Cheesy Salsa and Chicken Pasta Skillet

I think it has been pretty well established that it has been and continues to be insanely hot. Especially for those of us who live in the North and think the 80's are plenty warm. But not to worry, next Thursday it's cooling off to 92! 

I think it also has been agreed upon that the thought of turning on your oven makes both your poor struggling air conditioner and you cringe.

So, we have been consuming loads of lettuce salads in an attempt to fill ourselves without melting. However, as much as I love a good salad, sometimes I really want something more hearty. Something that tastes like I went to a lot of work to make it but actually didn't.

Enter this pasta skillet. No melting involved. Throw in your favorite veggies or whatever you have on hand. Add some chicken and whole grain pasta and cheese, you can't forget the cheese! 

And you have yourself a filling meal that should have caused you to break a sweat but didn't. :) Happy Wednesday!


Cheesy Salsa and Chicken Pasta Skillet
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 C uncooked whole grain pasta of your choice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 garlic clove, coarsely minced
• 1 1/2 C chunky salsa of your choice
• 1 C frozen corn, thawed
• 1/3 C green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 C red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 1 C cooked black beans
• 1/4 C red onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 C reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package. Remove from heat. Drain and cover.
2. While pasta is cooking, drizzle olive oil in large skillet. Add chicken and season with salt, onion powder, black pepper, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until slightly pink, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in salsa, corn, peppers, black beans, onion, and cheese. Bring to boil and simmer on medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
4. Add pasta to chicken mixture and stir to combine. Let stand for 5 minutes to allow sauce to thicken before serving.