Sweet Chili Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Tender chicken tossed with pasta in a creamy sweet chili sauce combining Asian and Italian flavors.

# What You Need:

→ 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 fresh lime juice

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions 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 fully cooked. Remove chicken from pan 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 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 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Add cooked pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water in small amounts until desired consistency is achieved.
07 - Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with spring onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like restaurant fusion food but comes together faster than ordering delivery.
  • The sauce clings to every piece of pasta without being heavy or one note.
  • You can adjust the heat and sweetness to match your mood or your audience.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving pasta water, it is the secret to a sauce that stays silky instead of breaking or clumping.
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking so it stays tender and does not turn rubbery when you toss it back into the hot sauce.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta because sweet chili sauces vary wildly in heat and sweetness depending on the brand.
03 -
  • Use a large skillet so the pasta has room to toss without clumping or sticking to the sides.
  • Add the lime juice at the very end to keep its brightness instead of cooking it out.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds before sprinkling them on top for deeper nutty flavor.
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