Step 1: Season and Cook the Chicken

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Make sure to coat both sides evenly.
2. Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts to the pan. Sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
3. Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, making the chicken tender and juicy.
4. Slice the Chicken: After the chicken has rested, slice it into thin strips or bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

1. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add the Chicken Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This adds extra flavor to your sauce.
3. Stir in the Cream: Once the broth has simmered for a couple of minutes, stir in the heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
4. Add the Cream Cheese and Cheese: Cut the cream cheese into small chunks and stir it into the sauce until it melts completely. Then, add the shredded cheddar cheese and continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
5. Season the Sauce: Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if needed. If you want the sauce to be a bit spicier, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some crushed red pepper flakes.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

1. Boil the Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 9-11 minutes, until al dente.
2. Drain the Pasta: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water in case you need to adjust the sauce’s consistency.

Step 4: Combine the Pasta and Sauce

1. Combine: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy southwest sauce. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce, adding a little of the reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
2. Add the Chicken: Add the sliced chicken into the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the dish and everything is coated in that creamy, flavorful sauce.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

1. Plate the Pasta: Divide the creamy southwest chicken pasta into individual servings.
2. Garnish: Sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness. You can also add a dollop of sour cream on top for an extra creamy touch.
3. Serve Hot: Serve this dish immediately while it’s hot and creamy, perfect for a comforting meal.