Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
My chicken chipotle pasta features juicy chicken and tender veggies in a delectable spicy cream sauce. This easy recipe is lick your plate clean good.
This flavorful and spicy chicken chipotle pasta is so good my family begs me to make it at least once a week. It is inspired by the dish at the Cheesecake Factory, and you won't believe how easy it is to recreate. Serve with other Cheesecake Factory copycat recipes like Avocado Egg Rolls and deep fried mac and cheese.
It will quickly become a family favorite meal. It's great for everything from busy weeknights to date night. You can also switch up the protein with what you have on hand. We've also made it with shrimp and kielbasa.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Chipotle: Chipotle peppers are smoke-dried jalapeno pepper mixed with spices. They are smoky and a little spicy.
- Look for them in the international aisle near the taco shells.
- Chicken: You could also use leftover or shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Asparagus: You can use frozen asparagus if it's out of season. Avoid canned which lacks flavor and can be mushy. Look for bright green stalks that are firm to the touch. Avoid limp or discolored bunches.
- Pasta: Use any shape you like. I like pasta with ridges to really hold on to the sauce such as Farfalle, Penne, or Cavatappi.
- Chipotle Seasoning: This blend of chipotle, chili powder, and other seasonings adds tons of flavor. Look for store-bought varieties or make your own.
- Heavy Cream: Avoid using half and half which tends to curdle when cooking at high temps.
How To Make Chicken Chipotle Pasta
- Cook Asparagus: Cook for 2-3 minutes and then place in an ice bath.
- Cook Pasta: Cook according to package directions.
- Cook Veggies and Chicken: Cook veggies in butter and chicken in olive oil.
- Make Sauce: Stir in chipotle seasoning, adobo sauce, cheese and heavy cream. Stir in pasta and asparagus and enjoy!
FAQs
How To Prevent Chicken From Drying Out
Sear chicken over high heat, which seals the juices inside. Low heat can cause it to seep out.
Also, be sure not to overcrowd the pan, which can cause it to steam instead of brown.
Finally, don't overcook it. Cook just until it reaches 165 degrees.
Why Use An Ice Bath When Cooking Asparagus
Asparagus can overcook quickly; an ice bath stops the cooking process. It also helps preserve its gorgeous green color.
️Tips️
- Don't Forget to Salt Your Pasta Water. Since pasta absorbs a lot of that salty goodness this is the only chance you get to flavor the noodles themselves.
- Cut the Woody Ends Off Of Your Asparagus: Use a sharp knife to cut off the tough, woody ends. If you bend the asparagus, it will also snap off at the right spot, though this takes longer than chopping! Also, don't skip the ice bath as it can overcook so quickly and become mushy.
- Dicing Chicken: The best way to safely dice raw chicken is to slice each chicken breast slightly against the grain using a sharp knife. Pat dry to make it less slippery and ensure you get a good sear.
- Do not overcook the pasta: Cook until al dente as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Food Safety: Cook the chicken until the juices run clear and it reaches 165 degrees F. I usually pull mine around 160 degrees, as it will continue cooking in the sauce.
Color=Flavor
Leave the chicken alone to carmelize on all sides.
Don't forget to scrape the brown bits off the bottom after adding your heavy cream for even more flavor.
More Easy Pasta Recipes We Love
📖 Recipe
Copycat Chicken Chipotle Pasta
Chicken Chipotle Pasta features juicy chicken and tender veggies in a delectable spicy cream sauce. This easy recipe is lick your plate clean good.
Print
Pin
Rate
Servings: 6 People
Calories: 785kcal
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Ingredients
- 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Diced
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Box Pasta I Used Farfalle
- 1 Teaspoon Chipotle Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Onion
- 2 Bell Peppers
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- ¼ Cup Honey
- 1 Teaspoon Chipotle Seasoning
- 4 Tablespoons Chipotle Sauce From a Can of Chipotle Peppers
- 1 Bundle Asparagus
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream
- 1 Cup Shredded Cheese I Used a Parmesean/Romano Blend
Don't lose this recipe. Pin for later!
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, boil asparagus for 2-3 minutes. Place into an ice bath.
- Cook pasta in the same saucepan according to the package directions.
- In a large dutch oven melt butter. Cook onion and pepper until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Set aside on a plate.
- In the same dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown chicken on all sides, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, chipotle seasoning, and honey.
- Add cooked veggies, adobo sauce, chipotle seasoning, cheese, and heavy cream to the dutch oven.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes until incorporated. Fold in pasta and asparagus.
Notes
Ingredient Notes
-
- Chipotle: Look for them in the international aisle near the taco shells.
- Pasta: I like pasta with ridges to really hold on to the sauce, such as Farfalle, Penne, or Cavatappi.
- Asparagus: Look for bright green stalks that are firm to the touch. Avoid limp or discolored bunches.
- If the asparagus is not in season, you can use frozen but avoid canned varieties, which can be too mushy.
- Heavy Cream: Avoid using half and half which tends to curdle when cooking at high temps.
- Don't forget to salt your pasta water.
- Snap or cut the ends off of your asparagus: Use a sharp knife to cut off the tough, woody ends. If you bend the asparagus, it will also snap off at the right spot, though this takes longer than chopping! Also, don't skip the ice bath, as it can overcook so quickly and become mushy.
- Dicing Chicken: The best way to safely dice raw chicken is to slice each chicken breast slightly against the grain using a sharp knife. Pat dry to make it less slippery and ensure you get a good sear.
- Color=Flavor: Allow the chicken to cook for a few minutes undisturbed so it carmelizes. Don't forget to scrape the brown bits off the bottom after adding your heavy cream for even more flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta: Cook until al dente as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Food Safety: Cook chicken until the juices run clear and it reaches 165 degrees F. I usually pull mine around 160 degrees as it will continue cooking in the sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 785kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 2664IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? I want to see!Mention @BakingBeautyBlog or tag #BakingBeauty!
Chipotle is one of our favorite restaurants and this recipe came to me as a savior. Now I can taste chipotle reight in our home.