Vietnamese meets Italian in this fusion of fettucini pasta and chicken tossed in a surprisingly delicious sauce. A spicy blend of garlic chili sauce curry made of coconut milk, lime juice, fire-roasted tomatoes, herb seasoning, garlic, and onion powder.
It is finished with a grated Pecorino-Romano cheese blend and fresh basil, making this the most irresistible garlic chili chicken pasta.
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Where Vietnam Meets Italy
Welcome to a vibrant culinary experience with our Simple Spicy Garlic Chili Sauce Chicken Pasta, where the aromatic essence of Vietnam meets the rustic charm of Italy. This dish features fettuccini pasta and air-fried chicken breast tossed in a spicy garlic chili sauce curry made with coconut milk, lime juice, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a custom blend of herbs, garlic, and onion powder.
Finished with a grated Pecorino-Romano cheese blend and fresh basil, it offers a delicious fusion that balances Italian cuisine's hearty, creamy textures with the bold, complex flavors typical of Vietnamese fare.
Looking for authentic Vietnamese recipes? Hungry Huy and Vicky Pham.
Sensory Overload
Whether you're a fan of Italian flavors craving something bold or someone who loves the vibrant, punchy twist of Vietnamese spices, this spicy chicken pasta is bound to become a favorite. It's a dish that balances the best of both worlds, bringing together comforting pasta with a fiery, tangy kick that feels like a fresh discovery in every bite.
Perfect for adventurous eaters who love to explore new tastes while still indulging in a bit of familiarity, this recipe offers layers of flavor that surprise and satisfy, leaving you eager for the next forkful.
What's Garlic Chili Sauce?
Vietnamese garlic chili sauce is a popular condiment used in Vietnamese cuisine. This paste is known for its vibrant, spicy kick and the depth it adds to dishes, from salty to spicy. The sauce is made from a blend of finely chopped fresh chilies, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and salt, creating a spicy, salty, and tangy condiment that enhances the flavor of any dish.
Additionally, it has its roots in the traditional culinary practices of Vietnam, is deeply intertwined with Vietnamese street food culture, and is evolving as a beloved condiment that enhances dishes with its bold and spicy flavors.
Its Popularity
Over the years, the popularity of Vietnamese garlic chili sauce has surged globally as chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide have embraced its versatile ability to spice up not only Southeast Asian dishes but also a variety of international cuisines.
Today, it is celebrated in kitchens worldwide for imparting a quick, intense flavor boost, making it a beloved ingredient in the global culinary scene.
More Bold Pasta Flavors
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- Plant-Based: Italian Sausage with Spicy Creamy Lentil Pasta
- Loaded Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta
Ingredients with Steps
To prepare this spicy chicken pasta dish, boil the fettuccini pasta to al dente as per the package instructions and cool it down to room temperature. Chop the onion and garlic, juice a fresh lime, and set them aside.
Then, season the boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets with garlic chili sauce, avocado oil, and some of the lime juice and cook them in the air fryer. Make the pasta sauce by sauteing the onion and garlic, then add the crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic chili sauce, coconut milk, Italian herb seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Finish the dish by adding the pasta to the reduced sauce with the grated Italian cheese blend, basil, and some lime juice, adjusting it to your taste preference.
Culinary Glossary
This section provides concise definitions of key ingredients and techniques to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills related to this recipe.
- Al Dente - A term used to describe pasta cooked until it's firm to the bite, not too soft or overcooked.
- Fettuccine - This is a type of long, flat, and ribbon-like pasta, often used in creamy or rich sauces.
- Garlic Chili Sauce - A spicy condiment made from garlic and chili peppers, used to add heat and depth of flavor to dishes.
- Avocado Oil - A cooking oil derived from the avocado fruit, known for its high smoke point and mild, buttery flavor.
- Crushed Fire-Roasted Tomatoes - These are tomatoes that have been charred over an open flame to develop a smoky flavor before being crushed for sauces. I find Trader Joe's brand to be very flavorful, with a good balance of low acidity.
- Coconut Milk - A creamy liquid made from the flesh of coconuts, often used in cooking to add richness and a subtle sweetness to sauces.
- Italian Herb Seasoning - A blend of dried herbs commonly used in Italian cuisine, often including oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme. This is an essential herb blend to have in your pantry that can be used in so many dishes for a herby profile.
- Grated Italian Cheese Blend - A mixture of Italian cheeses, typically including Parmesan, Romano, and mozzarella, used to add richness and umami to a dish.
See the garlic chili sauce chicken pasta recipe card for quantities below.
Instructions with Photos
Follow the instructions and cooking tips below using the step-by-step picture guide.
Yes! It is possible to cook pasta in less water than it has traditionally been thought.
Cool down your pasta quickly by laying it out on a tray.
