Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

Looking for comfort food with some heat? This spicy chicken chipotle pasta is exactly that. Cheesy and rich with a smoky, creamy tomato sauce, this baked pasta casserole is a flavor bomb you will love.

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Baked pastas are the ultimate comfort food dinner. Besides this spicy chicken option, we also love this penne pasta bake with meat sauce. A must-try! Maybe you want to jump on the trend train with this Marry Me chicken pasta. Creamy delish. Check out all of our dinner recipes for more inspiration.

Why you will love this recipe

It is pretty simple to throw together, even easier if you are using leftover rotisserie chicken.

If you love smoky and spicy foods, this chipotle tomato cream sauce will be right up your alley. The heat is offset with a touch of creaminess for a perfect balance.

Pasta bakes are pure comfort food, and you will be heading for seconds of this one, guaranteed.

Ingredients

Find the complete ingredient list, with measurements, in the recipe card below.

• Tomato Sauce – You can use your favorite jarred sauce. I generally use leftovers from the sauce when I make my MIL’s homemade meatballs.
• Chipotle Peppers – Grab the can with peppers in adobo sauce. This is the smoky heat that makes this recipe stand out.
• Pasta – We use penne, but any pasta should work. I like to eat gluten-free and recommend Rummo brand for some seriously good gf pasta.
• Sour Cream – This adds a touch of creaminess to the sauce and helps to balance it from the heat of the chipotles.
• Cooked Chicken – Use leftovers or grab a rotisserie for a super simple option. We like using leftovers of this honey chicken breast.
• Cheese – Shredded cheese for adding to the pasta bake with an ooey-gooey topping. You can use Parmesan cheese or my fave, marble, which features cheddar and mozzarella. Yes!
• Crushed Chili Flakes – Sprinkle on top for some added fire. Optional!

Equipment

Saucepan and Strainer – For cooking and straining the pasta.

Mixing Bowl – I use a large mixing bowl to stir the sauce together and then toss it with the cooked pasta.

Casserole Dish – A 9×11 casserole dish is our choice and works perfectly for baking the pasta. I also use it to store leftovers, covered in the fridge.

Instructions

Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.

Step 1

Start by heating the oven and lightly brushing the casserole dish with olive oil.

Step 2

Next, boil salted water in the pan and cook the pasta to al dente. You can use the package directions for the pasta of your choice.

Step 3

Meanwhile, add the tomato sauce and sour cream to the large mixing bowl and stir them together.

Chop the chipotle peppers and add them to the bowl, and stir again to combine into a spicy, creamy sauce.

Step 4

Once it is cooked, strain the pasta. Add the strained pasta to the bowl with the chipotle sauce mixture and toss to coat. Add the cooked chicken and stir once again.

Step 5

Next, pour the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Cover the pasta evenly with the shredded cheese.

Step 6

Finally, pop the dish into the oven and bake until the top is golden and bubbling. This takes about twenty minutes or so. I like to turn on the broiler at the end for 3-4 minutes to get a bit of a crust. Yum!

Substitutions and recipe variations

Swap out the chicken for cooked ground beef for a protein-packed meal. Or make it vegetarian by using plant-based protein such as chickpeas or beans instead of meat. Opening a can of beans is always a timesaver on busy weeknights.

Add more vegetables, such as onion, asparagus, green peas, and yellow and red bell peppers. These veggies make this recipe similar to the classic dish from the Cheesecake Factory.

Lighten the recipe up a tad by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for the creamy component.

Serving suggestions

Serve warm as an entree with a simple lettuce salad <— my fave!

Garnish the top with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for some fresh flavor and a pop of color.

FAQS

Storage tips

To Store: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days. In my experience, this recipe does not freeze well.

To Reheat: Reheat at 350°F until heated through, approximately 20-25 minutes. I recommend covering the dish with foil while reheating to keep it from drying out.

More recipes

If you’ve tried this spicy pasta, please give me a rating and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!

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