Easy Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta

This easy creamy spicy chicken pasta is comfort food at its best. It's a very simple chicken pasta recipe that you can throw together in 30 minutes for a creamy dinner with a bit of a kick.

I do love a quick pasta dinner, and this creamy chicken spicy chicken pasta is something that always makes me feel good, even at the end of a bad day.

Creamy and deliciously spicy, this is a recipe that's ready in 30 minutes. Expect goodness in a bowl with this pasta that's so rich and satisfying.

If creamy pasta and tomato pasta had a baby, it would be this recipe.

It's an ideal choice for those days when you know you want pasta but can't decide whether it should be red or white.

With this creamy chicken pasta, you can have both in one bowl!

What goes into this spicy chicken pasta?

To make this spicy chicken pasta, you need the following ingredients:

Chicken breast

I dice the chicken into 1-inch cubes and fry them in a mix of olive oil and butter.

You can also fry the chicken fillets whole and then shred them, but I prefer it diced because each piece gets to be slightly golden.

You can also use chicken thighs instead or even leftover roasted chicken if this recipe.

If the chicken you're using is already cooked, just add it at the end, together with the cooked pasta.

Spices

My spice mix is not too fiery but still has quite a kick.

I use a blend of smoked paprika, onion granules, dried oregano, ground black pepper and cayenne pepper.

You can adjust the level of hotness as you wish by increasing the amount of cayenne pepper.

You can also add some chilli flakes for extra spiciness.

Cream cheese

I use full-fat cream cheese, but you can use a low-fat version if you want to cut down on calories.

You can also substitute it with double (heavy) cream instead.

Pasta

I used rigatoni for this spicy chicken recipe, but you can use any other type of short pasta.

How do you make the pasta?

• Start by boiling the pasta according to the instructions on the package. You want it to be al dente, so don't overcook it or it will be mushy.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan, then add the butter.
• When the butter has melted, add the chicken breast and cook it for 5-6 minutes until slightly golden.
• Add the shallot and garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Next, add the smoked paprika, onion granules, dried oregano, ground black pepper and cayenne pepper and stir to combine.

• Stir in the tomato paste, then add the chicken stock and bring a boil.
• Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese. Break it down with your spoon until it dissolves completely in the sauce.
• Transfer the pasta to the pan and stir to combine. Add a splash of pasta water if it looks too thick.

• Next, stir in the grated parmesan and fresh parsley.
• Divide the pasta into bowls and serve with extra parmesan on top if you like.

Recipe tips and notes

• You can use one or two tablespoons of Cajun seasoning instead or your own spice mix for an even speedier dinner.
• If you have time, you can mix the chicken cubes with the spices and marinate for at least 30 minutes before starting dinner. This way, the chicken will be more flavourful.
• Make this creamy pasta a bit more decadent by adding some pancetta or bacon lardons with the chicken.
• If you want to make this recipe dairy-free, use another tablespoon of olive oil instead of butter and skip the cream cheese or replace it with a plant-based version.

If you liked this easy creamy chicken spicy chicken pasta, you might also like some of my other quick and easy pasta recipes.

Creamy Mushroom Marsala Pasta

Creamy Mushroom Alfredo Pasta Bake

One-Pot Gorgonzola, Walnut and Spinach Pasta (Pasta Gorgonzola e Noci)

Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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