Sweet Chili Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and penne tossed in creamy sweet chili sauce with red peppers and fresh garnish. A vibrant fusion favorite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

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

→ Chicken

03 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (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 fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# How To Make It:

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 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 and cooked through. 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 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 skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water one splash at a time until desired consistency is reached.
07 - Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with sliced spring onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like takeout but comes together faster than delivery would arrive.
  • The sweet and spicy balance makes even picky eaters ask for seconds.
  • You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and 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 making it watery.
  • Cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces or you'll end up with some overcooked and some undercooked, which is frustrating when everything else is perfect.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta because every brand of sweet chili sauce has a different heat level.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on top, it makes them nutty and fragrant.
  • Use rotisserie chicken if you're short on time, just shred it and toss it in with the sauce to warm through.
  • A squeeze of extra lime juice right before serving brightens everything up and makes the flavors pop even more.
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