Description
This cozy and festive chicken pasta with red and white sauce is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
- 1 lb chicken breast, bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pasta water, as needed
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions and save about a cup of pasta water.
- Cook the chicken in a skillet with salt, pepper, and paprika until done.
- Add garlic and butter to the skillet and sauté until fragrant.
- Make a quick white sauce by combining cream and parmesan in the skillet. Adjust thickness with pasta water if necessary.
- Remove one third of the white sauce for later.
- Stir tomato paste into the remaining sauce to create the red sauce.
- Toss the pasta with the white sauce and serve with red sauce spooned over the top in stripes.
- Gently swirl to create the candy cane effect.
Notes
Try adding spinach or peas for extra nutrition. Adjust the seasoning to taste before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian