Cilantro Lime Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender shredded chicken and rotini tossed in a vibrant cilantro-lime yogurt sauce for a fresh, creamy, and flavorful meal.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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, minced 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 mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta and shredded chicken. Pour the cilantro-lime sauce over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
04 - Taste the dish and adjust salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed to reach desired flavor profile.
05 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with crumbled cotija or feta cheese, additional cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy yogurt sauce feels indulgent but comes together in minutes with ingredients you probably already have
  • Its that perfect balance of tangy, fresh, and satisfying that makes everyone ask for seconds
02 -
  • The sauce thickens up as it sits with the warm pasta, so dont panic if it looks a little thin at first
  • If you want to make this ahead, keep the sauce separate and toss everything together just before serving
03 -
  • Reserve about a half cup of pasta water before draining—you might need it to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick
  • If your blender struggles with the fresh cilantro, add the olive oil first to help everything move smoothly
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