Cilantro Lime Chicken Pasta

# 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 crumbled cotija or feta cheese

14 - Extra chopped cilantro

15 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain 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 pasta and shredded chicken with the cilantro-lime yogurt sauce until evenly coated throughout.

04 - Taste the dish and adjust salt, pepper, or lime juice to achieve desired flavor balance.

05 - Serve immediately in bowls, garnished with crumbled cheese, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -

The creamy sauce feels indulgent but comes from protein-packed Greek yogurt
Its ready in 40 minutes but tastes like something that simmered all day
The leftover potential is ridiculous, cold or hot, its perfection

02 -

The sauce thickens up in the fridge, so thin it with a splash of water or more lime juice when reheating leftovers
Dont skip the lime zest, it contains all those fragrant oils that make the sauce taste bright and fresh
If the sauce tastes too sharp right after blending, let it sit for 5 minutes, the flavors mellow beautifully

03 -