This spicy chicken pasta recipe is big on flavour, but easy on effort and time. Adaptable and ready in less than 30 minutes for a fuss free weeknight supper. Recipe includes hints and tips for adding an extra portion of vegetables to the dish.
I love big, strong, gutsy flavours. My cupboards are full of spices and condiments, and I am always adding a bit of this and that to add a hit of flavour to a dish. This no fuss chicken pasta recipe ticks all my big flavour boxes – garlic, pepper and paprika all mingle together to make a comforting pasta dish.
This easy supper is perfect for eating on the sofa with a glass of wine and your favourite box set after a busy day at work. I’ve even included a generous portion of leafy greens, so this will count towards your 5 a day! Hurrah!
Chicken with pasta?
You don’t find chicken pasta recipes in Italian cookbooks. In fact, most Italians would be horrified by the idea of serving chicken with pasta, perhaps because chicken is considered too light on flavour. Whatever the reason, it breaks the unwritten Italian food rules and the paring is generally regarded as mistake in Italy. My friend Luca wrote about why Italians won’t eat chicken with pasta.
I’ve spent weeks in Italy and adore the food, but I’m not Italian so the no chicken with pasta rule doesn’t apply to me. Plus chicken makes an easy after work supper, and this dish is delicious to non Italian taste buds!
Why you should always save your pasta water
Whenever you cook pasta get into the habit of saving a little of the water – it will help transform a good pasta dish into a great pasta dish. Add a splash of the water to the pasta sauce to give it a silky smooth texture, and to really help the sauce evenly coat the pasta. This secret makes a huge difference to all pasta dishes!
You can either use the water from the pasta when it is nearly cooked, or save it and freeze in an ice cube tray for your next pasta supper.
How to make Spicy Garlic Chicken Pasta
Step one – cut the chicken into 1.5cm / 1/2″ cubes. In a mixing bowl, mix the garlic granules, black pepper, and paprika.
Step two – add the chicken and mix well, so that the chicken pieces are all coated with the rub. The longer you can leave it for the better – ideally leave it in the fridge for 24 hours, but this is a quick after work dish so you can just mix and go!
Step three– boil a large saucepan of water, add salt and cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions.
Step four– whilst your pasta is coking heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, and fry the chicken. Turn frequently and cook until the chicken is starting to brown and has cooked all the way through.
Step five– when the pasta is nearly cooked, add the butter to the chicken along with 50 ml of the pasta water. Stir together, and let the liquid reduce to a sauce. Adding pasta water to sauces results in a deliciously smooth and unctuous sauce.
Step six– put your spinach in a sieve and drain the cooked spaghetti over it to wilt it, and shake well. Add the butter to the empty (and still hot pasta pan) and cover with the cooked spaghetti and spinach. Cook on a low heat for a few minutes, stirring the whole time, until the butter has melted and the spinach wilted.
Step seven – stir in the cooked chicken and feta, and stir in. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Our top tips for Spicy Garlic Chicken Pasta
- Prepare ahead – To get supper on the table quickly, prepare ahead by mixing up a large batch of chicken and spices, and freeze in individual portions. Take out of the freezer in the morning, and allow to defrost during the day in the fridge.
- Adding a little pasta water, to the sauce and then reducing it for a few minutes before mixing pasta and sauce makes a huge difference.
- Adjust the flavours to suit your taste. Like heat? Add some chilli powder for an extra kick.
- We used garlic granules for speed, but it you’re a garlic fan, crush a clove of fresh garlic and fry it in the oil for a minute or two before adding the chicken. Don’t let it burn, or the dish will taste bitter.
- Use gluten free pasta to make this gluten free
How to Add Extra Vegetables to Pasta Dishes
We are a huge fan of extra vegetables and try to add some to every meal.
It is really easy to add vegetables to every pasta dish you make.
- Delicate leafy greens – like spinach – plonk into the sieve and then drain the pasta over them – this is enough to wilt and cook them.
- Fibrous leafy greens – like spring greens, kale, cabbage and calvo nero – remove the thick stalks, shred and throw into the pasta saucepan for the last two minutes of cooking.
- Cauliflower and broccoli – cut into bite sized florets and cook with the pasta for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time
- Go low carb – use half the amount of pasta, and add a few cups of cauliflower.
- Beans and pulses – swap half the pasta for canned beans or chickpeas (gabanzo beans). Drain and rinse and boil with the pasta for the last 2 minutes of cooking time.
- Peas & Corn – Defrost and fry in with the chicken
- Squash and pumpkin – peel, cut into cubes and roast, then freeze in airtight boxes. Defrost (using the microwave if needed) then quickly heat by frying with the chicken.
Spicy Garlic Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 120 g skinless chicken breast (medium sized)
- ½ tsp garlic granules
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 150 g spaghetti (cook as per packet instructions)
- 50 g spinach (one large handful)
- 25 g butter (optional)
- 50 g feta (crumbled)
Instructions
- Place the cut chicken pieces, garlic granules, ground black pepper and paprika into a bowl, mix well and cover and leave in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Pour the olive oil, into a non-stick frying pan, and fry the chicken over a medium heat until starting to brown and cooked all the way though. Remove from the heat and start to cook the spaghetti.
- When the spaghetti is nearly cooked, add half the butter to the chicken along with 50ml of the pasta cooking water, reheat and bring to a simmer and allow to reduce to make a sauce.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked drain into a sieve, and shake well. Add the remainder of the butter, and the spinach to the pasta pan, then the cooked spaghetti. Cook over a low heat, stirring well until the butter is melted and the spinach is wilted.
