This Rotel chicken pasta is a recipe that will be made often in your house! Quick, easy, and only a pan is needed to make this high protein chicken pasta dinner. Pair it up with sides of veggies for an easy weeknight dinner that will make the whole family happy on the busy nights! Plus, picky eaters will love it as well.

Life can be nonstop, but one thing that remains consistent is that kids always want to know what’s for dinner! While this I a dinner recipe it works perfect for meal prep for a bulk, cut, or work lunch. One thing bout meals over the year is that the higher the protein, the fuller it keeps me. This is also true for children and the entire family.

Rotel Chicken Pasta Ingredients:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – You can substitute this with boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
• Barilla Protein Farfalla Pasta
• Olive Oil
• Onion Powder
• Chili Powder– use less if you have picky kids
• Cumin
• Cilantro– can be limited if you are not a cilantro fan
• Rotel Tomatoes
• Tomato Sauce
• Minced Garlic
• Mexican Shredded Cheese
• Milk
• Salt and Black Pepper

How To Make High Protein Chicken Pasta

Start by trimming your chicken breasts to remove excess fat, and then dice them into approximately one-inch cubes.

Turn your burner to a medium-high heat and pour in olive oil and minced garlic. Allow it to warm up before proceeding to the next step.

This pan will need to be large enough to hold everything; a Dutch oven or a stockpot will work. I used the Caraway Ceramic-Coated Sauté pan.  Be sure the pot or large skillet has a lid.  

Add the diced chicken breasts into the pan and sprinkle with the seasonings.

Allow your chicken to cook thoroughly. I used my Thermoworks Thermapen to ensure the chicken reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Add the broth, pasta, Rotel, and tomato sauce to the pan with the cooked chicken. Do not drain the liquid from the Rotel.

Stir everything together and bring the pan to a boil.

Once the liquid is bubbling, stir again, reduce the heat, and cover.

Stir the pasta every 7 minutes until it is thoroughly cooked. I did this twice, and then a couple of minutes more; your cooking time may vary slightly.

Mix in the shredded cheese and milk.

Serve and enjoy!

Caraway Pans

I made this using the Ceramic-Coated Dutch Oven from Caraway pans. Healthy living isn’t just what we put in our mouths directly but also what chemicals our pans release during cooking. I used this recipe as my first attempt to break in my new pans, and I was surprised at how easy the cleanup was. If you have ever made pasta with cheese, you know how hard clean-up can be sometimes. They have excellent sales all the time, be sure to check them out -> here!

Ingredient Substitutions for This Cheesy Tex-Mex Chicken Pasta

One of the best parts of this recipe is its flexibility. Whether you’re missing an ingredient or adjusting for dietary needs, here are some easy swaps that still keep all the flavor (and protein!) your hungry crew will love.
**If you are tracking macros, ensure that you always calculate with the actual ingredients. **

• Ground meat- beef, turkey, chicken, or sausage
• Canned or shredded rotisserie chicken
• Salsa
• Cream cheese
• Mushrooms
• Diced Bell Pepper
• Fresh Tomatoes- Can be used but may alter the dish some
• Any melting cheese or Velveeta Cheese
• Garlic Powder
• Green Chilies
• Half and half or heavy cream
• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Homemade Fajita Seasoning
• Cayenne Pepper

Alternate High Protein Pasta

While there’s nothing wrong with using regular pasta or whole wheat pasta, I’m on a high-protein, lower-carb mission, and I love the taste of Barilla Protein pasta. If you’re looking for high-protein pasta, there are other options, including low-carb pastas. Be sure to read the nutrition label to make sure it meets your needs.
**If you are tracking macros, ensure that you always calculate with the actual ingredients. **

• Brami Protein Pasta
• Banza pasta
• Carpe Diem Pasta
• Kaizen Pasta
• Liviva
• Zucchini Noodles

How To Store Pasta With Rotel

I measure mine right out into meal prep containers for my weekly meal prep. You can store it in a large container if you want to serve it out of it. I am lazy and dish mine into meal prep containers so I can put it straight in the microwave and eat it. It will keep in the fridge for up to four days.

I have not frozen this recipe, but it can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

How To Reheat Tex-Mex Chicken Protein Pasta Skillet

You can reheat in an oven-safe container or a microwave-safe container in the microwave. If you’d like, you can add more sauce or cheese. (Trust me, cheese topped on this is delicious.)

Macros For Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta

When prepared according to the recipe and served in 6 servings, the nutritional breakdown is as follows: calories, 514; fat, 13 grams; carbohydrates, 44 grams; and protein, 50 grams.

To lower fat, use low-fat cheese and milk, and to lower carbs, swap out for a low-carb pasta.

I calculated this information using a third-party tool and are meant to be a helpful reference only. Actual values will vary based on the specific ingredients, brands, and portion sizes you use.

More High-Protein Chicken Recipes

• Dill Pickle Chicken Salad
• Buffalo Chicken
• Chicken Rotel Pasta