If you're short on time, try this Easy Spicy Chicken Pasta Recipe! It comes together in less than an hour and it's perfect for busy weeknights.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy - This spicy pasta dish does not require much prep time and it comes together in less than an hour! It's a great choice for busy weeknights!
Nourishing - This recipe is filled with fiber and nutrients thanks to the vegetables and brown rice pasta.
Allergy Friendly - Most pasta recipes contain dairy products like heavy cream, milk, or cream cheese, but this recipe is completely dairy-free! It's also made with a gluten-free pasta.
Customizable- My favorite part about this recipe is that you can easily customize it to your needs! Change up the sauce, add in different vegetables, use dairy-free cheese, or sprinkle in some extra spice.
If you love pasta recipes like this, you'll also love my Dairy-Free Artichoke Pesto Pasta, Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta, and my Easy Veggie Pasta Recipe.
🍴Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breast - My favorite organic, free-range chicken breast brands are Butcher Box and Bell & Evans. You can also use thinly sliced chicken cutlets or chicken thighs.
- Gluten-Free Pasta - My favorite pasta is made with brown rice by the brand Jovial. Fettucine, spaghetti, angel hair, or penne are also great options!
- Tomato Sauce - I used Primal Kitchen dairy-free Vodka sauce, but you can use any pasta sauce! (Jarred or homemade.) Primal Kitchen products can be found at most grocery stores or online!
- Bell Pepper - Any bell peppers will work with this recipe, but I prefer using red, yellow, or orange!
- Sweet Onion - You can also swap for a red onion.
- Pasta Water - I like to add a little pasta water into the sauce if it's too thick.
- Fresh Garlic - For the main dish you'll need freshly chopped garlic or you can use minced garlic from the jar.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - You can also swap for avocado oil or coconut oil.
- Seasoning - You'll need salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder to season the chicken breast.
Other great additions to this recipe would be chopped kalamata olives, dairy-free cheese, or baby spinach! They give the dish a little extra color and flavor.
🍴Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate Chicken Breast
Start by adding the chicken breast into a large bowl with salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir well until chicken is completely coated in the spices.
Step 2: Cook Chicken
Next, add the chicken to preheated skillet. Cook on medium-high heat for about 8 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Place the cooked chicken on a plate to rest.
Step 3: Cook Peppers & Onions
Then add about a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil to the pan with the sliced bell peppers, onion, and fresh garlic. Cook on medium-low covered until the onions are caramelized.
Step 4: Slice Chicken
Next, thinly slice the cooked chicken breast.
Step 5: Add in Sliced Chicken
Add the chicken pieces back into the large skillet with the onions and peppers and give it a good stir.
Step 6: Add in Pasta & Sauce
Cook the gluten-free pasta according to package directions, and then add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the onions, peppers, sliced chicken, tomato sauce, and about a cup of pasta water. Stir well and serve hot!
Expert Tips
- For maximum flavor, let the tomato sauce simmer with the vegetables and chicken before adding in the pasta.
- Marinate the chicken overnight or the morning of to increase the flavor and save on prep time.
- Cut the chicken after it has cooked to keep it juicy and tender. Overcooking the chicken will make it dry.
- Use a meat thermometer if you're not sure when the chicken is ready! Check that the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
- Any large pan will work with this recipe, but I love using a stainless-steel skillet with taller sides.
- To save on time, use a rotisserie chicken. Chop the meat and stir into the pasta dish.
- Cook gluten-free pasta until al dente to avoid mushy pasta.
Serving Suggestions
Add-Ins
The best part about this dish is that you can easily customize it! Try adding in cherry tomatoes, chopped kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or fresh spinach.
Salad
You can also serve this dish with a simple salad that includes mixed greens or arugula.
Bread
I love serving toasted bread with my pasta dishes! This recipe would pair well with my Cassava Flour Bread or my Herb and Garlic Bread. (Both are easy yeast-free recipes!)
Garnish
To garnish, add fresh basil and red pepper flakes. Grated dairy-free parmesan or dairy-free mozzarella cheese would also be a great addition to this dish! I love the brand Miyokos.
How to store leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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Recipe Card
Easy Spicy Chicken Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large Pan
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Chicken Breast
- 24 Ounces Tomato Sauce I used Primal Kitchen Dairy-Free Vodka Sauce.
- 12 Ounces Gluten-Free Pasta I used Jovial Brown Rice Fettucine, but any pasta will work!
- 3 Bell Peppers, Sliced Thinly
- 1 Sweet Onion, Sliced Thinly
- 1 Cup Pasta Water
- 2-4 Cloves of Garlic, Chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
- ½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
Optional
- ¼ Cup Chopped Kalamata Olives
Instructions
- Start by adding the chicken breast into a large bowl with salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir well until chicken is completely coated in the spices.
- Next, add the chicken to preheated skillet. Cook on medium-high heat for about 8 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Place the cooked chicken on a plate to rest.
- Then add about a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan with the sliced bell peppers, onion, and fresh garlic. Cook on medium-low covered until the onions are caramelized.
- Next, add the sliced chicken back into the pan with tomato sauce
- Cook the gluten-free pasta according to package directions, and then add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the onions, peppers, sliced chicken, tomato sauce, and about a cup of pasta water. Stir well and serve hot!
Notes
Expert Tips
- For maximum flavor, let the tomato sauce simmer with the vegetables and chicken before adding in the pasta.
- Marinate the chicken overnight or the morning of to increase the flavor and save on prep time.
- Cut the chicken after it has cooked to keep it juicy and tender. Overcooking the chicken will make it dry.
- Use a meat thermometer if you're not sure when the chicken is ready! Check that the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
- Any large pan will work with this recipe, but I love using a stainless-steel skillet with taller sides.
- To save on time, use a rotisserie chicken. Chop the meat and stir into the pasta dish.
- Cook gluten-free pasta until al dente to avoid mushy pasta.
How To Store Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. ** See full post for more information and step by step photos.Nutrition
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