Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, smoky chipotle spices, tender asparagus, and a creamy chipotle sauce loaded with sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. This dish not only satisfies your taste buds but also brings a burst of color to your dinner table. You can whip up this delightful recipe in about 50 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal or entertaining guests. Let’s dive into how to create this amazing meal!
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
This Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta is more than just another pasta dish. Here are a few reasons to love it:
- It’s packed with flavor, thanks to the chipotle chili powder and spices.
- The creamy sauce balances the smoky heat, making it irresistible.
- Loaded with healthy vegetables like asparagus and bell peppers, it’s nutritious.
- Perfect for meal prep; make a large batch to enjoy throughout the week.
- Customizable: switch out chicken for shrimp or tofu for a different protein.
- It’s a quick spicy chipotle chicken pasta recipe that’s ready in under an hour.
This dish is categorized as a Main Course and fits well within a Mexican cuisine theme.
Ingredients for Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Gather these items:
- 1 ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 medium chicken breasts, pounded to tenderize and chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, and/or orange), thinly sliced
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- 1 ½ teaspoons chicken bouillon
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup frozen petite peas (do not thaw)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro
- Lime juice
How to Make Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, prepare your spice mix and chop all veggies and chicken pieces.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk all the spices together. Remove 1 ½ tablespoons of this mixture to season the chicken. Keep the remaining spices for the sauce later.
- Step 3: Pat the chopped chicken dry with paper towels. Toss the chicken with the reserved 1 ½ tablespoons of spice mix until well coated but do not cook yet.
- Step 4: Have a large bowl of ice water ready with a colander inside it. Add the asparagus to the boiling salted water and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Transfer asparagus quickly to the ice bath to stop cooking and maintain color. Drain and set aside.
- Step 5: In the same boiling water, cook penne pasta until just al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and rinse lightly. Toss pasta with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Step 6: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a cast iron braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until smoking. Add chicken in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until cooked through. Stir in honey and lime juice, coating the chicken with the glaze. Transfer the glazed chicken to a plate. Wipe the pan clean to prevent honey from burning.
- Step 7: In the empty pan, melt butter with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Add bell peppers and the remaining spice mix, cooking for 2 more minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 8: Sprinkle flour over the veggies and cook for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste. Reduce heat to low, slowly whisk in chicken broth, then half and half. Add chicken bouillon and oregano. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer gently, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens.
- Step 9: Reduce heat to low. In batches, stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted followed by Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook 1-2 minutes more on low heat to fully melt and integrate the cheeses into the sauce.
- Step 10: Stir in lime juice, cooked chicken, asparagus, and frozen peas. Add the cooked pasta and gently toss everything together. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and extra chipotle chili powder if desired. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until reaching your preferred consistency. Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh parsley or cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice if desired.
Pro Tips for the Best Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Keep these in mind:
- This dish is great for weeknight dinners or entertaining.
- Adjust the level of chipotle spice to suit your taste.
- You can substitute the chicken with shrimp or tofu for a different protein option.
- Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
Best Ways to Serve Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Here are some serving suggestions:
- Pair with a fresh garden salad for a complete meal.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Top with extra cilantro or parsley for freshness.
How to Store and Reheat Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if necessary. This recipe is perfect for spicy chipotle chicken pasta for meal prep!
Frequently Asked Questions About Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
What is spicy chipotle chicken pasta?
Spicy chipotle chicken pasta is a creamy, smoky dish featuring chicken, chipotle spices, and vegetables tossed with penne pasta. It’s a meal that balances flavor and texture beautifully.
Can I make spicy chipotle chicken pasta ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time. Make it a day in advance and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stovetop.
How do I avoid common mistakes with spicy chipotle chicken pasta?
To avoid common mistakes, ensure you don’t overcook the pasta and adjust spice levels to your preference. Taste as you go to achieve the perfect balance!
Variations of Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta You Can Try
Here are some fun twists on the original recipe:
- For a vegetarian option, replace chicken with roasted vegetables or chickpeas.
- Add spinach or kale for extra greens; it pairs well with the creamy sauce.
- Use a different pasta shape, like fettuccine or rotini, for a fun change.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and ensuring all other ingredients are compliant.
For more delicious recipes, check out our latest recipes or try making creamy chicken pasta for a comforting meal.
For more information on the health benefits of the ingredients, you can visit Healthline for a detailed overview of asparagus.
Enjoy your cooking and savor the delightful flavors of this Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta!
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Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta: A Flavorful Dinner Delight
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, smoky chipotle spices, tender asparagus, and a creamy chipotle sauce loaded with sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 medium chicken breasts, pounded to tenderize and chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, and/or orange), thinly sliced
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- 1 ½ teaspoons chicken bouillon
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup frozen petite peas
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or cilantro
- Lime juice
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, prepare your spice mix and chop all veggies and chicken pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk all the spices together. Remove 1 ½ tablespoons of this mixture to season the chicken. Keep the remaining spices for the sauce later.
- Pat the chopped chicken dry with paper towels. Toss the chicken with the reserved 1 ½ tablespoons of spice mix until well coated but do not cook yet.
- Have a large bowl of ice water ready with a colander inside it. Add the asparagus to the boiling salted water and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Transfer asparagus quickly to the ice bath to stop cooking and maintain color. Drain and set aside.
- In the same boiling water, cook penne pasta until just al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and rinse lightly. Toss pasta with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a cast iron braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until smoking. Add chicken in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until cooked through. Stir in honey and lime juice, coating the chicken with the glaze. Transfer the glazed chicken to a plate. Wipe the pan clean to prevent honey from burning.
- In the empty pan, melt butter with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Add bell peppers and the remaining spice mix, cooking for 2 more minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the veggies and cook for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste. Reduce heat to low, slowly whisk in chicken broth, then half and half. Add chicken bouillon and oregano. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer gently, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens.
- Reduce heat to low. In batches, stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted followed by Parmesan cheese, continuing to cook 1-2 minutes more on low heat to fully melt and integrate the cheeses into the sauce.
- Stir in lime juice, cooked chicken, asparagus, and frozen peas. Add the cooked pasta and gently toss everything together. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and extra chipotle chili powder if desired. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until reaching your preferred consistency. Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh parsley or cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice if desired.
Notes
- This dish is great for weeknight dinners or entertaining.
- Adjust the level of chipotle spice to suit your taste.
- You can substitute the chicken with shrimp or tofu for a different protein option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta, Chicken Pasta, Chipotle Pasta, Creamy Pasta