- Stir in the chicken mixture and feta into the pasta.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe is 18 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in 2015, but was rewritten and republished with new photos, step by step instructions and hints & tips in February 2019.
If you liked this, you may also like my Speedy Spaghetti with anchovyor Pesto Chicken Pasta.
Sarah
You’ve made me realise that we rarely eat chicken with pasta, it’s normally cheese/mince or cheese/veg combo. Believe it or not, but I’ve got leftover roast chicken from last night sitting in the fridge ( Neil was going to take it to work but didn’t have time). Now I’m thinking spicy chicken pasta – it’s meant to be. :)
Helen
Sounds like the perfect Monday supper!
Helen at Casa Costello
Great idea – Would be good to see the kids eating spicy chicken on something other than pizza. Marmite on toast is the BEST! (Thinly spread though – its potent)
Helen
This is so easy to make! I love Marmite, but not quite that much.
Krystallia Giamouridou
I share the same thoughts about pasta and adding various spices to the recipe. Your version looks very colourful and I can tell from the images that the outcome is so light and delicious. Love it!
Helen
Thank you Krystallia, it is such a quick and delicious supper dish.
Annie @ Annie's Noms
I love easy weeknight meals like this! You have some gorgeous flavours going on in this dish, I really must make it soon!
Helen
Thanks Annie, so so easy. It would work with rice too.
Ali @ Home & Plate
What a lovely pasta dish. I think the spicy chicken would add the best flavor to the dish and preparing the chicken ahead of time allows you to pull it together quickly. Perfect for a busy weeknight!
Helen
You could also spice it and then freeze the chicken. I love to be prepared.
Helen @ family-friends-food.com
Was reading this and wondering how to make it veggie… then got to the end and realised you’d already thought of that! Butternut squash it is! Sounds delish :-)
Helen
I’ve got you covered! At a pinch salmon would work too.
Immaculate
Garlic and chicken is just such a great flavor combo ! Combined with Pasta and you’ve got me drooling . YUM!
Helen
This recipe is going to become a regular!
Rachel Anderson
This looks delicious. I love pasta dishes like this, all mixed together.
Helen
So quick and easy Rachel.
Francis
A lovely looking plate of quick and simple food.
Helen
Absolutely!
corina
It sounds gorgeous! My 2 children could eat marmite like your friend does – I have to stop them all the time!
Helen
I think I might have said “It’s not chocolate spread you know”
Oliver
Love me some Italian food! This looks like a fab dish and relatively easy to prepare so I’m bookmarking it for future reference!
Helen
Enjoy it when you make it.
[email protected]
What a great flavour combination and as a huge spice and herb fan I would love to re-create this dish at home. I’m with you on the marmite though!
Helen
We loved this one Laura. So easy, but so tasty.
Ren Behan
Simple and delicious. We all love Italian food at home and the subtle spices sound lovely here.
Helen
So quick and easy, as well as delicious!
Kavey
We love quick and easy pasta recipes and spicy garlic black pepper sounds a great flavouring!
Helen
So quick, delicious and falvour packed.
Helen
So quick, delicious and flavour packed.
ali randall
I am always looking for delicious recipes that I can get on the table quickly. This has everything necessary for a delicious and quick dinner during the week.
Natalie M
I really love tasty pasta dishes and they are so handy to make for mid-week meals. This sounds delicious, can’t wait to try it.
Bryan B
I actually didn’t realise that it was uncouth to have chicken and pasta in one dish. I quite often pair them, they go so well together. It is also a great tip to use a little of the pasta water. Great recipe for a very tasty supper.
Tisha
This looks so quick and easy! I am all about chicken and pasta!!!
Helen
it is such a good combination!
Heidy L. McCallum
This pasta dish looks amazing! I love how you have kicked up the flavors! I love a little spice. Saving this for later.
Helen
We love this dish, simple, but oh so tasty.
Gabi
This dish looks packed with flavor and yumminess. I’m convinced that it will easily be approved by my chicken loving hubby:)
Alison Harvey
I love the idea of tasty chicken and pasta. Perfect for a good family meal.
Tina
Ideal recipe for a quick and easy supper. I love chicken and pasta together.
Maggie T
We’re big pasta fans in this house, so this is a delicious looking dinner to make up.
Natasha
I love packing in loads of veggies in my pasta dishes. Friday is often pasta day, and I use up whatever is left in the fridge. Chicken is a nice addition.
Jade Williamson
I love a tasty pasta dish, such an easy thing to make. Just right for busy weekdays.
Andrea Bloom
I know what I’m making for dinner tonight now. This looks yummy! I really enjoy chicken with pasta.
Courtney
I make a lot of pasta dishes, its kind of my go to meal. So easy to make and nice and tasty. This looks very nice.
Sophie
I like pasta dishes that aren’t over complicated but don’t scrimp on the flavors. This is ideal. Nice and easy to make and full of tasty ingredients. Just right.
Vanessa Duncan
I have found that making pasta dishes like this and hiding veggies in it is the perfect way to get my little boy to eat more good stuff. And I love it too, so it’s an all round winner for me.
Tammy
I really enjoy chicken and pasta dishes, but I like mine to be good and spicy with plenty of chilli in. This sounds nice and tasty.