This One Pot Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta is a delicious blend of tender chicken, garlic, juicy tomatoes, and sweet red peppers, all coated in a rich, creamy sauce. The warmth of red chilli flakes brings a subtle spicy kick, adding depth without overpowering the dish.
With everything cooked in just one pot, this easy recipe makes both cooking and clean-up effortless. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners, it delivers bold, comforting flavours with minimal fuss. Pick your favourite sides and dive into this yummy dish that's ready in minutes.
Calories in One Pot Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta
This pasta recipe serves 4 and is 503 calories per serving
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 500+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Needed
To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - Lean and tender, chicken breast is a great source of high-quality protein, adding a satisfying bite while absorbing the dish's flavours.
- Herbs/Spices: Paprika, Red Chilli Flakes, and Parsley - Paprika provides warmth, red chilli flakes add a mild kick, and parsley brightens the dish with a refreshing herbal note.
- Salt and Pepper - Essential for enhancing flavours, these seasonings bring out the best in every ingredient.
- Onion - Adds natural sweetness and a savoury base that complements the richness of the sauce.
- Red Bell Pepper - adds a sweet and vibrant colour to the dish.
- Garlic (Jarred Minced) - Adds fragrant depth and enhances the overall flavour with its rich aroma.
- Fresh Ripe Tomato (pulp/seeds removed) - Using a meaty variety (like roma), the tomato breaks down into the sauce, creating a deliciously rich flavour that's less acidic than some canned options, helping to keep the dish light and balanced.
- Tomato Paste - Deepens the tomato flavour and enhances the sauce with concentrated savoury sweetness.
- Stock - Infuses the sauce with rich savouriness while keeping the pasta moist.
- Milk - Creates a creamy base, adding smoothness without heaviness.
- Penne -Ideal for holding onto the creamy sauce, with ridges that catch every bit of flavour.
- Light Cream Cheese - Adds a creamy, tangy element for a luscious texture without excess richness.
- Parmesan - Provides a sharp, nutty flavour that deepens the sauce, essential for creamy pasta.
- Olive Oil Spray - Prevents sticking while adding a hint of flavour without excess oil.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Variations and Substitutes
- Protein Options: For a different protein, consider using diced turkey, pork or even shrimp (prawns), or even firm meat free substitute for a vegetarian option. Each will bring its unique flavour to the dish.
- Pasta Choices: While penne works wonderfully, feel free to swap it for any pasta shape you prefer, such as fusilli or rigatoni, which will also hold the sauce well.
- Vegetable Additions: Amp up the nutrition by adding other vegetables like spinach, kale, or zucchini. Simply toss them in during the last few minutes of cooking to keep them vibrant and tender.
- Dairy Alternatives: For a dairy-free option, substitute light cream cheese with a non-dairy cream cheese and use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk.
- Spice Adjustments: Adjust the heat to your preference by increasing or decreasing the red chilli flakes, or adding a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick.
- Tomato Variations: If fresh tomatoes aren't available, you can substitute with high-quality canned diced tomatoes or fire-roasted varieties, which will still provide a robust flavour.
- Herb Substitutes: Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can be used in place of parsley for a different aromatic twist, adding a new layer of flavour to the dish.
Feel free to mix and match these variations to create your perfect version of this creamy pasta dish!
Tips for Cooking One Pot Recipes
- Use the Right Pan: A large flat-bottom deep frying pan with a lid ensures even heat distribution and provides enough space for cooking without overcrowding.
- Prep Ingredients Ahead: Chop and measure all ingredients beforehand to keep the cooking process organised and efficient.
- Layer Flavours: Sauté aromatics like onion and garlic first to build a rich flavour base.
- Don't Rush: Allow each ingredient to cook to ensure even cooking and proper texture.
- Maintain the correct Heat: Keep the heat at a medium to medium-high level. This helps the liquid reduce properly and ensures all ingredients cook thoroughly.
- Adjust Liquid Levels: If the sauce is too thick or reduces too fast, add an additional splash of stock or milk to achieve your desired consistency.
