Spicy Tomato Chicken Pasta (Printer-friendly)

Penne pasta with zesty chili tomato sauce and tender seared chicken. A hearty, flavorful 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 (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, 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

# Steps:

01 - Cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining and setting aside.
02 - 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. Let rest 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 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and chili, cooking 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Stir in reserved pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency. Adjust seasoning as 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 desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It delivers restaurant-level flavor with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
  • The spicy tomato sauce clings perfectly to every piece of penne, creating that ideal bite every single time.
  • Juicy seared chicken adds protein and turns simple pasta into a complete, satisfying meal.
  • You can easily dial the heat up or down depending on who is sitting at your table.
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving pasta water, that starchy liquid is what transforms a good sauce into one that clings perfectly.
  • Let the chicken rest after searing or all those delicious juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying inside the meat.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, this is your chance to adjust salt, sugar, or heat without guessing later.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet for the chicken to get an even, deeply caramelized crust that adds extra flavor.
  • Toast the dried oregano in the pan for 30 seconds before adding the tomatoes to wake up its oils and aroma.
  • If the sauce tastes too acidic, stir in an extra pinch of sugar rather than more salt.
  • Slice the chicken against the grain so each strip stays tender and easy to chew.
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