Spicy Creamy Chicken Pasta

5 from 1 vote

Our Spicy Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe features juicy chicken breasts seared to perfection in a delicious blend of olive oil, garlic, and aromatic herbs. A kick of crushed red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of heat, balanced with the richness of creamy sauce made from marinara and heavy cream.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Spicy Creamy Chicken Pasta

Servings:

Calories: 348kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound chicken breasts
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces marinara sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups cooked pasta
grated parmesan and fresh basil optional for serving

Instructions

Cook the chicken breasts. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear in a hot skillet for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts and sear for another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet, slice, and set aside on a plate.
Make the sauce. Deglaze the hot pan with 1/2 cup of chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the garlic and cook for a minute. Add the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, basil, thyme, salt and pepper. Stir will. Blend in the heavy cream. Add the sliced chicken breasts back to the pan.
Serve. Serve over cooked pasta or rice. You can keep the chicken separate from the sauce and drizzle the sauce over pasta and chicken slices. Sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Video

Notes

If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water, chicken broth or cream to thin it out.
If the sauce is too thin, let is simmer for a few minutes or stir in grated parmesan to help absorb excess liquid.
Besides chicken, add or swap with cooked shrimp, Italian sausage or ground beef. Make vegetarian by using tofu or opting for a lentil or chickpea pasta.

Nutrition