Burst Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni

Remember this lovely One Pan Tomato Basil Baked Orzo I posted a couple of months again? After making it numerous instances (and watching you all fall head-over-heels in LOVE with it) I knew I needed to take these flavors and put a brand new spin on the dish.

There’s one thing so scrumptious and comforting a couple of creamy pasta dish made with a flavorful tomato sauce, and this tomato basil hen pasta is simply that. Tender pasta simmered in a luscious tomato basil sauce and topped with juicy, completely seasoned hen. Ummm are you able to say perfection in a bowl?!

This hearty pasta dish is simple to make with easy components, and might even be made with additional veggies, gluten-free, dairy-free, or together with your selection of proteins! You in all probability know by now that I’m obsessive about all issues spicy, however you can also make this one gentle for those who’re not a fan of spice or are feeding kiddos. This hen rigatoni is really a make-it-your-way kinda dinner, and I do know you’re going to adore it.

Ingredients on this tomato basil hen pasta

This lovely, spicy tomato basil rigatoni is made with easy components and tons of unimaginable flavors. It’s creamy, spicy, contemporary, and critically crave-able. Here’s what you’ll must make it:

Chicken: I like to make use of hen breasts on this recipe, however be at liberty to make use of hen thighs and see beneath for much more protein choices!
Herbs & spices: you’ll want garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes for a kick of warmth, and loads of contemporary basil.
Olive oil: you’ll additionally want a bit of olive oil for cooking the hen and making the tomato sauce.
Pasta: because the title suggests, I like to make use of rigatoni on this recipe, however be at liberty to make use of your favourite pasta form!
For the sauce: we’re making a beautiful burst cherry tomato sauce with yellow onion, cherry tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste, dry white wine (or hen broth), heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and a few easy herbs and spices. So straightforward and SO flavorful.
To garnish: I really like topping my bowl with basil, additional parmesan cheese, and purple pepper flakes.

Customize your tomato basil hen rigatoni

Yes, you’ll be able to simply swap a few of the components to suit your style preferences! Here’s what I can suggest:

To add extra greens: stir in 2 cups contemporary chopped spinach after you add within the parmesan cheese.
To add much more taste: stir in 1/4 cup basil pesto with the heavy cream.
To make dairy free: use full-fat coconut milk as an alternative of heavy cream and a dairy free parmesan cheese (or simply skip the parmesan cheese altogether).
To make gluten free: use a gluten free pasta. I counsel brown rice pasta.
To make it much less spicy: if cooking for youths or these delicate to warmth merely pass over the purple pepper flakes.

Try a brand new protein

If you’re not within the the temper for hen, attempt including:

Sliced or crumbled cooked Italian sausage or meatballs (I really like these mini pesto meatballs).
A can of drained tuna.
Or a can of rinsed, drained chickpeas or white beans or butter beans for a vegetarian model! You may merely omit the hen to maintain the whole dish vegetarian. Toss beans in on the finish or cook dinner them with the cherry tomatoes for extra taste!

How to butterfly a hen breast

I prefer to slice the hen breasts open, a way referred to as “butterflying,” in order that they’re thinner and cook dinner evenly. It retains the hen flavorful and straightforward to slice and add to your tomato basil pasta! Here’s the best way to do it (earlier than cooking the hen):

Place one hand on high of the hen breast
With a pointy knife, fastidiously slice the hen breast horizontally down the center.
Open the hen breast like a guide, then lower it into two equal-sized items.

The greatest tomato basil hen rigatoni in 5 steps

Make your pasta. Start by cooking up that rigatoni till al dente. Don’t neglect to salt your pasta water! Salt = taste.
Prep & cook dinner the hen. While the pasta is cooking you’ll be able to butterfly your hen, season it, after which cook dinner it in a big, deep skillet with a bit of olive oil.
Make the sauce. In the identical skillet you used for the hen, cook dinner down the onion, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and salt till the tomatoes start to interrupt down. Gently press down on the tomatoes to launch their juices, then stir within the tomato paste, purple pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Stir within the wine, then stir within the heavy cream and let the combination simmer.
Mix within the pasta. Add your cooked pasta and stir to evenly coat it with the sauce. Add a bit of pasta water to skinny as wanted, then add parmesan, salt and pepper. Stir in half of your basil.
Garnish & serve. Slice your hen and serve it on high of the pasta, then garnish with additional parmesan, purple pepper flakes, and basil!

