Spicy Tomato Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

Penne pasta with juicy seared chicken and spicy chili tomato sauce. A hearty, flavorful Italian-American dinner 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)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - 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. 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. Add minced garlic and chili, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Pour in reserved pasta water 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 chicken strips or arrange on top.
07 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It delivers serious flavor without fancy ingredients or complicated techniques.
  • The spicy tomato sauce clings to every piece of penne, and the seared chicken adds that satisfying protein hit.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on who is sitting at your table.
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, perfect for a weeknight when you want something hearty but don't want to be stuck in the kitchen all night.
02 -
  • Always reserve pasta water before draining, it is the secret to making the sauce silky and helping it stick to the noodles.
  • Don't skip resting the chicken after searing, cutting into it too soon will let all the juices run out and leave it dry.
  • If your sauce tastes too sharp or acidic, a small pinch of sugar will balance it without making it sweet.
  • Fresh chili varies wildly in heat, so taste a tiny piece before adding the whole thing to avoid setting your mouth on fire.
03 -
  • Season your pasta water generously with salt, it should taste like the sea, because this is your only chance to season the pasta itself.
  • Use a hot skillet for the chicken and resist the urge to move it around, a good sear only happens when the meat stays still.
  • If your sauce looks too thick, thin it out with pasta water instead of plain water, the starch helps everything emulsify and cling together.
  • Fresh basil added right before serving keeps its bright green color and aromatic punch, dried basil can't replicate that freshness.
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