- Stir Occasionally: Stirring helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking, but avoid over-stirring to keep ingredients intact.
These tips will help you create a delicious, hassle-free one-pot meal!
Sides to Serve with Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta
Wondering what sides to pair with this pasta recipe for a filling, balanced meal? Choose one or a combination of these sides to complete your dining experience!
- Roasted Broccoli: A perfect complement to the creamy pasta, roasted broccoli seasoned with olive oil spray adds a delightful crunch and earthy flavour. The slight bitterness of the broccoli balances the richness of the dish, making it an ideal side.
- Side Salad: A fresh salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber (and any of your other favourite salad items), and a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta. You can jazz it up with your favourite toppings, such as nuts or cheese.
- Steamed Asparagus: Lightly steamed asparagus drizzled with lemon juice offers a bright, zesty side that pairs well with the creamy pasta, adding a pop of colour and nutrition.
- Grilled Vegetables: A mix of grilled vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant, provides a smoky flavour that complements the dish beautifully, adding both taste and texture.
- Roasted Green Beans - one of my favourite sides.
- Sauteed Seasoned Courgette (Zucchini) - fry some courgette slices in your favourite seasoning with olive oil spray.
More One Pot Recipes
Love the ease of one pot recipes? Check out some of these other options on Slimming Eats:
see more One Pot Recipes
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta
While you can freeze the dish, keep in mind that reheated pasta may not be as desirable for some, as it can become mushy. If you do freeze it, store it in an airtight container and consume it within three months for the best quality. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of stock or milk to revive its creamy texture.
To prepare this recipe for two, simply halve all the ingredients and use a smaller pan. This ensures even cooking and helps maintain the flavours while keeping portion sizes appropriate for a smaller meal.
If there's still excess liquid after cooking, it may be due to not maintaining a high enough heat. Keeping the heat at medium to medium-high allows the liquid to reduce properly, helping to cook the ingredients thoroughly and create a creamy sauce.
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Recipe Card
One Pot Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta
This One Pot Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta is a delicious blend of tender chicken, garlic, juicy tomatoes, and sweet red peppers, all coated in a rich, creamy sauce. The warmth of red chilli flakes brings a subtle spicy kick, adding depth without overpowering the dish.
Ingredients
- 600g (21oz) Chicken breast raw, bitesize pieces
- 1 tablespoon of paprika (sweet)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of red chilli flakes
- 2 tablespoons of dried parsley
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
- 4 teaspoons of minced garlic (jarred)
- 250g of fresh ripe tomato, chopped (seeds and juice removed)
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 240ml (1 cup) of 2% milk
- 600ml (2.5 cups) of chicken stock
- 240g of uncooked penne pasta
- 80g of light cream cheese
- 30g (1oz), Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- additional salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken with the paprika, red chilli flakes, salt, pepper, and half of the parsley. Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a deep, large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, spray with olive oil spray and add the chicken. Cook until lightly golden, then remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Spray the pan with more olive oil spray, then add the onion and red pepper. Fry until softened. Next, add the garlic and fresh tomatoes, cooking for approximately 5 minutes until the tomatoes break down and soften. Stir in the tomato paste.
- Add Liquid and Pasta: Pour in the stock and milk, then add the pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer until the liquid is almost absorbed and the pasta is cooked. Approx 10-12 minutes
- Combine and Finish: Add the chicken back to the pan along with any juices from the plate. Dot the cream cheese in small spoonfuls rather than one large clump and then stir in the remaining parsley. Mix until the pasta is creamy and coated, and the chicken is heated through and fully cooked. Then stir in the parmesan.
- Taste and Season: Taste the dish and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve with your choice of sides and enjoy!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- ❄️ Suitable for Freezing
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Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 503Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 207mgSodium 883mgCarbohydrates 55gFiber 4gSugar 7gProtein 50g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Kate says
Hi
I should like to make this, but am confused about the tomatoes. Do you mean we should remove the tomato innards? Sorry to be slow!
Thank you for your recipes. Followed you for years, and now have your books, too!
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
yes seeds and pulp