Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
This Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta is creamy, smoky, and packed with tender chicken and parmesan. Perfect for a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast diced
- 12 ounces roasted red peppers drained and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and the Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to combine with the garlic. Add the drained and sliced roasted red peppers to the cream, then use a spoon or an immersion blender to slightly mash or blend the peppers into the sauce, giving it a lovely, creamy texture with bits of pepper throughout.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it in the sauce. Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy roasted red pepper sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Spoon
- Immersion Blender
Notes
- For perfectly cooked chicken, ensure your skillet is hot before adding chicken pieces for a nice sear.
- Use high-quality jarred roasted red peppers for best flavor and convenience.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Grate your own parmesan for fresher, richer flavor.
- Try adding veggies like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.
