This Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta is everything you need for an easy, flavorful and comforting dinner. Made with tender chicken, fresh asparagus, al dente pasta, and a creamy and spicy chipotle sauce that brings just the right amount of heat. It’s a dish you’ll want to keep in your weekly rotation. Simple enough to make on a weeknight but impressive enough to serve for a special occasion.
This dish comes together in no time, making it a great option for busy nights when you want a meal that’s hearty and satisfying. Whether you're cooking for the family or treating yourself, this recipe is sure to be a keeper.
If you are looking for more chicken recipes, check out our: Greek Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Tuscan Chicken Thighs, Chicken and Sausage Pasta, Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic or White Chicken Chili.
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Flavorful: This perfect dish has so much going on in the best way! Spicy chipotle cream sauce, juicy chicken and a little kick of Parmesan to tie it all together. Plus, the asparagus adds that pop of freshness to balance out chipotle flavors.
- Simple: This spicy chicken pasta recipe is made with just a handful of pantry staples and a single pan (plus one for the pasta), so there’s nothing fussy about it. The steps are straightforward and you’ll have dinner on the table in under 40 minutes.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the heat level in this spicy chipotle pasta by adding more or less adobo peppers or swap out the asparagus for another veggie like broccoli or red bell peppers. If you prefer a different protein you could easily swap the chicken out for something like shrimp.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this creamy pasta recipe:
- Chicken: I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for the because they are flavorful and juicy. You can also use chicken breasts if you'd like.
- Butter: I recommend unsalted butter so you can control salt content in this recipe.
- Garlic: Always use fresh garlic when you can! It tastes so much better than jarred garlic.
- Adobo peppers: Use canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- Asparagus: This recipe is especially delicious in spring when asparagus is perfectly in season!
- Heavy cream: You can substitute with whole milk or half and half.
- Pasta: Any pasta shape or size will work, but I suggest one that will hold a sauce well like penne or rigatoni.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese will give you the best flavor and will melt the best.
See recipe card below for quantities.
How to Make Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
Let's make this spicy chicken chipotle pasta recipe together!
Step 1: In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, onion powder, and cumin. Pat the chicken thighs dry and rub both sides with the seasoning mixture.
Step 2: Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add butter and sear the chicken for 7-8 minutes on each side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Let the chicken rest while the asparagus cooks and the sauce develops to hold in the juices.
Step 5: Add heavy cream and the cooked pasta to the pan. Stir well and let the pasta simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: In the same pan, add chopped asparagus and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic and adobo peppers and cook for an additional 2 minutes, until fragrant.
Step 6: Slice the cooked chicken and add it back to the pan. Top with Parmesan cheese and give everything a good toss. Serve and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this chicken vodka sauce pasta.
- Chicken: Shrimp is a great alternative to chicken. It cooks much quicker, so be sure to add it toward the end of the cooking process. You could also swap the chicken thighs for chicken breasts.
- Asparagus: If you’re not a fan of asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, or green beans can be great alternatives. Just adjust the cook time depending on the veggie.
- Parmesan cheese: Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano are good alternatives if you don’t have Parmesan on hand.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this spicy chipotle chicken pasta. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large Skillet - You'll want a high quality large skillet with high sides.
- Meat Thermometer - A meat thermometer is one of the best ways to ensure perfectly cooked chicken. This one is an instant thermometer that works great!
Top Tips
Here are some expert tips to make this spicy pasta:
- Check with a thermometer: For perfectly cooked chicken, use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken and it’s ready when it hits 165°F.
- Heat level: If you like it spicy, feel free to add more adobo peppers or a dash of cayenne pepper. Start small, and taste as you go so you can control the heat level.
- Make ahead: The pasta and chicken can be prepped ahead of time. You can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days, then just add it to the pan when you’re ready to make the sauce.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage instructions for this chipotle chicken pasta recipe.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer Storage: Freezing isn’t recommended for this dish due to the creamy sauce.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk or cream to keep the sauce smooth and creamy.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can swap boneless skinless chicken breasts for thighs if preferred. Just be mindful to cook the breasts carefully to avoid drying them out. Chicken breasts cook faster, so keep an eye on the temperature and ensure they reach 165°F.
To add more heat, you can increase the amount of adobo peppers or stir in some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. Taste as you go to ensure you don’t overdo it and get the perfect level of spice for your liking.
If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream. Keep in mind the sauce will be slightly less rich and creamy, but it’ll still taste delicious!
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon adobo peppers
- 1 cup chopped asparagus
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 10 oz cooked pasta of your choice
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine salt, black pepper, onion powder, and cumin in a small bowl. Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides of the chicken with the seasoning mixture.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add butter and sear chicken for 7-8 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 165F.
- Remove chicken from the pan. Add asparagus and sauté for 5 minutes. Then, garlic and adobo peppers and sauté for 2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add heavy cream and cooked pasta to the pan. Stir well and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Slice chicken and add it to the pan. Top with parmesan cheese and serve.
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