Sweet Chili Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Tender chicken and penne tossed in a creamy, sweet chili sauce with fresh bell peppers and aromatic seasonings.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Chicken

03 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sauce

06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
10 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon lime juice

→ Garnish

12 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# Method:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
04 - Pour heavy cream, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice into the skillet. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Add cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until desired consistency is reached.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with spring onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels fancy but uses pantry staples and comes together in less time than ordering delivery.
  • The creamy sauce clings to every piece of pasta and chicken, delivering sweetness and heat in perfect harmony.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, and the flavors deepen overnight.
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving the pasta water, it is the secret to fixing a sauce that has thickened too much.
  • Cut the chicken into small, uniform pieces so they cook evenly and quickly without drying out.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, you can adjust the sweetness or heat by adding more sweet chili sauce or a squeeze of lime.
03 -
  • Use a large skillet so the pasta has room to toss without clumping or breaking apart.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on top, it brings out a nutty depth that store-bought ones lack.
  • If you are meal prepping, store the pasta and sauce separately so the noodles do not get mushy.
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