Sweet Chili Chicken Pasta (Print View)

Vibrant fusion dish with tender chicken and pasta in a creamy, sweet chili sauce balancing heat and richness.

# Components:

→ Pasta

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

→ Chicken

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

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water following package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, then set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until golden and fully cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
04 - Pour heavy cream, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice into the skillet. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the pan and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with sauce. If consistency is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired texture is achieved.
07 - Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with sliced spring onions, fresh cilantro, and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like takeout but comes together in less time than waiting for delivery.
  • The creamy sweet chili sauce clings to every piece of pasta and chicken without being heavy.
  • You can adjust the heat and sweetness to match your mood or your crowd.
  • Leftovers taste incredible the next day, cold or reheated.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving the pasta water because it's the easiest way to loosen a sauce that's gone too thick without watering down the flavor.
  • Let the chicken get a nice golden sear before stirring it around, or it'll steam instead of brown and you'll lose that extra layer of flavor.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta because sweet chili sauces vary wildly in heat and sweetness, and you might want to adjust with more lime or soy sauce.
03 -
  • Use a large skillet so the pasta has room to toss without clumping, and the sauce coats everything evenly.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds before sprinkling them on top because it brings out a nutty aroma that makes the garnish feel intentional.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, double the sauce ingredients because people always want a little extra to drizzle over their second helping.
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