Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta Recipe
Creamy and dreamy with a kick of heat this Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta recipe packs a punch of flavor. It’s filled with the perfect blend of chicken, pasta, cheese, and veggies, making this cheesecake factory copycat recipe an irresistible dish you’ll want to make over and over again. Ready in less than an hour, it’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Why You Will Love Making Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
This dish is not just another pasta recipe; it’s a game-changer in your cooking repertoire. Here’s why you’ll be making it on repeat:
- It’s incredibly flavorful: Thanks to the chipotle sauce and fresh vegetables that create a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
- Adaptable: Whether you prefer chicken breasts or chicken thighs, gluten-free pasta, or adding extra veggies, this recipe adapts to your taste and dietary needs.
- Perfect for any occasion: From a cozy family dinner to impressing guests at your next gathering, this creamy pasta recipe fits the bill.
- Easy to make: With simple steps and common ingredients that come together in under an hour, it’s incredibly simple!
- Leftovers (if you have any) are great: They taste even better the next day, making your lunchbox something to look forward to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Making this Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta is super simple, and I’m here to walk you through every step of the way. Let’s get cooking!
Cook Your Pasta
Begin by boiling a large pot of water and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Remember to reserve some pasta water for later—it’s the secret to a silky sauce!
Season and Cook the Chicken
While the pasta is cooking, season your cubed chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add a splash of olive oil, and cook the chicken until it’s browned on all sides. Once done, set the chicken aside.
Sauté the Veggies
In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed, and toss in the onion, fresh garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes over medium heat or until the onion becomes translucent. Add the chopped asparagus and continue to cook until it’s bright green and tender.
Bring It All Together
Return the chicken to the skillet, pour in the chipotle sauce, and stir well to combine. Let everything warm up together for a few minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken and veggies. If the mixture seems a bit dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce coat the pasta beautifully.
Garnish and Serve
Once everything is heated through and well combined, serve your pasta sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Voilà, your Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta is ready to go!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Ready to take your Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta to the next level? Here are a few pro tips to ensure your dish turns out amazing every single time:
- Chicken: Swap the chicken breast for chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand or is cheaper!
- Adjust the heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a small amount of chipotle sauce and adjust upwards. Love the heat? Go wild! If it gets too spicy, add a little cream to cool it back down.
- Don’t skip the pasta water: Adding a bit of the starchy, salty pasta water can help the sauce cling to the pasta and make everything extra silky.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts better and adds a richer flavor than the pre-grated stuff.
- Experiment with veggies: Feel free to swap out or add any vegetables you have on hand. Bell peppers of any color, zucchini, spinach, or frozen peas would all be great additions.
- Make ahead: This pasta reheats beautifully, making it a perfect meal prep option for busy weeks.
- Add a pop of sweetness: If you like a little sweetness to make the flavors really shine, add a teaspoon of honey or sugar.
- Gluten-free: Swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and add more veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, yellow bell pepper, or spinach. You can also toss in some plant-based protein like tofu or chickpeas for a hearty, vegetarian-friendly version.
- Different types of pasta: While short pasta like penne pasta or fusilli works best for holding onto the sauce and ingredients, feel free to use whatever pasta you have on hand. Whole wheat, gluten-free, or even spiralized vegetable noodles can be great alternatives.
- Make it creamier: If you’re looking for an even creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese, and a little butter to the sauce as you’re combining everything. Stir until fully incorporated and silky smooth.
How to Store Leftover Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how to keep your Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta tasting great for days:
- Cool & Airtight: Before storing, allow your pasta to cool to room temperature, and then store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
- Refrigerate: Once cooled, pop your pasta in the fridge. It will keep well for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your pasta again, you can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce up again and restore its creamy texture.
- Freeze: This pasta freezes well, so don’t hesitate to make a double batch and save some for a rainy day. It’ll keep in the freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Looking to whip up this delicious dish without breaking the bank? Here are our top three tips for saving money while making Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta:
- Use store-brand pasta: The difference in taste is minimal, and the savings can add up over time.
