Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 tsp (5g) chili powder
  • 1 tsp (5g) smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp (2.5g) garlic powder
  • ½ tsp (2.5g) onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup, 150g)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust to taste for spice level)
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) adobo sauce (from the can of chipotle peppers)
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can (411g) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup (25g) chopped fresh cilantro
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 lb (454g) pasta of your choice (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine recommended)
  • Salt for pasta water

Instructions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine chicken with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until cooked through and lightly browned (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add the onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  5. Add the minced chipotle peppers and adobo sauce to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  7. Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached. Stir in the fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.