Spicy Tomato Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender penne tossed in zesty chili tomato sauce with juicy seared chicken. A hearty, flavorful Italian-American main dish ready in 40 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta
02 - Salt for boiling water

→ Chicken

03 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz)
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Chili Tomato Sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
10 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1 red chili, finely chopped or 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
12 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
13 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 teaspoon sugar
16 - Salt and pepper to taste
17 - 1/4 cup reserved pasta water

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# Method:

01 - Cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Let rest 2 minutes, then slice into strips.
03 - In a large sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and chili, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Stir in the reserved pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency. Adjust seasoning if needed.
06 - Toss cooked penne into the sauce until well coated. Add chicken strips on top or fold into the pasta.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if using.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms simple pantry staples into something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • The balance of heat and sweetness makes every bite interesting without overwhelming your palate.
  • You can adjust the spice level easily, so it works whether youre cooking for kids or chili lovers.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have melded together.
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving the pasta water, regular water will not bind the sauce the same way.
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking or it will lose all its juices when you slice it.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, its much easier to adjust seasoning when the sauce is on its own.
03 -
  • Use a large saute pan for tossing the pasta with the sauce, it prevents spills and coats everything evenly.
  • If the sauce tastes too acidic, add another pinch of sugar instead of more salt.
  • Slice the chicken against the grain for the most tender bites.
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