Buy marinated chicken fajita meat at the grocery store, choosing the one with the lowest sodium, or marinate chicken tenders in a low-sodium fajita marinade. You can even use leftover cooked chicken or lean beef. Warm it with the pasta and sauce.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4, heaping 1 3/4 cups per serving

　　8 ounces dried rigatoni

　　8 ounces uncooked marinated chicken fajita meat, all visible fat discarded

　　1 teaspoon olive oil

　　2 cups frozen bell pepper strips or 1 large green bell pepper and 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced

　　3/4 cup frozen chopped onion or 1 large onion, thinly sliced

　　3/4 cup fat-free evaporated milk

　　1 teaspoon bottled chipotle sauce

　　1/8 teaspoon pepper

　　1/4 cup sliced black olives, drained

　　1 medium tomato (yellow preferred), cut into 8 wedges

　　

Step 1

Prepare the pasta using the package directions, omitting the salt and oil. Drain well in a colander. Return to the pan and turn off the heat. Set aside.

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, thinly slice the chicken.

　　

Step 3

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the bell peppers and onion for about 3 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally. Push to one side of the skillet.

　　

Step 4

Add the chicken and cook until browned, stirring occasionally (just the chicken). Stir to incorporate the bell pepper mixture. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, 6 to 8 minutes total, stirring occasionally.

　　

Step 5

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the evaporated milk, chipotle sauce, and pepper.

　　

Step 6

Stir the chicken mixture and the evaporated milk mixture into the cooked pasta. Cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until warmed, stirring occasionally.

　　

Step 7

Garnish with the olives and tomato.

　　

Cook’s Tip on Chipotle Sauce

Step 8

Dried chipotle (chih-POHT-lay) peppers add great smoky flavor to many dishes, such as soups, salsas, and beans. However, rehydrating the peppers takes some time. To quickly add that spicy-smoky flavor to your favorite dish, use bottled chipotle sauce. Find it in the condiment or Mexican section of your grocery store.

　　

nutrition information

Step 9

(Per Serving)

　　

Step 10

Calories: 347

　　

Step 11

Total Fat: 3.5g

　　

Step 12

Saturated: 0.5g

　　

Step 13

Trans: 0.0g

　　

Step 14

Polyunsaturated: 0.5g

　　

Step 15

Monounsaturated: 1.5g

　　

Step 16

Cholesterol: 20mg

　　

Step 17

Sodium: 397mg

　　

Step 18

Carbohydrates: 56g

　　

Step 19

Fiber: 3g

　　

Step 20

Sugars: 11g

　　

Step 21

Protein: 22g

　　

Step 22

Dietary Exchanges

　　

Step 23

3 Starch

　　

Step 24

2 Vegetable

　　

Step 25

2 Very Lean Meat

　　American Heart Association Quick & Easy Meals