My little sis is an art teacher and has the summer off, so we are going to prowl around museums, take some long walks in the sunshine, and catch up on all things sisterly. Then comes time for just about the biggest blogger conference ever — BlogHer ’13. A bunch of my favorite bloggers are going to be in town, and I can’t wait to hang out downtown and conference it up with them.
But the main reason I actually planned this trip was for a chance to visit the U.S. headquarters of one of my all-time favorite stores — ALDI! Many of you may remember that I did a 3-part series on the store this past year, sharing tips on How To Shop At ALDI, What To Buy At ALDI, and Why I Shop At ALDI. (Which, as a sidenote, those posts have turned into some of the all-time most popular posts on this site — you all apparently love to read about ALDI!)
After I published the posts, I actually had the chance to get connected with some of the great folks at ALDI headquarters. And they invited me to come to Chicago for a special Test Kitchen event with a bunch of great bloggers! I was stoked!!! You all know that I work with a bunch of brands to help support this blog. But this was one of the first times that I have blogged on my own about a brand I’ve loved for years, and it led to the chance to work together. I’m so excited!
Anyway, I promise to blog about the experience to share it with you. From exclusive product tastings, to a hands-on interactive meal planning challenge, to a session on food styling, to a behind-the-scenes tour of a Chicagoland store and more, it sounds like an awesome time celebrating one of my favorite stores! So to get ready in advance, I decided to cook up a little ALDI-inspired dish for you this week.
This one was actually inspired by my friend, Maux. She is one of my fellow book-clubbers, a faithful social organizer of all things awesome, a committed student and advocate for sustainable aid in Africa, and she’s also a co-author of a new social justice blog that I love. But she also happens to be a total foodie! So when she insisted I try some leftover creamy Mexican chicken pasta that she loved from a local restaurant, I knew it would be good.
Let me tell you…it was.
I realized when I was tasting it that I didn’t have any sort of Mexi pasta dishes on the blog. So this week I hopped over to ALDI and picked up the ingredients to whip up a Mexican chicken pasta of my own. I was especially excited to try out ALDI’s new organic chicken breasts (featured alongside the new grass-fed organic beef I spied there this week!), and also try out a slightly healthier cream sauce made with low-fat cream cheese instead of heavy cream.
It turned out to be fantastic! I made an initial version using chipotle seasoning, but the flavor kind of overpowered everything. So I made a second batch with some classic Mexican chili-cumin-cayenne seasoning, along with some fresh cilantro, and it was the winner. Definitely a flavorful, quick and delicious pasta recipe to make any time of the year.
In a small bowl, whisk together chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne until combined. Take half of the seasoning mixture and set it aside.
Take the other half, and sprinkle it evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook for 3 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes. Then slice into thin strips and set aside.
Meanwhile, return the skillet to the heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the red onion, tomatoes, corn and garlic and saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cream cheese and milk gradually, stirring constantly until the cheese melts completely. (And also be sure that they cheese does not burn on the bottom of the skillet.) Stir in the remaining seasoning mixture, black beans, and cilantro until combined. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Remove from heat, then gently stir in the avocado and pasta. Serve immediately with additional toppings if desired.
Disclaimer: This is a compensated post from ALDI. I am stoked to be working with them on this Test Kitchen Event, and all opinions are 100% my own as always. More to come on this fun event!
I love Aldi. I shop there every week. I’m a nerd and typed up a list of products I purchase on the regular so I can use it as an at-home checklist. The savings are unbelievable. This pasta recipe looks delicious.
This pasta is my kind of pasta! Creamy and mexican and with avocado too? YUM! Completely awesome, Ali!
Have such a fun time in Chicago!! Your trip sounds like it is going to be a blast!
How exciting!! You know, I just had my first Aldi experience two months ago and I LOVED IT! It’s a few towns away, and it totally reminded me of the supermarkets in Spain and Italy. I couldn’t believe how cheap it was!
Now, this recipe looks deeelicious. I think I have most of the ingredients on hand, so I’m going to have to whip it up soon :)
Congrats on your new opportunity to work with ALDI! That’s so exciting! This pasta looks delicious and like it would be super easy to pull together with stuff I usually have on hand! Yum!
Yum! I agree I love the flavor of chipotle but sometimes it does really take over a dish. Loving the use of chili, cumin and cayenne. And I really wish I was going to Chicago. Have a blast!!
This sounds so delish!! I can’t wait to follow you along during BH Chicago!! My sister went to college and lived there for many years – it was always fun visiting her. Enjoy Chi Town!!
What a fun trip! Can’t wait to hear how it goes. Having an Aldi just around the corner is one of the few things I miss about our tiny newlywed apartment. May just have to make the trip though–grass fed beef and organic chicken breasts? I’m impressed!
