Easy and SO flavorful Chicken Arrabbiata pasta! It is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for weeknight dinners!
Chicken Arrabbiata Pasta
I really like this dish because it is a full meal and I don't have to serve it with any other dishes.
In this recipe, I tossed the pasta with onions, minced garlic, fresh tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce and juicy tender chicken. The best part is that this is a one-pot recipe and is made in 30 minutes.
The pasta sauce is not too spicy. The one secret for this sauce is the balance between the tomatoes and the spicy chilli peppers.
What's in Chicken Arrabbiata pasta?
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Chicken breasts: I use boneless and skinless chicken breasts cut into small size cubes. You can replace it with chicken thighs if you like.
- Olive oil: You may also use vegetable oil or sunflower oil instead of olive oil.
- Onion & Garlic: Finely chopped.
- Penne pasta(uncooked): You can use any type of pasta such as fusilli, macaroni or farfalle; however, penne pasta is the one that is traditionally used.
- Tomato sauce: I use just 1 jar of store-bought tomato sauce about 340g. You can also use homemade sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce: This sauce gives a unique flavour to the whole dish.
- Chicken broth: The chicken broth enhances the flavour of the dish. You can also use vegetable stock.
- Basil leaves: I use some fresh basil leaves for the pasta and some for garnishing.
- Seasoning: I use ground black pepper, red pepper flakes and dried oregano.
- Parmesan cheese: Use grated parmesan cheese for serving to complete the dish. You can replace it with Mozzarella if you like.
How to Make Chicken Arrabbiata pasta?
Cooking the chicken breasts: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the chicken, salt, pepper, pepper flakes and dried oregano; cook for 4-5 minutes or until the chicken becomes brown. Add the onion and garlic, then cook for 3-4 minutes more.
Adding the other ingredients: Now, add the uncooked pasta, Chicken broth, Tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce, stir well, then bring it to a boil. After that, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the pasta is fully cooked.
Garnishing: Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, then serve.
Some Variations
- Veggies: Use veggies of your choice such as zucchini, olives, carrots, broccoli are delicious and a healthy option.
- Shrimp Arrabbiata: Shrimp can be added to the pasta instead of chicken.
- Arrabbiata meatballs: Add meatballs to the pasta and follow the same recipe.
- Gluten-free: Choose your favourite gluten-free pasta, and you are good to go.
- This dish is not too spicy. You may add pepper flakes based on your taste and can also make it kid-friendly by adding fewer pepper flakes.
- You could use leftover chicken shreds instead of chicken breast.
Serving suggestions
This dish is delicious on its own and does not require any sides. But, if you’re looking for options, I recommend:
- Rocket salad with parmesan
- Homemade coleslaw salad
- Lemon garlic potato salad
- Mediterranean couscous salad
- Roasted cauliflower
Recipe FAQs
Marinara sauce is also an Italian flavoured sauce made using tomatoes. The only difference is that the Arrabbiata sauce consists of red chilli pepper flakes which give a rich flavour to the sauce.
Fresh pasta takes less time to cook than dried pasta; also, it doesn’t absorb much liquid. But it I prefer to use dried pasta for the pasta Arrabbiata as it allows it to hold up the sauce better.
More Pasta Recipes
- Pasta al forno (italian baked pasta)
- Italian shrimp pasta salad
- Pesto pasta - with homemade pesto sauce
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Recipe Card
Quick Chicken Arrabbiata Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 500 g chicken breasts , boneless and skinless, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 large onion , chopped
- 5 cloves garlic , minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 350 g penne pasta
- 500 g tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 6 leaves fresh basil , for serving
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese , for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the chicken, salt, pepper, pepper flakes and dried oregano; cook for 4-5 minutes or until the chicken becomes brown. Add the onion and garlic, then cook for 3-4 minutes more.
- Now, add the uncooked pasta, Chicken broth, Tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce, stir well, then bring it to a boil. After that, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the pasta is fully cooked.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, then serve.
Mia says
This chicken and pasta recipe is so quick and made in one pot. LOVE it!
Jennifer says
Hi how much of each ingredient do i need,as it doesn't specify
Tina says
This Arrabiata recipe is so simple! and my son loved it. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Marlen says
This dish was so flavourful! I added extra red chilli flacks. My husband and I loved this recipe because it is a one-pot meal 🙂