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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    One-Pan Chicken Penne Arrabbiata

    Published: Sep 16, 2020 · Modified: Jan 2, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Chicken penne arrabbiata pinterest pin.

    This delicious and (mildly) fiery chicken penne arrabbiata is cooked in one pan. That's right, no need to boil your pasta separately as it cooks in the arrabbiata sauce!

    Best of all, it can be on the table in less than 40 minutes, making it a great option for weeknight dinners.

    Overhead shot of chicken penne arrabbiata  with basil leaves and mozzarella.

    My family loves this mildly spiced chicken penne arrabbiata recipe, with tender cooked chicken, in a garlicky tomato sauce, spiked with red pepper flakes and chilli. The creamy mozzarella helps to tone down the spices, meaning that the kids can enjoy it too.

    👩‍🍳 Love chicken pasta? Try my easy paprika chicken pasta recipe too!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why should you try it?
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • 🧊 Suitable for freezing?
    • ❓ FAQS
    • 😋Related recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why should you try it?

    • Made in one pan.
    • Cooks in under 30 minutes.
    • A filling and hearty pasta dish.

    🥘 Ingredients

    Olive oil - You can also use vegetable or sunflower oil.

    Onion - I used a traditional white onion, but you could substitute for a red onion.

    Garlic - 3 garlic cloves are used in this recipe, but feel free to add a few extra cloves if you like things garlicky.

    Chicken - Chopped thigh meat can be used instead of the breast meat specified in the recipe. Three chicken breasts would equate to about 6 boneless chicken thighs

    Chilli Flakes - I've tempered the spice so it's suitable for children, only adding in ¼ teaspoon. Feel free to add up to 1 teaspoon if you like things hot.

    Red Pepper Flakes - ½ teaspoon is used.

    Oregano - I love this fragrant herb in tomato based sauces. You can replace it with dried thyme if you prefer.

    Passata - The base of the pasta sauce. if you don't mind things chunky you can use chopped tinned tomatoes instead.

    Chicken Stock - Or use vegetable stock.

    Worcestershire Sauce - Adds a delicious savoury taste.

    Penne - Or another pasta shape such as rigatoni or fusilli.

    Basil - To garnish at the end of cooking.

    Mozzarella - Who doesn't love melted mozzarella.

    Parmesan - Essential for any pasta dish!

    A close up of a bowl of tomato and chicken pasta.

    🥄 Equipment

    A large shallow casserole, chopping board and sharp knife are all you need to make this easy one-pan pasta recipe.

    🔪 Instructions

    One: Heat the oil in the shallow casserole and fry the onion and garlic for a few minutes until soft.

    Two: Add the chicken breast pieces and cook for another couple of minutes until they lose their pinkness (they don't need to be completely cooked through at this point).

    Three: Add in all the other ingredients except for the basil, mozzarella and Parmesan and simmer on a low heat for 25 minutes.

    Four: Serve with the fresh basil leaves, mozzarella and grated Parmesan.

    Step by step photo instructions for making chicken penne arrabbiata.

    💭 Top tips

    • Don't skip on the garlic! This recipe uses 3 cloves but add more if you like things really garlicky!
    • Add a glug of red wine to the sauce at the same time as the stock...if you happen to have an open bottle hanging around. It will give the sauce a lovely rich depth of flavour.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    This classic tomato pasta dish is delicious on its own, or for something more substantial serve with a simple green salad and garlic bread.

    An overhead close-up photo of the tomato chicken pasta.

    📖 Variations

    • Make it veggie by omitting the chicken and replacing with Quorn pieces.
    • Up the heat by doubling the amount of chilli flakes.
    • Up the veggies by wilting in some spinach at the end of cooking or adding in some tinned sweetcorn.
    • You could use leftover roast chicken instead of the chicken breast pieces. Just stir the cooked chicken through the sauce for a few minutes before the end of cooking to warm it through.

    🥡 Storage

    The cooked chicken arrabbiata will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make sure you reheat it thoroughly in the microwave until piping hot. It makes a tasty lunch the next day, if you're lucky enough to have any leftovers.

    🧊 Suitable for freezing?

