result.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
14 oz can diced tomatoes, half the juice drained
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup mild or medium salsa
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Drain the pasta, reserving a half cup of the starchy cooking water.
Season the chicken breast pieces evenly with salt and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Sauté the chicken pieces for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through.
Add the diced tomatoes and salsa to the skillet, stirring to combine the juices with the chicken fond.
Simmer the sauce for 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, adding small amounts of reserved water as needed to reach desired consistency.
Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Reserve the pasta water as it contains starch that helps the salsa-based sauce adhere to the noodles.
Adjust the amount of salt based on the sodium content of your chosen salsa brand.
This dish stores well in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Find it online: https://albertrecipes.com/easy-salsa-chicken-pasta/