Cilantro Lime Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Vibrant pasta with tender shredded chicken tossed in a tangy cilantro-lime yogurt sauce. Fresh, flavorful, and ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta and Chicken

01 - 12 ounces rotini pasta
02 - 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast, rotisserie or poached

→ 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 crumbled cotija or feta cheese
14 - Extra chopped cilantro
15 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

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 - Transfer cooked rotini and shredded chicken to a large bowl. Pour cilantro-lime yogurt sauce over the pasta and chicken. Toss thoroughly until evenly coated.
04 - Taste the dish and adjust salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed to achieve desired flavor balance.
05 - Transfer to serving plates or bowls. Garnish with crumbled cotija or feta cheese, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Greek yogurt sauce delivers all the creamy satisfaction of heavy cream but with protein and tang instead of guilt
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes using mostly pantry staples and leftover chicken
  • The fresh lime and cilantro wake up plain pasta in a way that makes dinner feel like an occasion
02 -
  • The sauce will thin out as it sits, so if you are making this ahead, reserve a quarter cup of the sauce to refresh before serving
  • Adding a chopped jalapeño to the blender creates a spicy version that my husband absolutely insists on
03 -
  • Room temperature yogurt blends more smoothly into the sauce, so pull it out of the fridge while you cook the pasta
  • Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick after refrigeration
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