Sweet Chili Chicken Pasta (Printable)

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

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

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

→ Chicken

03 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 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 fresh lime juice

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

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 of 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 to 6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 2 to 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 and simmer for 2 to 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 in small increments until desired consistency is achieved.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with spring onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout, but tastes like you planned it for hours.
  • The creamy sweet chili sauce clings to every piece of pasta and chicken, so every bite is ridiculously flavorful.
  • You can adjust the heat and sweetness to match your mood without ruining anything.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, and sometimes taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving the pasta water, it's the only thing that will loosen a thick sauce without making it watery.
  • If your chicken pieces are uneven, the small ones will dry out before the big ones are done, so take an extra minute to cut them uniformly.
  • Taste the sauce before you add the pasta, because once everything is mixed, it's harder to adjust the seasoning.
03 -
  • Use a large skillet with high sides so you have room to toss the pasta without flinging sauce everywhere.
  • If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer an extra minute or two before adding the pasta, it will cling better and taste richer.
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes at the end adds a different kind of heat that plays beautifully with the sweetness.
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