Description

This Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces cooked with a spicy chili seasoning, fresh tomatoes, green onions, and parsley, all combined in a rich creamy sauce with rotini pasta and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, this pasta balances spice and creaminess with fresh herbs for an inviting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

pasta

8 ounces rotini pasta, uncooked

Chicken and Seasoning

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chili powder
½ teaspoon red chili flakes
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Vegetables and Herbs

1 cup chopped tomatoes
6 green onions, chopped
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Liquids and Cheese

1 cup heavy cream or half and half
½ cup low sodium chicken broth or no sodium added
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Prepare the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, meaning it is cooked but still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later.
Melt butter and cook chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet and sprinkle them evenly with chili powder, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes until no longer pink and fully cooked through.
Add vegetables and herbs: Stir in the chopped tomatoes, green onions, and fresh parsley into the skillet with the chicken. Continue cooking and stirring for an additional 2 minutes to combine the flavors.
Add cream and broth: Pour the heavy cream or half and half and the low sodium chicken broth into the skillet. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly while blending the flavors.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet and stir everything together well, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy tomato chicken sauce.
Finish with cheese and garnish: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta and, if desired, garnish with additional chopped parsley. Serve immediately while warm to enjoy the melty, creamy texture.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
Feel free to add vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms to boost the nutrition and flavor.
Shredding your own mozzarella cheese enhances the texture and melting quality.
Leftovers tend to absorb the sauce; add a splash of chicken broth or cream when reheating to restore creaminess.
To prep ahead, make just the sauce in advance and cook the pasta fresh when ready to serve for best texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 550
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 110mg