Spicy Chicken Pasta with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

This spicy chipotle chicken pasta is pretty hot, so approach with caution! This is a small batch recipe that makes 2-3 servings, and comes together in about 30 minutes.

Creamy, spicy pastas are one of our favorites around here, and this chipotle chicken pasta recipe is no exception. Just know that I’m serious when I say it can get spicy: canned chipotles can be very hot, so if you’re not a fan of heat, I wouldn’t recommend this spicy pasta.

For me, it’s just the right amount of heat: the kind that doesn’t make me hiccup, but keeps me coming back for more. I tossed in some yellow bell pepper, onion, and asparagus for extra flavor (and a touch of vegetable goodness), and we love it. A good creamy pasta recipe is always a win in my book! This recipe makes about five cups of chipotle chicken pasta.

Ingredient Notes:

*Eight ounces of chicken is equivalent to 2-3 chicken thighs OR one larger chicken breast.

*Half and half can be substituted with heavy cream.

*Fresh Garlic is best, but it can be substituted with 1/2 tsp. garlic powder!

*Yellow or white onion will work!

*Yellow Bell Pepper is my preferred pepper for this recipe, but you can use any colored bell pepper (green, orange, or red bell pepper are all great!)

*Asparagus comes in many sizes. I used thicker stalks in these photos and my recipe, which are a little shy of 1/2″ thick. If you can only find thin asparagus, reduce the cooking time in step six by two minutes.

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I mentioned it before, but it’s definitely worth a revisit: chipotle peppers are spicy! A chipotle pepper is a jalapeno that has been smoked and canned or dried, and they are frequently used in Mexican food. We’re using canned chipotle peppers for this recipe, and one large chipotle pepper in particular (plus some of the sauce from the can, which is the “adobo” sauce.) I blend the chipotle and adobo sauce with half and half to create a creamy sauce.

Because we are only using one pepper in this recipe, you can freeze the remaining chipotle peppers for future use! Separate the peppers into a clean ice cube tray, freeze them, then transfer them to a freezer safe zip top bag until you’re ready to add a pop of chipotle flavor and heat to your next meal.

Directions

How to Make this Chipotle Chicken Pasta Recipe

1. Season Chicken: Season the chicken thighs (or chicken breasts) all over with a good pinch of salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin. Set the chicken aside for now.

2. Make Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce: Combine half and half, garlic cloves, honey, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce from the canned chipotles, and a pinch of salt in a small blender or food processor. Blend until totally combined, then set aside.

3. Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until cooked through and the internal temperature registers 165 F. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and cover with foil.

4. Cook Veggies: In the same pan the chicken was cooked in, add the chopped yellow bell peppers and chopped onions with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring every now and then to incorporate any browned bits from the bottom of the pan into the vegetables as they cook.

5. Boil Pasta in a Separate Pot: At this time, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Pour in the dried noodles, stir them around, and cook according to package instructions, minus about one minute for al dente pasta.

6. Add Asparagus: Once the peppers and onions are mostly softened, toss the chopped asparagus into the pan with them. Cook, stirring every so often, for 3-4 minutes until the asparagus begins to soften.

7. Add Chipotle Cream Sauce to Veggies: Pour the chipotle cream sauce into the pan with the vegetables. Stir to mix in the vegetables, then cook for about 5-6 minutes (while the pasta finishes boiling) until the cream sauce has thickened. While the cream sauce cooks, cut the cooked chicken into bite-size pieces.

8. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta to the pan with the cream sauce and stir to coat the noodles completely with sauce.

9. Add Chicken, Cheese, and Flavor: Add the chopped chicken, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and a touch of salt and pepper to taste. Stir to thoroughly combine all ingredients and coat the noodles and chicken with chipotle cream sauce. Add about 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water and stir to mix it in. To make the sauce creamier, stir in more pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

9. Garnish and Serve: Serve hot and garnish with chopped green onions and more parmesan cheese.

I know I mentioned it already, but the creamy chipotle sauce can have a really spicy kick! It definitely has a delicious flavor, but the first time I tested this recipe was a bit of a shock. Chipotles in general are spicy, but sometimes you can get a super spicy can. I recommend tasting a tiny amount of adobo sauce from the can before you make the chipotle cream sauce. If you’d rather just have the flavor without all of the heat, using a chipotle seasoning could be a great alternative to canned chipotles!

If you’re looking for another flavorful pasta dish, I have a few to check out!

• Chorizo Spinach Pasta
• Creamy Cajun Linguine
• Tomato, Bacon, and Basil Pappardelle
• Spaghetti Alfredo with Chicken
• Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta with Spinach
• Cajun Chicken Orzo with Spinach

How to Store and Reheat Chipotle Chicken Pasta

This chipotle pasta can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. My favorite way to reheat creamy pastas is to add your desired amount of leftover pasta into a saucepan, add a splash of vegetable or chicken broth (or stock), OR whole milk, then warm the pasta over medium-low heat. Be sure to stir frequently so the new liquid mixes into the pasta to make it creamy again! Also, feel free to add a touch of fresh black pepper if you love it – the flavor is best when it’s freshly added, so another little bit would be delicious.

I really love this new original recipe, and I hope you do, too! It’s the perfect dish for any night of the week, especially when you may be cramped for time but still want something delicious to eat. The spicy chipotle sauce isn’t for the weak, lol, but it’s dang tasty if you’re into spicy foods.

If you make this chipotle chicken pasta recipe and love it, consider leaving a star rating and/or a comment below! Also, if you post your pasta creation to Instagram, be sure to tag me @aflavorjournal and/or #aflavorjournal so I can re-share it! Questions about the ingredients or the recipe? Shoot me an email directly so I can try to help out.

Enjoy your pasta! xx Sara