Best 6 Cheesy Tex Mex Chicken Penne Recipes

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If you're craving a flavorful and satisfying pasta dish, cheesy Tex Mex chicken penne is an excellent choice. This recipe combines the delicious flavors of Mexican cuisine with the comforting richness of a cheesy pasta bake. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or gathering with friends, this dish is sure to be a hit. With its combination of tender chicken, zesty Tex Mex spices, and a creamy cheese sauce, cheesy Tex Mex chicken penne is a delightful meal that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

TEX-MEX CHICKEN PARMESAN



Tex-Mex Chicken Parmesan image

Chicken Parmesan just got a Tex-Mex twist. We swapped out all the classic Italian ingredients for tortilla chips, spicy cheese and salsa. But if you truly miss the Parmesan in your Parmesan, then add a sprinkle or two to the finished dish.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cups tortilla chips
Two 8-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Kosher salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
One 15-ounce jar chunky salsa
One 8-ounce package pepper jack cheese, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced (seeds removed for less heat)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Put the chips in a food processor and pulse until they are finely ground; set aside.
  • Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally so you have 4 thin chicken cutlets.
  • Set up a breading station with 3 shallow dishes: Stir together the flour, chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the first dish. Beat the eggs in the second dish and add the tortilla chips to the third dish. Coat a cutlet in the flour. Dip in the egg, letting any excess drip off and then press into the tortilla chips. Transfer to a plate and bread the remaining cutlets.
  • Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until a piece of the breading sizzles when added to the oil. Add 2 breaded cutlets to the oil, making sure they don't touch each other. Fry until golden brown on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Add the remaining 1/4 cup oil to the skillet, heat and then fry the remaining cutlets.
  • Evenly spread 1/2 cup salsa on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on top. Pour 1/4 cup of salsa on top of each piece of chicken. Shingle the cheese evenly over the chicken.
  • Bake until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with the jalapeno and cilantro.

TEX-MEX CHICKEN PASTA



Tex-Mex Chicken Pasta image

For a very different treatment, the spicy chicken mixture is coated with a cream sauce and served over hot cooked linguine. "Sometimes I garnish this dish with fresh cilantro and crunchy fried tortilla strips," Nancy notes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 package (16 ounces) linguine
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons canola oil
2 cups Tex-Mex Chicken Starter
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
minced fresh cilantro, optional

Steps:

  • Cook linguine according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute red pepper in oil until crisp-tender. Add the chicken starter and corn; heat through. Stir in cream and cheese. , Cook and stir over medium-low heat until the cheese is melted and sauce is thickened. Drain linguine; top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts :

MEXICAN CHICKEN PENNE



Mexican Chicken Penne image

This hearty pasta meal from Marti Gutwein of Rensselaer, Indiana is packed with flavor, chicken, veggies and cheese. It's also creamy, colorful and quick!

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1-1/4 cups salsa con queso dip
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large tomato, chopped
3 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, dip, milk and salt. , Drain pasta; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and toss to coat. Top with black beans, tomato, onions and cheese; heat through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 519 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 782mg sodium, Carbohydrate 76g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 8g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

PENNE WITH CHEESY MEAT SAUCE



Penne With Cheesy Meat Sauce image

Very easy, yummy, and cheesy! Ready in 30 minutes. Note: Add 1/2 cup chopped mush rooms when sautéing garlic.

Provided by Rachchow

Categories     Penne

Time 30m

Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb penne, uncooked
1 -1 1/2 lb ground beef
2 finely minced garlic cloves
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups smooth tomato sauce (not chunky)
1 pinch black pepper
fresh basil
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cups tex mex cheese or 8 slices processed cheese
parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook penne until done; rinse and drain.
  • Meanwhile, brown ground beef in large skillet; remove from pan and drain. In same skillet, sauté garlic (and mush rooms) in olive oil. Return meat to skillet with mush rooms over low heat; add tomato sauce, pepper, and basil.
  • Dissolve cornstarch in 3 tablespoons milk; mix in remaining milk. Add to meat and stir over low heat until slightly thickened. Add processed cheese slices and stir until melted. Toss with hot pasta. Sprinkle generously with parmesan.
  • You can replace the penne with fusilli or elbow macaroni. Use just about any kind of cheese you want. Tex mex worked very well.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 867.7, Fat 33.4, SaturatedFat 14.2, Cholesterol 118.8, Sodium 853.5, Carbohydrate 101.4, Fiber 14.1, Sugar 4.4, Protein 42.2

CHEESY TEX MEX CHICKEN PENNE



Cheesy Tex Mex Chicken Penne image

Salsa is the key to making a quick sauce with lots of flavour. Try it in this cheesy pasta and chicken breast skillet recipe.