What to serve with this tomato basil hen pasta

Storing tips

You can retailer any leftover tomato basil hen pasta in an airtight container within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days. Simply reheat within the microwave.

More pasta dishes you’ll love

Get all of my pasta recipes right here!

I hope you’re keen on this spicy tomato basil hen rigatoni! If you make it you’ll want to depart a remark and a ranking so I understand how you appreciated it. Enjoy, xo!

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Burst Cherry Tomato Basil Spicy Rigatoni with Chicken

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Serves6 servings

Delicious tomato basil hen rigatoni simmered in a creamy burst cherry tomato sauce with a kick of warmth from purple pepper flakes. This protein-packed hen rigatoni is great as is and ideal for customizing with additional veggies and gluten free, vegetarian, or dairy free swaps! Kiddos and adults will LOVE this weeknight meal.

Ingredients

For the hen:
1 to 1 ½ kilos boneless skinless hen breasts (ideally, 2 equal-sized breasts)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly floor black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
For the pasta and sauce:
1 pound (16 ounces) rigatoni
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup reserved pasta water
½ yellow onion, diced (or sub a shallot)
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra to style
¼ cup tomato paste
1 teaspoon purple pepper flakes
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 cup dry white wine (or sub hen broth)
½ cup heavy cream*
½ cup grated parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)
To garnish:
½ cup contemporary basil leaves, julienned
Extra Parmesan
Red pepper flakes

Instructions

Boil water for pasta: Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high warmth.
Cook the pasta: Once water is boiling, add within the rigatoni and cook dinner till al dente in keeping with the instructions on the bundle. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water earlier than draining; put aside.
Prepare the hen: While the water boils and pasta cooks, place the hen breasts on a chopping board and pat dry with paper towels. To butterfly the hen breasts, place your hand on high of the hen breast to safe it. Using a really sharp knife, fastidiously start to chop horizontally, chopping virtually by means of the opposite facet. Open the butterflied hen up like a guide and lower into two equal sized items. Repeat with the opposite breast. Season each side of the hen with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Cook the hen: In a big, deep skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high warmth. Once oil is scorching, add the hen and sear till golden brown on each side and cooked by means of, 4 to five minutes per facet. Transfer to a plate, tent with foil so it stays heat and put aside.
Prepare the sauce: In the identical skillet you cooked the hen, deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup white wine and hold over medium warmth. Cook, stirring and scraping up any bits on the underside till the wine is lowered many of the approach. Next drizzle within the olive oil, then advert the onion, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and kosher salt and saute, stirring often, till tomatoes start to interrupt down and launch their juices, 10 minutes. Once tomatoes have softened, gently press the tomatoes down with the again of a wood spoon to launch their juices, then instantly stir within the tomato paste, purple pepper flakes and Italian seasoning and cook dinner for 1 minute till tomato paste deepens in colour, which can enable the flavour to bloom. Stir in remaining white wine (or hen broth) to deglaze and permit it to cook dinner and simmer for two to three minutes over medium warmth, then stir within the heavy cream and half of the basil and let it come to a simmer. Fold within the pasta in order that it’s fully coated with sauce, including extra pasta water to skinny the sauce as wanted, then stir within the parmesan cheese, and extra salt and pepper, to style.
Serve: Slice hen and serve on high of the pasta instantly. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese, purple pepper flakes and remaining basil. ENJOY!

Recipe Notes

If you would like you’ll be able to dice the hen and stir immediately into the pasta (as an alternative of butterflying it for this recipe): Toss cubed hen with seasonings, then cook dinner hen in olive oil and sear on all sides till golden brown and totally cooked, about 5 to eight minutes whole. Remove hen from pan as directed and make the sauce. Stir the hen in once you add within the cooked pasta. This is a better model and nice for for those who like coating your hen with the sauce as an alternative of serving it over the pasta! Up to you, as all the time.
To add extra greens: Stir in 2 cups contemporary chopped spinach after you add within the parmesan cheese in step 5.
*To make dairy free: Use full fats coconut milk as an alternative of heavy cream and a dairy free parmesan cheese (or simply skip the parmesan cheese all collectively).
To make gluten free: Use a gluten free pasta. I counsel brown rice pasta.
If cooking for youths or these delicate to warmth: Leave out purple pepper flakes.