Description
This Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken, al dente rotini pasta, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce enhanced with chili powder and fresh herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe balances spicy and creamy elements for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, uncooked
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Sauce and Garnish
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 6 green onions, chopped
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
- ½ cup low-sodium or no-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces along with chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken until it is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in the chopped tomatoes, green onions, and parsley into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Let cook for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a boil to develop a creamy sauce base.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet and gently stir to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top and add extra parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use half and half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness but can be substituted with basil or omitted if preferred.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to reduce the overall salt content.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute rotini pasta with gluten-free pasta.
