Chipotle Chicken Pasta
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This spicy and creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta will ignite your taste buds with a smoky chipotle sauce, tender chicken, and a hearty pasta base. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner bursting with bold flavor and an easy-to-make meal sure to satisfy.
If you love a bit of sweetness in your dishes, try my Honey Garlic Chicken with Broccoli next!
Sometimes, I get tired of the same old pasta recipes, and that’s when I like to get a little creative. That’s how Chipotle Chicken Pasta came to be. With a smoky, spicy twist and the perfect creamy sauce, this dish is one of my new favorites.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this chipotle chicken pasta:
Ingredient Notes
Pasta – Penne or fusilli hold onto the sauce well. Cook just until al dente for the best texture. You can also use whole wheat pasta for more fiber.
Chicken breast – Cube it for even cooking and a tender bite. Pat dry before seasoning to help it brown better. Swap: Chicken thighs for a juicier option or shrimp for a seafood twist.
Chipotle sauce – d Chipotle Pepper Sauce by Tabasco.Start with a small amount and adjust based on heat preference. Swap: Blend chipotle peppers in adobo with a little sour cream for a homemade version
Recipe Variations
Toss in bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
Add a dash of cayenne pepper or extra chipotle sauce if you love the heat.
Swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
How to Make Chipotle Chicken Pasta: Step by Step
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Pour in the heavy cream and chipotle sauce, stirring well to combine.
Step 3: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken in the sauce.
Step 4: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Fusilli or penne work best because their shapes trap the sauce, ensuring each bite is flavorful.
You can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance and combine them with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.
If the chipotle sauce is too spicy, reduce the amount and balance it with a little more cream or a touch of honey for sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Boneless skinless chicken thighs also work, offering more flavor and moisture.
You can substitute the heavy cream with a dairy-free cream alternative like coconut cream and use a dairy-free cheese.
Try using a combination of smoked paprika and a small amount of hot sauce for a similar smoky and spicy flavor.
I hope you love this chipotle chicken pasta. Please consider leaving a star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below. Thank you so much!
More Chicken Recipes
Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz cooked pasta penne or fusilli
- 1 lb chicken breast cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1-2 tablespoons chipotle sauce adjust to taste
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Pour in the heavy cream and chipotle sauce, stirring well to combine.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken in the sauce.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
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