Sweet Chili Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Tender chicken and penne tossed in creamy sweet chili sauce with bell peppers. A vibrant fusion dish ready in 35 minutes.

# What to Use:

→ 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 lime juice

→ Garnish

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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly 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 to 6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red bell pepper slices. 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 skillet and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and flavors to meld.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat with sauce. If consistency is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired texture is achieved.
07 - Transfer to serving dishes and top with sliced spring onions, fresh cilantro, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It brings together two comfort food worlds without feeling confused or overdone.
  • The balance of creamy, sweet, and spicy hits all the right notes in one bowl.
  • You can have it on the table faster than ordering takeout, with barely any cleanup.
  • It tastes indulgent but uses everyday ingredients you probably already have.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving pasta water, it's the easiest way to rescue a sauce that's too thick without diluting the flavor.
  • Sear the chicken in batches if your pan is small, crowding makes it steam instead of brown and you'll lose that golden crust.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, sweet chili brands vary wildly in heat and sweetness so adjust to your preference early.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling, it brings out a deep nutty flavor that makes the garnish worth the effort.
  • If you're meal prepping, store the pasta and sauce separately so the noodles don't soak up all the liquid and turn mushy.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime right before serving brightens everything up and makes the flavors pop like they're brand new again.
Go Back