Viral Creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta (25 Minutes)
Seared chicken and penne folded through a smoky chipotle Parmesan cream sauce. The viral weeknight pasta, on the table in 25 minutes.
Method
- Cook the penne in a large pot of salted water until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, saving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Season the chicken with the smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large deep pan over medium-high heat and sear the chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the garlic and tomato paste to the same pan and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the chipotles and adobo sauce.
- Pour in the cream and simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened, then stir in the Parmesan until melted.
- Fold in the penne and a splash of the reserved pasta water until the sauce coats every piece. Stir in the lime juice.
- Top with the sliced chicken and cilantro and serve at once.
Seared chicken and penne folded through a smoky chipotle Parmesan cream sauce. The viral weeknight pasta, on the table in 25 minutes.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 620 kcal
- Protein
- 42 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 26 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
- Sugar
- 5 g
- Sodium
- 780 mg
Values are estimates based on USDA FoodData Central and vary with brands and portioning.
Chef notes
The adobo sauce carries most of the smoke, so add the chopped peppers to taste — two peppers is medium heat. Resting the chicken keeps the slices juicy.
Substitutions
- Heavy cream — half-and-half, simmered 1 minute longer
- Chipotle in adobo — 1 teaspoon chipotle powder plus 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- Penne — rigatoni or fusilli
Serving suggestions
Serve with a green salad and warm bread to mop up the sauce.
Storage
Up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a pan over low heat with a splash of cream or milk, stirring until the sauce loosens.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large deep pan or skillet
- Tongs
Variations
- Extra smoky: add 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder with the paprika
- Veggie: swap the chicken for sautéed mushrooms and sweetcorn
Why it works
The tomato paste and adobo fry in the pan drippings first, so the smoky flavour is built into the sauce instead of sitting on top of it.
Frequently asked questions
How spicy is chipotle chicken pasta?
Medium with two chipotles. Use one pepper for mild, three for hot — the adobo sauce adds smoke more than heat.
Can I use leftover chicken for chipotle chicken pasta?
Yes. Skip the searing step and fold sliced cooked chicken in with the pasta at the end.
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