It's perfectly fine to cook pasta in a smaller amount of water because as long as the pasta is fully submerged and stirred occasionally, it will cook evenly while the starches concentrate, enhancing the sauce's ability to cling to the noodles.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Review: This Amazon Basics Silicone Baking Mat works exactly as it should—non-stick, easy to clean, and a perfect eco-friendly swap for parchment paper or foil. I toss it in the dishwasher after use, and it saves me from scrubbing sheet pans. If you own sheet pans, this is the companion you need. I first saw bakers using these in hotel kitchens, and now I can’t imagine cooking without one!
Thinly cutting the meat will allow the marinade to be absorbed quicker and cover more surfaces when cooking a quick meal.
Depending on the oven and air fryer, using the air fryer can cut cooking time for a quick meal.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date: 04/10/24
Review: The Cosori Turbo Blaze Air Fryer has been an absolute big help in my kitchen! The large basket is perfect for cooking bigger portions, and cleanup is a breeze—just toss it in the dishwasher, and it comes out spotless with no damage. I also love the thoughtful design, with a flat grid basket and silicone feet that prevent scratching and are super easy to remove and reinsert. The big, clear display with multiple preset temperature and time options makes cooking so quick and hassle-free, taking all the guesswork out of the process. Honestly, I love it so much that I haven’t had to pull out my Ninja air fryer since getting this one!
The base of the sauce involves sweating the onion and garlic in oil to release its aromas.
Then, add the sauce's broth to rehydrate the dried herbs.
Yes, the coconut milk will look separated. This is ok!
Combine well with the pasta to allow the pasta to soak up the sauce and release starch into the sauce.
You are not done creating a creamy sauce until you have added the cheese and combined it with constant stirring for at least 30 seconds.
The sauce will have a rich, thick texture and flavor due to the concentrated ingredients.
Then, you can add the cooked chicken since it only needs to be warmed up and not cooked again.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Purchased: 07/29/23
Update: 08/19/24
My Review: For 125 years, Lodge Cast Iron has been a family-owned company located in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. Their cookware, known for its dependability, is made of rugged, seasoned cast iron for excellent heat retention and durability. This is still my go-to Dutch oven. You'll find it in a lot of my recent videos. It's heavy, durable, non-stick, and it holds heat well. Also, a big lesson: never pre-heat an enameled Dutch oven without oil. This will crack the enamel. I learned this the hard way.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free
- Grated Italian Cheese Blend - This cheese mixture usually comprises grated Parmesan Regiano, Pecorino Romano, or both.
- As dairy-free alternatives to a grated Italian cheese blend of Pecorino Romano and Parmesan Reggiano, you can use nutritional yeast or a blend of cashew and almond flour seasoned with garlic and salt. To learn more, visit How To Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese - Minimalist Baker.
Gluten-Free
- Fettuccini Pasta - Several brands, such as Barilla, make gluten-free fettuccini; learn more here. You can also use a different-shaped gluten-free pasta. This recipe will also work with medium rice stick noodles, aka Pad Thai noodles.
Vegetarian
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - Use extra firm tofu marinated in the same marinade in a resealable bag for at least 15 to 30 minutes before cooking it in the air fryer.
- Another option would be to use a meaty type of mushroom for texture, such as portobello, king trumpet (a large version of oyster), or oyster mushrooms. A mixture of mushrooms would also be excellent.
Convenience
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - Use store-bought chicken cutlets that have either been cut thin or pounded out thin, saving you prep time. Or, if you already have boneless skinless chicken thighs, use them instead.
- Crushed Fire-Roasted Tomatoes - Use pasta sauce. Just be aware that using the fire-roasted tomatoes gives the dish a more straightforward flavor since pasta sauce has other ingredients that may make this dish sweeter, saltier, or with a different texture.
- Fettucini Pasta - Substitute this pasta in linguini, spaghetti, rigatoni, paperdelle or penne pasta.
Change Heat Level - Modify the heat level of the garlic chili sauce chicken pasta recipe to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.
Variations
- Add Vegetables - Want to serve this dish wtih some veggies? Use red bell pepper, snow peas, broccoli florets, spinach, mushrooms, and/or bok choy.
- Robust Creamy Sauce - For a creamy pasta dish, try using heavy cream with low-sodium chicken broth; after sweating, add the onion and garlic and splash with white wine for a ton of flavor and depth.
Equipment
Pasta Pot
Using a pasta pot, which typically features a built-in strainer and ample space, facilitates even cooking and easy draining, ensuring perfectly cooked pasta every time. If you wish to reduce the amount of equipment used, you can use the Dutch oven to cook your pasta.
Sheet Tray
(Optional) Cooling down the pasta on a sheet tray allows it to cool evenly and quickly, preventing it from sticking together and maintaining its texture for later use in this recipe.
Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven's thick walls and tight-fitting lid allow for even, gentle cooking, making it ideal for creating creamy, evenly cooked pasta dishes without the risk of scorching.
