Spicy Creamy Chicken Pasta

Name: Spicy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Jalapeños
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed; 2 tbsp olive oil, divided; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 red onion, chopped; 1 red bell pepper, chopped; 1 jalapeño, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 lb penne pasta, cooked; 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded, plus more for garnish; Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

This spicy creamy chicken pasta combines tender seared chicken breast with sautéed jalapeños, bell peppers, and onions in a rich tomato cream sauce finished with parmesan. The heat from fresh jalapeños balances the creamy tomato base for a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner.

🌍American 🏷️Chicken pasta 🏷️Creamy pasta 🏷️Spicy pasta 🏷️Penne Weeknight dinner

🏷️

🏷️30-minute meal

-0:00

thegoldenbalanceonTikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$32–$53

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by thegoldenbalance

-0:00

thegoldenbalanceonTikTok

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeño, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 lb penne pasta, cooked
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded, plus more for garnish
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken breast with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
2
Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3
In the same pan, add the chopped red onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
4
Add the minced garlic and tomato paste to the pan. Cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant and the tomato paste has darkened slightly.
5
Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream until the sauce is smooth.
7
Add the cooked chicken and cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce. Stir everything together until well combined.
8
Stir in the shredded parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, making it creamy.
9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cube chicken to uniform size (about 1–1.5 inches) so pieces cook evenly in the pan; smaller cubes overcook and dry out quickly.
Don't skip the searing step—browning the seasoned chicken develops deeper flavor that carries through the entire dish.
Add jalapeños and peppers after removing the seared chicken to prevent them from softening too much; reintroduce chicken once vegetables soften.
Taste the sauce before finishing with parmesan; adjust salt and smoked paprika to balance the heat and richness of the cream.

Substitutions

Red onion → yellow or white onion (slightly milder, similar texture)
Jalapeño → serrano pepper (hotter, use fewer) or red pepper flakes (1/4 tsp for similar heat)
Smoked paprika → regular paprika or chili powder (different flavor profile but similar depth)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of cream or pasta water to restore sauce consistency.

Common Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Yes. Thighs will be juicier and more forgiving; reduce cooking time slightly as they're smaller or cube larger pieces.

How do I make this less spicy?

Remove jalapeño seeds before chopping, use half a jalapeño, or omit entirely and add a pinch of smoked paprika for flavor without heat.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Sear the chicken and chop vegetables up to 1 day ahead. Assemble and cook fresh to keep the sauce creamy; reheated sauce may separate slightly.

What pasta shape works best?

Penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine work well. Avoid very thin shapes that may break in the creamy sauce.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Sear until golden on all sides (2–3 minutes per side), then finish cooking in the sauce until internal temperature reaches 165°F or the thickest piece is no longer pink.