Sweet Chili Chicken Pasta (Printable version)

Tender chicken and penne tossed in a creamy, sweet chili sauce with bell peppers and aromatic garlic for a perfect fusion meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

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

→ Chicken

03 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 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

# How-To Steps:

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 cooked through. Remove 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 in heavy cream, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water in small increments until desired consistency is reached.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with spring onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels indulgent but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The sweet chili sauce does all the flavor work while you barely lift a finger.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have melded overnight.
  • It satisfies both pasta lovers and spice seekers without being overwhelming.
02 -
  • Don't dump all the pasta water in at once or you'll thin the sauce too much, add it a tablespoon at a time.
  • If your sweet chili sauce is especially mild, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce will bring the heat back.
  • Let the chicken rest on a plate instead of piling it up or it'll steam and lose its golden crust.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds before sprinkling them on, it makes them nutty and fragrant.
  • Use kitchen shears to snip the spring onions directly over the dish so you don't dirty another cutting board.
  • If your skillet isn't big enough to toss the pasta comfortably, transfer everything to a large bowl and mix it there instead.
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