For this recipe, I used the Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, a trusted cast iron pot made by a company that's been around for over 186 years! You can also use a large skillet with a lid and high sides to prevent the delicious sauce from evaporating too fast.
Air Fryer
The air fryer was used conveniently to cut cooking time. However, you can cook the chicken in the oven if you can't use an air fryer.
To bake thin chicken cutlets in the oven on a sheet pan, arrange them in a single layer, seasoned with the marinade, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden and cooked through.
Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.
Storage
- Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, place the spicy chicken pasta in a shallow 2-inch container to cool down quickly. Then, store it in an airtight container. The meal will last up to four days.
- Freezer - I do not recommend freezing this recipe since the pasta will change its texture to a mushy state in the freezer.
Airtight Food Containers - I interchange glass food storage containers with plastic clipping lids or wooden push-ins. I always suggest glass storage containers because they can be microwaved, they hold food without staining, and the glass keeps the food at a more stable temperature, keeping it fresher and longer.
Try the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Containers or the Pyrex Freshlock Glass Food Storage Containers.
Cooking Tip
Your Cooking Tips Resource Guide - Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently on the Cook's Notebook tab.
Balancing Flavors - When making the garlic chili sauce pasta sauce base, taste as you go and adjust the seasoning to ensure a perfect balance between spicy, tangy, and sweet. Additionally, cook the fettuccini al dente to keep it firm enough to stand up to this hearty sauce, as instructed in the spicy chicken pasta recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
While both are spicy condiments, sriracha is generally smoother and contains more garlic and sugar, giving it a milder, sweeter flavor. Garlic chili sauce is chunkier, with visible chili seeds and a more pronounced spicy and garlicky kick.
Besides fettuccini in this recipe, Pasta types like rigatoni and pappardelle are ideal for thick, hearty sauces due to their broad, sturdy shapes that hold up well and capture more sauce.
Pasta Recipes
Looking for other pasta recipes like this? Try these:
- One-Pan Calabrian Chickpea Pasta Recipe | Fast & Flavorful
- One-Pot Curry Meatball Soup with Ground Turkey and Kale
- Bold and Spicy Caribbean Beef Noodle Soup Recipe Twist
- Healthy Haitian-Style Creole Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Chicken Recipes
Looking for other chicken recipes like this? Try these:
- Jerk Fajita Trio: 3 Must-Try Recipes for a Spicy Weeknight Cook-Up
- Air Fryer Chicken and Pork Belly Tacos | Easy & Crispy
- Easy Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken Fajitas | Oven-Roasted Yum
- Quick Spicy Potstickers | Chili Momo Tibetan Style
📖 Recipe
Spicy Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccini pasta
Garlic Chili Chicken Seasoning
- 12 ounces of boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 medium lime juiced
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic chili sauce
Garlic Chili Pasta
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 small onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon garlic chili sauce
- 1 15-ounce can of coconut milk, shaken
- 1 tablespoon Italian herbs seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup grated Italian cheese blend
- 8 basil leaves
- chopped basil for garnish, optional
Equipment
Instructions
- Save time in the kitchen: Read the instructions thoroughly, then gather and prep all your ingredients before cooking! Learn Prepping Tips.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente in salted wate, as the package recommends, but one minute shorter. Then, drain the pasta and toss it in half of a tablespoon of avocado oil. Spread out on a lined sheet pan and cool at room temperature. While the pasta cooks, prep the ingredients.
- Prepare the ingredients: Peel and chop the onion and garlic, and set them aside. Then, juice one lime and set it aside.
- Preheat Settings: For the air fryer, Preheat it to 390 °F with a cooking time of 12 minutes. For the oven, preheat it to 400 °F. Place the seasoned chicken cutlets on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
- Prepare the Chicken: Halve the chicken lengthwise and divide each half to make four large pieces from each chicken breast. Then, combine the chicken with garlic chili sauce, avocado oil, and half of the lime juice (reserving the rest for the pasta).
- Cook the Chicken: Cook the seasoned chicken cutlets, and when done, set them aside while keeping them warm. While the chicken cooks, make the pasta.
- Make the Pasta: Heat avocado oil in a Dutch oven on medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cover to sweat for 2 minutes. Then add crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic chili sauce, coconut milk, Italian herbs seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Increase the heat to medium-high to bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 8 minutes. While the sauce is reducing, thinly slice the basil and chicken on a cutting board and set them aside.
- Finish the Pasta: Add the pasta with two tablespoons of water, combine well, and cover for 2 minutes, allowing it to soak up the sauce. Then, remove it from the heat and stir in the grated cheese, basil, and some of the lime juice.
- Taste the pasta and adjust to your preference with more lime juice and/or salt. The lime will brighten the pasta dish, and the sauce should be slightly sweet with some nuttiness and a balance of chili pepper heat.
- Plate the pasta and garnish with chopped basil (optional).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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