Hot and Spicy Chicken Pesto and Pasta

Turn up the heat in your kitchen with this Hot and Spicy Chicken Pesto and Pasta recipe, a fiery twist on a classic favorite that will delight your taste buds! Tender strips of paprika- and cayenne-seasoned chicken are pan-seared to perfection, then tossed with al dente penne pasta and a luscious basil pesto sauce infused with garlic and a kick of red chili flakes. Finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and optional fresh basil, this bold and flavorful dish strikes the perfect balance between creamy and spicy. Ready in just 40 minutes, it's an easy yet impressive dinner option for spice lovers and pesto fans alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 cup prepared basil pesto
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.

Step 4

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red chili flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.

Step 6

Lower the heat and stir in the prepared basil pesto. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the pesto sauce.

Step 8

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring well to combine with the pasta and sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat everything through.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and gently toss.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your Hot and Spicy Chicken Pesto and Pasta!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1020.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3157.3

Total Fat 151.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 355.0mg	0%
Sodium 5611.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 271.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.6g	0%
Total Sugars 4.3g
Protein 179.4g	0%

Vitamin D 3.5IU	0%
Calcium 901.0mg	0%
Iron 19.0mg	0%
Potassium 1923.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.1%

Protein: 22.7%

Carbs: 34.3%