Spicy Tomato Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender penne in a zesty chili-tomato sauce with juicy seared chicken strips. A hearty, flavorful meal 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 (approximately 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 pepper, 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)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining; set pasta 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 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Rest for 2 minutes, then slice into strips.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and chili, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper to the pan. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
05 - Stir reserved pasta water into the sauce to achieve desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Toss cooked penne into the sauce until thoroughly coated. Add chicken strips on top or fold gently into the pasta.
07 - Transfer to serving bowls or plates. Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It delivers restaurant quality flavor in under an hour using ingredients you probably already have.
  • The chili tomato sauce clings to every piece of penne, giving you that perfect bite of heat and tang.
  • Seared chicken strips add satisfying protein without feeling heavy or overdone.
  • You can dial the spice up or down depending on who is at your table.
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving the pasta water, it is the secret to a sauce that clings instead of pools at the bottom of the bowl.
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking or you will lose all the juices when you slice it, leaving the meat dry.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, this is your last chance to fix the seasoning without diluting it.
03 -
  • Toast the dried oregano in the pan for 30 seconds before adding the tomatoes, it wakes up the flavor in a way that skipping this step cannot.
  • Use kitchen shears to snip the basil instead of chopping it with a knife, it bruises less and stays brighter.
  • If the sauce tastes too acidic even after adding sugar, a tiny pinch of baking soda will neutralize it without changing the flavor.
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