Cilantro Lime Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender chicken and rotini pasta in a tangy cilantro-lime yogurt sauce with fresh herbs and spices.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta and Chicken

01 - 12 oz rotini pasta
02 - 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast

→ Cilantro-Lime Yogurt Sauce

03 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
05 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
06 - 1 tsp lime zest
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Optional Garnishes

13 - 1/4 cup cotija or feta cheese, crumbled
14 - Extra chopped cilantro
15 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
02 - Combine Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and vibrant green.
03 - Transfer cooked pasta and shredded chicken to a large mixing bowl. Pour the cilantro-lime sauce over the top and toss gently until evenly coated.
04 - Taste the pasta and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately topped with crumbled cotija or feta cheese, additional chopped cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce delivers all the richness of heavy cream but with protein and a zesty kick that keeps you coming back for seconds
  • Everything comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for those weeknights when you want something special but do not have hours to spend cooking
02 -
  • The sauce will look quite thick when you first blend it, but the heat from the pasta thins it out perfectly so do not be tempted to add water or milk
  • This dish does not reheat as well as some pasta dishes because the yogurt can sometimes separate when exposed to high heat for too long, so I recommend enjoying it fresh or serving leftovers cold
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so let your yogurt and lime juice sit out for about 15 minutes before starting
  • If your sauce seems too thick after blending, add just one teaspoon of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency
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