Cilantro Lime Chicken Pasta (Printable version)

Tender chicken and rotini in a tangy cilantro-lime yogurt sauce. Ready in 40 minutes.

# 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

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well 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 - Place cooked rotini and shredded chicken in a large bowl. Pour the cilantro-lime sauce over the top and toss thoroughly until pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
04 - Taste the dish and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Serve immediately topped with crumbled cotija or feta cheese, additional chopped cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Greek yogurt sauce keeps it creamy without being heavy like traditional pasta dishes
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes with ingredients you probably already have
  • The zesty lime and fresh cilantro make ordinary pasta taste like a restaurant meal
02 -
  • The sauce will taste quite tangy on its own but balances perfectly once tossed with the pasta
  • This pasta is best enjoyed immediately but actually makes excellent leftovers for lunch the next day
03 -
  • Reserve some pasta water before draining to thin the sauce if it seems too thick
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly than cold ones
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