Sweet Chili Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and penne tossed in creamy sweet chili sauce—a vibrant fusion dish balancing heat and sweetness in just 35 minutes.

# Components:

→ 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 (optional)
14 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)

# Method Steps:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain in a colander 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 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
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 thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is achieved.
07 - Divide pasta into serving bowls and top with spring onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout and tastes like something from a restaurant menu.
  • The sauce clings to every piece of pasta without feeling heavy or one note.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on who is at the table.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving the pasta water, it's the only thing that will loosen the sauce without breaking the creaminess.
  • Cook the chicken in batches if your pan is too small, overcrowding will steam it instead of searing it.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, you can adjust the sweet chili or lime right then and there.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds before sprinkling, the nutty aroma makes a noticeable difference.
  • Use a pasta shape with ridges or hollow centers, smooth spaghetti just won't hold the sauce the same way.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want more heat without extra sweetness.
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