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If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal that brings a bit of heat to your dinner table, then this Spicy Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta is the perfect recipe for you! This dish combines tender slices of chicken with a rich and creamy tomato sauce, spiced up with red chili and red pepper flakes, all tossed together with penne pasta. It’s an ideal recipe for busy weeknights, date nights, or anytime you want a satisfying and flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz penne pasta, cooked to 80% doneness
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and sliced
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Directions:
- Prepare the Ingredients: Start by dicing the onion and chopping the garlic. Cook the penne pasta to about 80% doneness, as it will finish cooking in the sauce later.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until fully done, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it cool slightly, then slice into strips.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic, red chili flakes, and red pepper flakes, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 3 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly.
- Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce is smooth and well combined. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried basil. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat the pasta with the sauce. Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed some of the sauce.
- Finish with Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is creamy. Add the sliced chicken back into the skillet and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
FAQs:
- Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time? A: Yes, you can prepare the sauce and cook the chicken in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them with the pasta when ready to serve.
- Q: Can I freeze this pasta? A: While you can freeze the sauce and chicken, it’s best to cook fresh pasta when you’re ready to serve to maintain the best texture.
- Q: What can I use instead of heavy cream? A: You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream cheese for a similar creamy consistency.