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    Ingredients » Recipes » Chicken

    One Pan Creamy Chicken Enchilada Pasta

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Sep 7, 2016 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    One Pan Creamy Chicken Enchilada Pasta is cheesy, slightly spicy and super easy to make. Best of all, it's ready in only 30 minutes!

    Jump to Recipe -

    one-pan-creamy-chicken-enchilada-pasta-recipe

    Yes -- It's another one dish wonder here on the blog. I know I just posted one yesterday, but this easy chicken pasta dish turned out so well that I couldn't resist sharing it right away.

    I truly hope you're not tired of the one dish meals, because they really do make life a lot easier, especially with our crazy schedules.

    Anyway, I've been seeing so many enchilada pasta recipes, and I've been wanting to try my own version for a long time. We absolutely love enchiladas, but they do take some time to prepare. There's nothing wrong with that, but I don't always have the extra time or energy on busy weeknights. So, this shortcut method sounded perfect to me.

    creamy-chicken-enchilada-casserole

    The first time I made this enchilada skillet, it was still a little too spicy for the kids, even though I used a mild sauce. So this time, I added a little bit of cream to the sauce, and everyone liked it much better. It's still got a nice kick to it, but the cream helps tone the heat down a notch. It also gives the pasta a smoother consistency, which everyone loved.

    If want to make this dish lighter or spicier, just leave out the cream and add a little extra water. And if you make your own enchilada sauce, definitely use that!

    You can also use just about any pasta. I personally love mini penne, so that's what I usually use. But any thick pasta would work here.

    one-pan-creamy-chicken-enchilada-pasta-dinner-recipe

    To add a little more texture and crunch to the enchilada pasta, I crushed up some tortilla chips and added them over the melted cheese layer. I also topped the pasta off with homemade guacamole, a dollop of sour cream and a few fresh tomatoes.

    So there you have it -- skillet chicken enchilada pasta that tastes like the real deal without all of the work! It's perfect for busy weeknights, and you only have one pan to wash.

    It's also a nice change from the usual tomato-based pasta dishes.  

    one-pan-creamy-chicken-enchilada-pasta-skillet

    How to Make One Pan Creamy Chicken Enchilada Pasta

    one-pan-creamy-chicken-enchilada-pasta-recipe

    One Pan Creamy Chicken Enchilada Pasta

    Published by Dee
    An easy one pan pasta dish that tastes just like chicken enchiladas, without all of the work
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 to 8 servings
    Calories 607 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound chicken tenders cut into small pieces
    • ½ cup chopped yellow or white onion
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 2 cups mini penne pasta uncooked
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 cup cream
    • 2 cups mild enchilada sauce
    • 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
    • Sour cream guacamole, tomatoes and cilantro for garnish (optional)
    • ½ cup crushed tortilla chips
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet brown the chicken and onions in olive oil
    • Add the salt, pepper, cumin and garlic powder
    • Stir in pasta, water and enchilada sauce, cover and cook over over high heat until pasta is almost tender
    • Reduce heat to medium, stir in cream and cook until pasta is tender
    • Top with cheese, tortilla chips and optional ingredients
    • Serve immediately

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 607kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 34gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 152mgSodium: 1483mgPotassium: 445mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1610IUVitamin C: 2.7mgCalcium: 383mgIron: 1.8mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    One Pan Creamy Chicken Enchilada Pasta

    This one pan creamy chicken enchilada pasta dinner was a big hit with my family. I served it with a simple green side salad, and that's really all you need to make this easy meal complete.

    If you try it, let me know what you think!

    Have a super day, friends!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jewel says

      November 13, 2016 at 9:50 am

      Is this heavy cream?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 13, 2016 at 4:21 pm

        Yes -- heavy cream or whipping cream.

    2. Emily says

      September 13, 2016 at 11:45 am

      We love anything Mexican in our house, and I especially love one-pan meals. I will have to try out this recipe!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 14, 2016 at 7:54 am

        Thanks! I hope you like it as much as we did. 🙂

    3. Charlene Asay says

      September 11, 2016 at 4:32 pm

      This looks so yummy. We love enchiladas at my house, so I am sure this would be a hit. I hope to see you link up at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week.

      Reply
    4. Susan @ Culinary Envy says

      September 11, 2016 at 8:27 am

      Yum! Wish I was digging into this lovely skillet dish today when football is on. Yum and pinned!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 11, 2016 at 10:02 am

        That sounds like a plan -- thanks so much! 🙂

    5. Miz Helen says

      September 09, 2016 at 10:00 am

      Hi Dee,
      This is a delicious recipe and I love the one pan meal! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    6. Michelle | A Latte Food says

      September 08, 2016 at 10:28 pm

      OMG this looks amazing!! One pan meals are staples around here and I love the flavors in this!

      Reply
    7. Jen @ The Weary Chef says

      September 08, 2016 at 2:03 pm

      I'm obsessed with one pan dinners! So easy to make!

      Reply
    8. Justine | Cooking and Beer says

      September 08, 2016 at 9:24 am

      Love one pan deliciousness like this one! Looks perfect for a weeknight!

      Reply
    9. Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says

      September 08, 2016 at 8:02 am

      I have been craving this ever since I saw your photo on Facebook yesterday. I am putting the ingredients on my grocery list today to make it. I can't wait!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 27, 2016 at 2:52 pm

        Thanks, Ashlyn! We just loved it. 🙂

    10. Katerina @ diethood .com says

      September 08, 2016 at 12:49 am

      Its a perfect weeknight meal that my whole family will love!! YUM!!!

      Reply
    11. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 07, 2016 at 8:53 pm

      I'm totally drooling over this - pass the plate!!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 27, 2016 at 2:51 pm

        Thanks, Kimberly! I definitely have to make this again soon!

    12. Sandi says

      September 07, 2016 at 12:21 pm

      I love one dish wonders like this. Looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 07, 2016 at 1:14 pm

        Thanks, Sandi. One pan wonders are sanity savers!

    13. Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says

      September 07, 2016 at 10:51 am

      One dish wonders save my life! I can't resist Mexican food or past. And all that cheese, love!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 07, 2016 at 11:31 am

        Thanks so much, Amy. This is one of our favorites!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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