Creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1.

   Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. 2.

   While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.

3. 3.

   Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, chipotle peppers, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute more.

4. 4.

   Stir in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until sauce has thickened slightly.

5. 5.

   Stir in heavy cream and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. 6.

   Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.

7. 7.

   Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Equipment

• Large pot
• Colander
• Large skillet

Tips

• For a spicier dish, add more chipotle peppers or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• You can use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts.
• Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, or avocado for extra flavor.
• Adjust the amount of heavy cream to your desired level of creaminess.