Southwestern Chicken Cavatappi

Course Chicken, Main Course

Cuisine American, Southern, Southwestern Inspired

Keyword chicken-casseroles, easy-chicken-recipes, southwestern-chicken-cavatappi

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 630kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

12 oz dry cavatappi pasta
5 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup all purpose flour
3 cup milk
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese divided
3 Tbsp taco or fiesta seasoning i.e. McCormick
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp Mexican oregano
3 cup roughly chopped rotisserie chicken
1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn with peppers thawed
1/2 cup thick and chunky salsa plus additional for serving
4 green onion sliced (Reserve 2 Tbsp for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Cook the pasta in salted water per the package directions until al dente then drain well.
In a heavy bottomed saucepan melt the butter then add the flour. Cook over medium-high stirring until the flour has dissolved.
Whisk in the garlic salt, pepper and 3 cups milk. Bring to a boil, then immediately lower the heat to medium-low whisking constantly. Allow to gently bubble for 5 minutes then add 2 cups cheese.
Remove from the heat stirring until the cheese melts. Add the taco seasoning, ground cumin and oregano mixing well.
Add the cooked pasta, chopped chicken, black beans, corn and green onions to a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce on top and mix well.
Pour 1/2 into the baking dish. Dollop the salsa over the pasta, then sprinkle lightly with 3/4 cup pepper Jack cheese. Top with the remaining pasta and finish with the last 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until bubbly around the edge and the cheese is golden.
Serve immediately garnished with green onion and with additional salsa on top, if desired..

Notes

Cavatappi or corkscrew pasta is a twisted elbow pasta with ridges. Large elbow macaroni could be used, if desired.
It's important to use a thick and chunky salsa either mild, medium or hot your preference.

Nutrition