Description
How to make bold creamy chipotle chicken rotini with smoky peppers and tender pasta that brings satisfying comfort to your weeknight dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Flavor Builders
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce from can
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
Creamy Base
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Finishing Touches
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook rotini until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Build Base: Add diced onion to same skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds more.
- Add Spices: Stir in chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic and well combined throughout.
- Create Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then whisk in softened cream cheese until smooth. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened and creamy.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to skillet, add cooked pasta and cheddar cheese. Toss until cheese melts and everything is well coated, adding pasta water if needed.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta since it will continue cooking when combined with the hot sauce.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts – just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Serve immediately while the cheese is melted and the sauce is at its creamiest.
- Taste and adjust chipotle peppers based on your heat preference before adding pasta.
- Reserved pasta water is crucial for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g