    Cooked pasta doesn't freeze that well, but if you don't mind the slightly softer, chewier texture of pasta once it has defrosted, by all means stick it in the freezer to eat another time.

    This recipe really is best when eaten fresh though, and as it only takes 30 minutes to cook, it's quick and easy to make anyway!

    ❓ FAQS

    What is arrabbiata sauce?

    Arrabbiata is a spicier version of traditional tomato pasta sauce ( sometimes known as marinara), and is flavoured with red pepper flakes and chilli flakes.

    What does arrabbiata mean?

    Arrabbiata literally means 'angry' in Italian, and refers to the spiciness of the chilli and red pepper flakes. My kids actually refer to this dish as 'angry chicken'.

    😋Related recipes

    Some more pasta recipes you might like;

    • Chorizo mac and cheese
    • Creamy bacon and pumpkin pasta
    • Chorizo and pepper pasta
    • Chicken and broccoli pasta bake
    • Easy pesto pasta
    • Penne alla vodka
    • Creamy butternut squash pasta
    • Creamy tomato pasta

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    Recipe

    overhead shot of chicken peene arrabbiata.
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    4.75 from 8 votes

    Chicken Penne Arrabbiata

    This delicious and (mildly) fiery one-pan chicken penne arrabbiata is cooked in one-pan. That's right, no need to boil your pasta in a separate pan, it cooks in the same pan as the arrabbiata sauce!
    Course Pasta
    Cuisine Italian
    Keyword chicken arrabbiata, chicken penne arrabbiata
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 663kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Shallow Casserole
    • Chopping Board
    • Knife

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Onion peeled and chopped
    • 3 Garlic Cloves peeled and chopped
    • 3 Chicken Breasts cut into bitesize pieces
    • ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon Chilli Flakes
    • 1 teaspoon Oregano
    • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • 600 g Passata
    • 600 ml Chicken Stock
    • 300 g Penne Pasta
    • 125 g Mozzarella
    • 100 g Parmesan grated
    • Small handful of Basil leaves

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil in the shallow casserole and fry the onion and garlic for a few minutes until soft.
    • Add the chicken breast pieces and cook for another couple of minutes until they lose their pinkness (they don;t need to be completely cooked through at this point).
    • Add in all the other ingredients except for the basil, mozzarella and Parmesan and simmer on a low heat for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    • Serve with the fresh basil leaves, mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.

    Notes

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    Nutrition Facts
    Chicken Penne Arrabbiata
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    663
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    24
    g
    37
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    10
    g
    63
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    155
    mg
    52
    %
    Sodium
     
    1065
    mg
    46
    %
    Potassium
     
    1572
    mg
    45
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    47
    g
    16
    %
    Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    12
    g
    13
    %
    Protein
     
    63
    g
    126
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1334
    IU
    27
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    21
    mg
    25
    %
    Calcium
     
    517
    mg
    52
    %
    Iron
     
    5
    mg
    28
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Pasta Recipes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alice | SkinnySpatula

      September 18, 2020 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love how you toned down this arrabiata! I don't particularly like fiery food, so this is the perfect recipe for me!

      Reply
    2. Jenny Walters

      September 18, 2020 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      This would be my husband's meal of choice at home. What a fabulous recipe! Thank you for sharing it with #CookBlogShare

      Reply
    3. Lata Lala

      September 18, 2020 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love how you made this arrabiata. This is the perfect recipe with chicken for my kids as they love it.

      Reply
    4. Pris

      September 18, 2020 at 11:01 am

      This pasta looks so delicious! I like that's spicy and specially a one pan recipe! Thank you!

      Reply
    5. Amanda Marie Boyle

      September 18, 2020 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      Love the heat in this dish!

      Reply
    6. Jillian

      September 18, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      One-pot meals are the best and this one is no exception! So quick, easy, and full of flavor that my whole family loves.

      Reply
    7. YtheWait

      September 21, 2020 at 10:12 am

      This looks really delicious!

      Reply
    8. Rebecca - Glutarama

      September 25, 2020 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      Such a comforting family dish and so easy to make gluten free too. I'll add this to the weekly meal planner as I'm sure my lot will love this recipe.

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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