Spicy Tomato Chicken Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

Tender penne in chili-infused tomato sauce with juicy seared chicken. A hearty, flavorful meal ready in 40 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

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

→ Chicken

03 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 12 ounces
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 ounces) 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 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
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 to 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 fresh or dried 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 allow flavors to meld.
05 - Stir in reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired sauce consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Add cooked penne to the sauce and toss until well coated. Fold in or top with sliced chicken strips.
07 - Transfer to serving bowls or plates. Top with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like effort but comes together in under an hour, which feels like cheating in the best way.
  • The chili-spiked tomato sauce clings to every piece of penne, so no bite is ever bland.
  • Juicy seared chicken on top makes it filling enough to silence even the hungriest dinner crowd.
  • You can dial the heat up or down without losing any of the flavor.
02 -
  • Dont skip reserving the pasta water, it contains starch that helps the sauce cling instead of sliding off.
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking or the juices will run out when you slice it, leaving the meat dry.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, its easier to adjust seasoning when the sauce is on its own.
03 -
  • Use a potato masher to break down the crushed tomatoes if you prefer a smoother sauce texture.
  • Toast the dried oregano in the pan for 30 seconds before adding the tomatoes to wake up its flavor.
  • If the sauce tastes too acidic even after adding sugar, stir in a tiny pinch of baking soda to neutralize it.
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