Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta: A Bold, Creamy Delight for Effortless Weeknight Dinners

Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta

Introduction

Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta combines the best of both worlds: the luscious richness of a cream sauce and the bold, satisfying kick of spice. This recipe is perfect when you want something comforting yet exciting—a crowd-pleaser with layers of savory chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a sauce that clings deliciously to every bite. Ready in under an hour, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta

What makes this dish truly stand out is its balance: the creaminess softens the heat, allowing each ingredient to shine. The juicy, seasoned chicken is complemented by a mildly spicy sauce made with pantry staples, making it easy to adjust the spice level to your liking. Plus, everything is cooked in a single skillet for maximum flavor and easy cleanup!

The Secret to a Bold, Creamy Sauce

The sauce is the soul of this dish. By combining heavy cream, a touch of cream cheese, and a blend of Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes, you achieve a velvety texture with just the right amount of heat. Adding fresh garlic and sun-dried tomatoes brings depth, while Parmesan cheese adds that classic umami finish. Let the sauce simmer and reduce—it thickens beautifully and fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Bringing It All Together

Searing the chicken to golden perfection locks in flavor, while deglazing the pan with broth picks up all those tasty browned bits. Cook the pasta just until al dente and toss it directly in the sauce so it soaks up every drop of spicy, creamy goodness. A final toss with the chicken ensures every forkful is satisfying.

Serving Suggestions

Garnish with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or basil for color and freshness. Serve alongside a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli for a well-rounded meal. Add a slice of crusty bread to mop up the sauce—it’s simply too good to waste.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each portion contains roughly 550–650 calories, depending on the type of pasta and specific ingredients used. High in protein and full of flavor, it’s a hearty main course for any occasion.

Bold, Creamy, and Spicy (Recap)

Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta delivers big flavor with minimal effort. The interplay of creamy richness and gentle heat makes it an instant favorite for family meals or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, until golden on the outside and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  4. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow to simmer for 2–3 minutes to concentrate the flavor.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese and heavy cream. Whisk until smooth and combined, then add the grated Parmesan. Continue stirring until the sauce has thickened slightly, 3–4 minutes.
  7. Return the chicken (and any juices) to the skillet, add the cooked pasta, and gently toss everything together to coat. Adjust salt and spice to taste.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta is ideal for prepping ahead or including in your weekly meal rotation. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically integrate its ingredients into a master shopping list for the week, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

**Planning Benefits:**

– Tallies ingredient quantities across all scheduled recipes
– Automatically organizes lists by store aisle for efficient shopping
– Prevents overbuying or forgetting key items
– Simplifies meal preparation and time management

Pro tip: Schedule multiple recipes and CookifyAI will seamlessly add and combine shared ingredients—no more extra trips or waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Enjoy the rich, zesty comfort of Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta and let thoughtful meal planning turn your weeknight dinners into stress-free favorites!

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