Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite pasta dish—chicken penne arrabbiata! It’s a delightful explosion of flavors with that spicy kick that just makes your taste buds dance. I remember the first time I tried it at a little Italian bistro in my neighborhood; I was instantly hooked! The tender chicken, perfectly cooked penne, and that rich, robust tomato sauce with a hint of heat just wraps around you like a warm hug. Trust me, once you dive into this dish, you’ll find it’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that brings a little bit of Italy right to your kitchen! 
Ingredients List
- 2 cups penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
How to Prepare Chicken Penne Arrabbiata
Cooking the Pasta
First things first, let’s get that penne pasta cooking! Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Trust me, the salt is key for flavor! Once boiling, add your 2 cups of penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions, which is usually about 10-12 minutes. You want it al dente, so keep an eye on it! Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. When it’s ready, drain the pasta, but don’t rinse it—let that starchy goodness cling to it for the sauce. Set it aside, and let’s move on!
Sautéing the Chicken
Now, grab a large pan and heat up those 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté them for about a minute, just enough to release their amazing aroma—wow, right? Then add in the diced chicken breast. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Make sure to stir occasionally, so it cooks evenly. You want that beautiful color on the chicken, and it’ll add so much flavor to our dish!
Making the Sauce
Next up, let’s turn that chicken into a delicious sauce! Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away for about 10 minutes. This is where the magic happens—season it with salt to taste. Taste as you go, because you want that perfect balance! If you’re feeling adventurous, add a bit more red pepper flakes for extra heat!
Combining and Serving
Finally, it’s time to bring it all together! Add the cooked penne pasta into the pan with the sauce and toss it gently to combine everything. You want each piece of pasta coated in that spicy, flavorful sauce. Serve it hot, and don’t forget to garnish with fresh basil leaves for that pop of color and flavor! It looks gorgeous and tastes even better. Enjoy your chicken penne arrabbiata, and watch your family devour it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a quick and easy meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights!
- Loaded with flavor from the spicy tomato sauce, tender chicken, and al dente pasta.
- Hearty and satisfying, it’s a dish that will leave you feeling full and happy.
- Customizable to your spice preference—add more red pepper flakes for an extra kick!
- A crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress family and friends at any gathering.
- It’s a one-pan dish, making cleanup a breeze—yay for less time washing dishes!
- Perfect for meal prep; you can easily make it ahead and reheat it for lunch or dinner.
Tips for Success
- Adjust the Spice: If you love the heat, feel free to increase the red pepper flakes, but if you prefer it milder, start with half a teaspoon and taste as you go. You can always add more, but it’s hard to take it away!
- Grilled Chicken: For an extra layer of flavor, try using grilled chicken instead of sautéed. Just toss in the grilled pieces at the end when you combine them with the sauce for that smoky, charred taste. Yum!
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh garlic and quality crushed tomatoes for the best flavor. It truly makes a difference! Fresh basil is a must for garnishing—don’t skip it!
- Pasta Cooking Tip: Make sure to reserve a cup of pasta water before draining! If your sauce is too thick, you can add a bit of that starchy water to loosen it up and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Cheese It Up: If you’re a cheese lover like me, don’t hesitate to sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top when serving. It adds a delightful creaminess that pairs beautifully with the spicy sauce.
- Meal Prep Master: This dish holds up well, so consider making a double batch! It’s perfect for meal prep—just store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the breakdown of the nutritional values for one serving of my delicious chicken penne arrabbiata. Keep in mind that these numbers are an estimate based on the ingredients I used, and they may vary a bit depending on specific brands or variations. But this should give you a good idea!
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 30g
This dish packs a hearty punch in terms of protein, thanks to the chicken, while still being a well-rounded meal with carbohydrates from the pasta. Enjoy every spicy bite, knowing you’re fueling your body with something delicious!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different type of pasta? Absolutely! While penne is perfect for this chicken penne arrabbiata, you can swap it for any pasta shape you love, like rigatoni or farfalle. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly!
What if I don’t have crushed tomatoes? No worries! You can use diced tomatoes instead—just crush them a bit with your spoon while cooking. Alternatively, a good-quality tomato sauce works too, but keep an eye on the seasoning since it might already have added flavors.
Can I make this dish vegetarian? Yes! Simply replace the chicken with your favorite protein substitute, like chickpeas or tofu. You can sauté them the same way and follow the rest of the recipe as usual. It’ll still be delicious!
What should I serve with chicken penne arrabbiata? This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but if you’re feeling fancy, a simple side salad or some garlic bread would pair perfectly. A nice glass of red wine wouldn’t hurt either!
How can I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Enjoy that spicy goodness again!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
So, you’ve made this delicious chicken penne arrabbiata, and now you have some leftovers (if you can resist devouring it all in one sitting!). Here’s how to store and reheat it like a pro!
First, let it cool down to room temperature before storing. This step is super important because you don’t want to trap steam in your container, which can make your pasta soggy. Once cooled, transfer the chicken penne arrabbiata into an airtight container. It should stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure it’s sealed tight to keep those flavors intact!
When it’s time to enjoy those leftovers, I recommend reheating them on the stovetop for the best results. Simply add the pasta to a skillet over medium heat, and toss it gently, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to help loosen the sauce and prevent sticking. Stir until it’s warmed through, which should take about 5-7 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you can also use the microwave—just cover the container loosely and heat in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
Trust me, with these methods, your chicken penne arrabbiata will taste almost as good as when it was freshly made! Enjoy those spicy leftovers!
For more delicious recipes, check out this creamy truffle pasta or this vegetable pasta dish!
Z nadrukami
Chicken Penne Arrabbiata: 7 Spicy Flavors to Savor
- Całkowity Czas: 30 minutes
- Ustępować: 4 servings 1x
- Dieta: Bez Glutenu
Opis
A spicy pasta dish featuring chicken and penne in a robust tomato sauce.
Składniki
- 2 cups penne pasta
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instrukcje
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions.
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 1 minute.
- Add diced chicken and cook until browned.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, season with salt.
- Combine cooked pasta with the sauce and mix well.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil.
Uwagi
- Adjust red pepper flakes for desired spiciness.
- Use grilled chicken for added flavor.
- Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Czas Przygotowania: 10 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 20 minutes
- Kategoria: Main Course
- Sposób: Stovetop
- Kuchnia: Italian
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 serving
- Kalorie: 450
- Cukier: 5g
- Sód: 800mg
- Kwasy: 12g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 2g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 8g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 60g
- Włókno: 3g
- Białko: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Słowa kluczowe: chicken penne arrabbiata, spicy pasta, Italian chicken dish