Provided by Cracker Barrel

Categories     CRACKER BARREL Shreds

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 cups penne pasta, uncooked
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 ¼ cups salsa
1 large green pepper, cut into thin strips
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups CRACKER BARREL Shredded Tex Mex Cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
  • Meanwhile, cook chicken in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 2 min. Add salsa, peppers and corn; stir. Bring to boil; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain pasta. Add to chicken mixture; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese. Remove from heat; cover. Let stand 1 min. or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 978.2 calories, Carbohydrate 139.3 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Fat 20.1 g, Fiber 8.7 g, Protein 64.1 g, SaturatedFat 10.2 g, Sodium 926.1 mg, Sugar 10.5 g

TEX-MEX CHEESY CHICKEN CHOWDER



Tex-Mex Cheesy Chicken Chowder image

This came highly recommended from one of my co-workers and, honestly, I was kind of skeptical because of a couple of the ingredients. I'm usually not interested in recipes that have convenience foods in them but I gave this one a shot and, boy, is it good! I'm still not thrilled with the Velveeta and would like to find an easy-melting cheese to replace it so if anyone trying this recipe can come up with something, I'm all ears! This makes up a big pot of thick, hearty chowder that would be perfect for a Super Bowl party, or any get-together with lots of guys and kids...it's just something that would appeal to that group, you know? You can easily adjust the heat by the type of salsa you use....I used a mild salsa and it was perfect for us. Oh, my co-worker's neighbor got this recipe from Midwest Living magazine.

Provided by Hey Jude

Categories     Chowders

Time 40m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 large onion, chopped
1 cup thinly sliced celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon oil
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite size pieces (I used 3 breast halves, they were big)
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (32 ounce) package frozen hash brown potatoes (loose-pack diced)
1 (2 2/3 ounce) package country gravy mix
2 cups milk
1 (8 ounce) package processed cheese spread, cut into chunks (such as Velveeta)
1 (16 ounce) jar chunky salsa
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can diced green chilies
corn chips

Steps:

  • In a 6-quart Dutch oven, cook and stir onion, celery and garlic in hot oil over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until onion is tender; add chicken and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes or till no longer pink; add broth and potatoes; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 12-15 minutes or till potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
  • In a medium bowl, dissolve gravy mix into milk; stir milk mixture into soup mixture; stir in cheese, salsa and green chilies, reduce heat to low; cook and stir till cheese is melted.
  • Serve with corn chips.

Tips:

  • Prep Your Ingredients: Before starting, ensure all your ingredients are measured, chopped, and ready to use. This streamlines the cooking process and prevents scrambling during the cooking process.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients impart the best flavors to your dish. If possible, use fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices for optimal taste and texture.
  • Cook the Chicken Thoroughly: To ensure food safety and prevent undercooked chicken, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for whole pieces and 175°F (79°C) for ground chicken.
  • Don't Overcook the Pasta: Pasta should be cooked al dente, meaning it should have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta becomes mushy and loses its texture.
  • Use a Large Pan: When cooking the chicken and vegetables, use a large pan to prevent overcrowding. Crowding the pan causes uneven cooking and steaming instead of searing.
  • Season to Taste: Always taste your dish before serving and adjust seasonings as needed. This ensures that the flavors are balanced and to your liking.

Conclusion:

This delectable Cheesy Tex-Mex Chicken Penne combines bold flavors and textures into a hearty and satisfying meal. With juicy chicken, tender pasta, a creamy cheese sauce, and a kick of Tex-Mex spices, this dish tantalizes taste buds and leaves you craving more. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick and flavorful dinner option. Whether you're hosting a casual get-together or simply looking for a tasty family meal, this Cheesy Tex-Mex Chicken Penne will surely impress. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary adventure that promises to delight your senses.

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