It's time to refresh ourselves with this Spicy Chicken Pasta. This mildly hot, juicy, moist chicken in a creamy yogurt sauce is ready in under 30 minutes, and you can effortlessly serve the family a satisfying dinner.
I absolutely LOVE quick and effortless recipes that feel like a feast. And this spicy chicken pasta recipe is the BEST example!
Pasta recipes (including this chicken curry pasta) are my all-time favorites. And I always store frozen chicken in the freezer, as it's very convenient to make super quick recipes like this.
Every spoonful of spicy chicken pasta is irresistible and delivers restaurant-quality food. Perfect for cozy evenings or casual dinner parties. Let's know how this recipe turns out in your home!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
⭐️Packed with rich flavors and tastes!
⭐️Effortless one-pot dish with simple ingredients.
⭐️Perfect weekday dinner.
Ingredients
- Chicken: I have used chicken thighs(which are better for the flavors of this spicy chicken pasta). However, you may substitute with chicken breast as well.
- Pasta: I prefer penne or other varieties of pasta that can hold the sauce. For today's recipe, I've used ziti pasta.
- Onion: I have used red onions, but yellow onions are equally good in this recipe.
- Diced tomato: Fire-roasted diced tomatoes are sumptuous for their intense flavor, but you can also use freshly chopped tomatoes.
- Garlic powder: The flavor booster.
- Greek yogurt provides creaminess and a pleasant tangy taste to the sauce, reflected in every bite. Additionally, it gives a luscious, silky texture. Hence, you will not be missing the cheese in this recipe.
- Cilantro: Brighten up the whole dish(like this spicy rigatoni), but you can also substitute the word parsley or dried parsley.
- Jalapeno & red pepper flakes: Adjust the quantity according to your heat tolerance.
How To Make Spicy Chicken Pasta?
- Marinate chicken with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and salt. Add olive oil and marinated chicken and cook for about 12 mins. Then slice into strips and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté jalapeño and onion until translucent.
- Add diced tomato, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, cayenne, chicken stock, ground cumin, and salt. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add cooked pasta, Greek yogurt, and chicken strips to the sauce. Toss well and garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!
Storage & Reheating
Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days or frozen in Ziploc bags or freezer-safe containers for up to two months.
You can reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Reheat it over medium heat until warm, adding a splash of water to moisten it.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Pasta: Swap ziti pasta for penne, bow tie, fusilli, or rotini(like this Tajin-spiced chicken).
- Greek yogurt: Feel free to substitute it with cream cheese, plain yogurt, or sour cream.
- Salad: Toss it over the salad and make a spicy chicken pasta salad.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat?
This spicy chicken pasta has a noticeable heat. The red pepper flakes and jalapeño combine to provide a flavorful kick.
Reduce the red pepper flakes or use milder peppers, like bell peppers, to control the heat.
FAQ
You can skip the cream or use a dairy-free alternative like coconut or cashew cream.
Serve with vegetable sides like roasted vegetables. Additionally, pair it with delicious salads such as fresco salad or spicy kale salad to complement this spicy chicken pasta's texture and flavors.
Absolutely! Vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, zucchini, or broccoli taste great in this dish. Sauté them along with the garlic and chicken.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Spicy Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For marinating the chicken
- 1 chicken thigh
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the sauce
- 6 ounces cooked pasta /3 cups uncooked pasta
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion medium sized roughly chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 10 oz diced tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup chicken stock
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, add chicken thigh, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and salt.
- Toss it until the spices coats the chicken well.
- Set aside for 20 minutes to get marinated.
Cook the pasta
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to the package instructions.
- Drain and set aside.
Cook the chicken
- Place a skillet over the medium heat, add olive oil and the marinated chicken thigh.
- Cook by flipping occasionaly-for 12-14 minutes or until the center is thoroughly cooked.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and cut into strips.
Make the sauce
- Over medium heat, in the same pan add olive oil, jalapeno pepper, and chopped onion.
- Sauté until the onion turns translucent.
- Then add diced tomato along with the liquid, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, cayenne powder, chicken stock, ground cumin, and salt.
- Bring it to boil, and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add cooked pasta and the chicken strips.
- And toss until the sauce coats each pasta well.
- And finally sprinkle chopped cilantro as garnishing. Enjoy!!
Notes
- Adjust the heat by reducing red pepper flakes or using milder peppers like bell peppers.
- Store the leftover pasta in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for 2 months.
- Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water to retain its moisture.
Aimee Mars says
I've been looking for the perfect spicy chicken and loved that this had pasta with it. The textures and flavors were incredible. Will be adding this to our monthly dinner rotation.
pepperbowl says
AMAZING! Thank you Aimee!
Tayler says
We had this pasta for dinner last night and it was incredible! So full of flavor and totally delicious!
pepperbowl says
Yay! Thanks Tayler!