Categories: Chicken, Dinner, Favorite

Ingredients

• Salt $
• 12 ounces linguine $
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter $
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped $
• 1/2 onion, diced $
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 6-oz. can tomato paste $
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour $
• 4 cups milk $
• 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 2 cups four-cheese Mexican blend
• 4 cups diced cooked chicken (from a rotisserie bird)
• Chopped cilantro, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F; mist a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 10 minutes or as package directs. Drain.

2. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder and 2 tsp. salt; sauté until onion is tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes longer.

3. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, whisking, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and 1 cup cheese. Cook, whisking, for 1 minute or until cheese melts.

4. Remove from heat. Stir in chicken and pasta. Scrape into baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. (Preheat broiler to high and broil casserole for a minute to brown, if desired.) Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired; serve.

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