Description
Spicy Chicken Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce is a quick and easy dish combining tender chicken, creamy tomato sauce, and a fiery kick of red chili flakes. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners, this recipe balances bold flavors and comforting creaminess in one simple skillet meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
Sauce and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce (canned or fresh blended)
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Finishing Touches
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed, then toss in finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes, to build a savory flavor base.
- Build the Creamy Tomato Sauce: Pour in tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes and stir well with the aromatics. Add red chili flakes to infuse heat. Once simmering, pour in the heavy cream and mix until the sauce thickens slightly and turns a pinkish-orange color.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a little pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Combine and Finish: Return cooked chicken to the sauce and stir to coat thoroughly. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together, warming through so the sauce clings well. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
Notes
- Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Adjust red chili flakes gradually to balance spice according to your preference.
- Add fresh basil or parsley at the end of cooking to preserve their aromatic freshness.
- Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce naturally without losing flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente to ensure it mixes well without becoming mushy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: spicy chicken pasta, creamy tomato sauce, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, one-pot pasta, creamy chicken pasta