Spicy Tomato Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender penne in chili-infused tomato sauce topped with juicy seared chicken. A hearty, flavorful Italian-American main dish.

# Required Ingredients:

→ 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 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

# Directions:

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.
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. Rest 2 minutes, then slice into strips.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced 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 reserved pasta water into sauce to achieve desired consistency. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Toss cooked penne into sauce until well coated. Fold in chicken strips or arrange on top.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chili-spiked tomato sauce clings to every ridge of the penne, giving you bold flavor in every single bite.
  • Seared chicken stays juicy and smoky, turning simple pasta into a satisfying, protein-packed dinner.
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights when you want something hearty without the fuss.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on your mood or who is sitting at your table.
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving the pasta water, it is the secret to a silky sauce that clings instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
  • Let the chicken rest after searing, cutting it too soon releases all the juices and leaves you with dry, sad strips.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, because once everything is mixed, it is much harder to adjust the seasoning properly.
03 -
  • Salt your pasta water generously, it should taste like the sea, because this is your only chance to season the pasta itself.
  • Use a hot pan for the chicken and resist the urge to move it around, letting it sit creates that golden, caramelized crust.
  • If the sauce tastes too acidic, add another pinch of sugar or a tiny splash of cream to mellow it out.
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