Name: Chipotle Chicken Pasta Casserole
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes; 2 cloves garlic; 1/2 cup coarsely chopped white onion; 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt (divided, or to taste); 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more to taste to season chicken); 2 tablespoons sauce from chipotles in adobo (or to taste); 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce (seeded, or to taste, optional); 1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 6 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided); 1 pound penne or elbow pasta; 3 cups chicken broth (homemade or store bought); 2 cups grated melty cheese (such as Oaxaca, Monterey Jack or mozzarella, 8 ounces); 1 ripe Mexican avocado (halved, pitted, meat scooped out and cut into slices (optional for garnish)); Mexican crema (Latin-style cream, crème fraiche or sour cream (optional for garnish))