I made this on Monday and my husband requested we put it in the regular rotation and I have no objections! So yummy, just thinking about it makes my mouth water!
I made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing! I should also add that I can’t have dairy and j stead used vegan cream cheese and almond milk. Worked like a charm!
Could you tell me where I could find the nutritional values for your recipes you post on here. I generally just make them and eat them knowing they are a lot healthier than a lot of recipes but I have been really keeping a close count on my calorie intake and was wondering. Can’t wait to try this for tomorrow night’s dinner!
Christina
Erika —
I plugged this recipe into myfitnesspal – with 12oz of boneless, skinless chicken, regular penne, and all 4tbsp of olive oil included (not sure if you actually eat that much but whatever) – it came out to 776 calories per serving.
THIS PASTA IS AMAZING! I didn’t even do any of the toppings and it was FANTASTIC. I cut the chicken into tiny cubes so everything was bitesize and it was delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Hey, I’m Ali!
My favorite thing in life is time spent around the table. And all the better with some seriously tasty food to bring us all together. more about me »
I love Aldi. I shop there every week. I’m a nerd and typed up a list of products I purchase on the regular so I can use it as an at-home checklist. The savings are unbelievable. This pasta recipe looks delicious.
This pasta is my kind of pasta! Creamy and mexican and with avocado too? YUM! Completely awesome, Ali!
Have such a fun time in Chicago!! Your trip sounds like it is going to be a blast!
that must be a delcicious bowl, i love to have it
Wish we had an ALDI here, I’ve heard it’s great. And this is a beautiful pasta..wow. I’m sure I could do some damage on a bowl of this.
Funn!! Im not familiar with ALDI??? Am I missing out? lol And Chicago is a city I have on my bucket list…have fun!
How exciting!! You know, I just had my first Aldi experience two months ago and I LOVED IT! It’s a few towns away, and it totally reminded me of the supermarkets in Spain and Italy. I couldn’t believe how cheap it was!
Now, this recipe looks deeelicious. I think I have most of the ingredients on hand, so I’m going to have to whip it up soon :)
I love Aldi’s! It was because of your posts that I started shopping there and now I tell anyone that will listen how much I love Aldi.
Congrats on your new opportunity to work with ALDI! That’s so exciting! This pasta looks delicious and like it would be super easy to pull together with stuff I usually have on hand! Yum!
Can’t wait to see you in Chicago! I really wish UT had Aldi’s!!
Yum! I agree I love the flavor of chipotle but sometimes it does really take over a dish. Loving the use of chili, cumin and cayenne. And I really wish I was going to Chicago. Have a blast!!
This sounds so delish!! I can’t wait to follow you along during BH Chicago!! My sister went to college and lived there for many years – it was always fun visiting her. Enjoy Chi Town!!
Now that looks very tasty!
What a fun dish! I’m also loving this lighter cream sauce!
I recently used orecchiette pasta in a mexican type meal by kids loved it! Yours looks so good too!
I loved your Aldi posts and I am so excited to get some more information from them. I shop there every week! Have fun!
This looks and sounds absolutely amazing, Ali!!! Love all the flavors <3
What a fun trip! Can’t wait to hear how it goes. Having an Aldi just around the corner is one of the few things I miss about our tiny newlywed apartment. May just have to make the trip though–grass fed beef and organic chicken breasts? I’m impressed!
This looks awesome Ali! I am a weekly shopper at Aldi, absolutely can’t beat it!
Made this dish for dinner today and it was a hit, so delish!! Thanks for sharing!
I am so excited for you, friend!! You are a rockstar!! And this pasta, my favorite town USA!
I made this on Monday and my husband requested we put it in the regular rotation and I have no objections! So yummy, just thinking about it makes my mouth water!
Wow, this pasta salad looks packed with my favorite flavors! I love this :)
I made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing! I should also add that I can’t have dairy and j stead used vegan cream cheese and almond milk. Worked like a charm!
Making it now and it smells amazing! Can’t wait until dinner!
Could you tell me where I could find the nutritional values for your recipes you post on here. I generally just make them and eat them knowing they are a lot healthier than a lot of recipes but I have been really keeping a close count on my calorie intake and was wondering. Can’t wait to try this for tomorrow night’s dinner!
Christina
I plugged this recipe into myfitnesspal – with 12oz of boneless, skinless chicken, regular penne, and all 4tbsp of olive oil included (not sure if you actually eat that much but whatever) – it came out to 776 calories per serving.
Thank you, this creamy mexican chicken pasta is easy to make and very yummy!
THIS PASTA IS AMAZING! I didn’t even do any of the toppings and it was FANTASTIC. I cut the chicken into tiny cubes so everything was bitesize and it was delicious. Thanks for sharing!