Cilantro Lime Chicken Pasta (Printable)

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

# What You'll 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 tablespoons fresh lime juice
06 - 1 teaspoon lime zest
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon 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 in a colander and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, 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 smooth and vibrant green.
03 - In a large bowl, toss the cooked rotini and shredded chicken with the cilantro-lime yogurt sauce until evenly coated.
04 - Taste the dish and adjust salt, lime juice, or spices as needed to achieve desired flavor balance.
05 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with crumbled cotija or feta cheese, additional fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The Greek yogurt sauce delivers all the creaminess you crave without feeling heavy or weighing you down afterward
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that feels special but doesn't require hours in the kitchen
02 -
  • The sauce will thicken slightly as it sits, so if you're planning to serve this as a pasta salad cold, thin it with a tablespoon of water or lime juice before serving
  • Don't let the pasta overcook while boiling, since it will continue to soften when tossed with the warm sauce
03 -
  • Reserve about half a cup of pasta water before draining, and add it to the sauce if it seems too thick when tossing
  • If making ahead, store the sauce separately from the pasta and chicken, then toss right before serving to keep everything from getting soggy
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