- Make your own chipotle sauce: Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce blended with a bit of tomato sauce can be a cost-effective alternative to pre-made chipotle sauce.
- Grate your own cheese: Buying a block of Parmesan and grating it yourself is more economical than pre-grated cheese and tastes better.
What to Serve with Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
Pairing the right sides with your Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta can turn a great meal into an unforgettable one. Here’s what you can serve to complement the flavors of this spicy, creamy dish.
Steamed Green Beans
A simple side of steamed green beans can be a refreshing addition to your pasta dinner. They’re light, crunchy, and a bit sweet, providing a nice contrast to the spicy, creamy elements of the dish. Plus, you can jazz them up with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of slivered almonds for extra flavor and crunch.
Warm Bread
For a slightly sweet and crumbly side, cornbread is a fantastic choice. Its comforting texture and taste offer a delightful balance to the heat of the pasta. On the other hand, buttery garlic bread goes well with just about anything, especially pasta.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
For a cool and refreshing side, try a cucumber tomato salad. It’s incredibly easy to whip up and adds a burst of freshness to your meal. Just dice some cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion, then toss them with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and a hint of fresh dill or basil. This salad is not only light and healthy but also helps to cool down the palate after the spicy pasta.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You Will Love
- Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
- Best Chicken Casserole
- Chipotle Grilled Chicken
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe
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Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups short pasta
- 1 chicken breast cubed
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ green bell pepper sliced
- 10 asparagus spears chopped
- 1 cup chipotle sauce
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.2 cups short pasta
- Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper.1 chicken breast, Salt and pepper
- Heat a non-stick skillet to medium high and add the olive oil. Once it’s hot, add the chicken and cook until browned on every side. Reserve.1 tablespoon olive oil
- In the same skillet, add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is translucent. Add the asparagus spears and cook for 5 more minutes or until bright green.½ onion, 1 garlic clove, ½ green bell pepper, 10 asparagus spears
- Return the chicken to the skillet and add the chipotle sauce. Stir until mixed and warmed through.1 cup chipotle sauce
- Add the pasta and mix well.
- Serve the pasta with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Enjoy your Chipotle pasta!¼ cup Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup parsley
Notes
- Chicken: Swap the chicken breast for chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand or is cheaper!
- Adjust the heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a small amount of chipotle sauce and adjust upwards. Love the heat? Go wild! If it gets too spicy, add a little cream to cool it back down.
- Don’t skip the pasta water: Adding a bit of the starchy, salty pasta water can help the sauce cling to the pasta and make everything extra silky.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts better and adds a richer flavor than the pre-grated stuff.
- Experiment with veggies: Feel free to swap out or add any vegetables you have on hand. Bell peppers of any color, zucchini, spinach, or frozen peas would all be great additions.
- Make ahead: This pasta reheats beautifully, making it a perfect meal prep option for busy weeks.
- Add a pop of sweetness: If you like a little sweetness to make the flavors really shine, add a teaspoon of honey or sugar.
- Gluten-free: Swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and add more veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, yellow bell pepper, or spinach. You can also toss in some plant-based protein like tofu or chickpeas for a hearty, vegetarian-friendly version.
- Different types of pasta: While short pasta like penne pasta or fusilli works best for holding onto the sauce and ingredients, feel free to use whatever pasta you have on hand. Whole wheat, gluten-free, or even spiralized vegetable noodles can be great alternatives.
- Make it creamier: If you’re looking for an even creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese, and a little butter to the sauce as you’re combining everything. Stir until fully incorporated and silky smooth.
Storage & Reheating
- Cool & Airtight: Before storing, allow your pasta to cool to room temperature, and then store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
- Refrigerate: Once cooled, pop your pasta in the fridge. It will keep well for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your pasta again, you can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce up again and restore its creamy texture.
- Freeze: This pasta freezes well, so don’t hesitate to make a double batch and save some for a rainy day. It’ll keep in the freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
