This Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta recipe is a family favorite. Made with simple ingredients, this creamy, zesty, and satisfying dish perfectly marries Italian and Mexican cuisines.
This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The fusion of creamy sauces and chipotle flavors traces back to Mexican households as seen in Pollo en Chipotle.
However, you might have seen this spicy chicken pasta recipe on a well-known restaurant menu. Here is my Cheesecake Factory copycat recipe.
Table of Contents
🥘 Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Penne pasta – or linguini, rigatoni, or pasta of your choice!
- Tomato sauce
- Heavy cream
- Chipotle peppers in adobo
- Chicken broth
- Cumin powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion (diced)
- Garlic cloves (peeled and diced)
- Parsley (to garnish)
- Parmesan cheese (as desired)
Whether it’s a special night of the week or just a craving for something deliciously spicy, this creamy pasta recipe is always a good idea.
🥣 Instructions
- Add tomato sauce, heavy cream, chipotle chiles, and 1 cup chicken stock to the blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Set aside.
Here, we’re using heavy cream. Substitute with mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.
Spice level is mild. For a REALLY spicy sauce, add 8 chipotle peppers (or the entire can).
- Take your boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs and cut into 1-inch cubes
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken,
- Season chicken with salt, black pepper, and cumin.
Dry the chicken well so they get a good sear. Also, ensure that each piece is well-coated for a ton of flavor.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until brown.
- Add the onion and cook for 1 minute. (add more olive oil, if needed)
- Pour the sauce all over the cooked chicken.
Give everything a good stir and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes. Then turn off the heat.
Taste for salt and adjust accordingly.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of water according to package instructions until al dente.
- Remove from the boiling water.
- Combine cooked pasta with spicy chicken and creamy pasta sauce.
For extra creaminess, add some of the pasta water. About a splash.
Consider adding some white wine for another layer of flavor.
Give everything a mix, ensuring the pasta is well-coated.
Serve and top with chopped parsley (or fresh cilantro).
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- Use chicken thighs for juicier chicken.
- Adjust the spice level by adding or reducing chipotle peppers.
- You can add fresh veggies like red bell pepper or yellow bell pepper to add more color and extra flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the creamy sauce consistency.
- Top with tortilla chips for added crunch!
🙋🏻♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a flavorful blend of chipotles in adobo, a mix of spices, fresh cilantro, zesty lime juice, creamy sour cream, and mayonnaise. It’s a touch of spice for everything nice!
Absolutely! The best part about this spicy pasta is its flexibility. Fettuccine, rigatoni, or spaghetti work great.
Yes, it’s a great option for busy weeknights. Make the sauce, pasta, and shred some of the chicken. Then simply mix together.
Additions
- Parmesan cheese is also a great addition to the chipotle flavor profile.
- Fresh asparagus or broccoli – add with the sauce.
Storing Instructions
- Place any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. Freeze in a sealable bag, remove as much air as possible, and store for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before consuming.
- Reheat on high for 2 ½ to 3 minutes in the microwave, or on the stove for 4-5 minutes.
🌶️ More Chipotle Recipes
This Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta might remind many of the Cheesecake Factory’s famous dish.
It’s an easy pasta recipe, featuring juicy chicken served over pasta and covered with the delicious flavor of a creamy sauce. So yummy!
😋 Hungry for More?
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest for my latest recipes and videos.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces
- 16 ounces penne pasta (or linguini, rigatoni, or pasta of choice)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or sour cream, Greek yogurt, or mayonnaise)
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo (or more if you like it spicy)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and finely diced
- parsley to garnish
- parmesan cheese (optional topping)
Instructions
- Add tomato sauce, heavy cream, chipotle chiles, and 1 cup chicken stock to the blender.
- Blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken,
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and cumin.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan.
- Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides. (About 4 minutes).
- Add the onion and garlic. Cook for 1 minute, or until the onion is translucent.
- Pour in the chipotle cream sauce.
- Stir to combine.
- Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Taste for salt. Turn heat off.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Drain and add to the skillet with the cooked chicken.
- Toss the pasta to coat.
- Serve and top with chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese (if using).
Notes
Pro Tips
-
- Use chicken thighs for juicier chicken.
- Adjust the spice level by adding or reducing chipotle peppers.
-
- You can add fresh veggies like red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, asparagus, or broccoli.
-
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the creamy sauce consistency.
-
- Top with tortilla chips for added crunch!
Nutrition
Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.
Leave a Reply