Spicy Calabrian Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Spicy Calabrian Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Calabrian chili paste, or more, to taste
- 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces, undrained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the chicken. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and Calabrian chili paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce has slightly thickened. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Stir in the fresh basil.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Calabrian Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Calabrian chili paste, or more, to taste
- 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces, undrained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the chicken. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and Calabrian chili paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce has slightly thickened. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Stir in the fresh basil.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min