Description
A bold and creamy pasta bake featuring tender chicken, smoky chipotle peppers, sweet honey, and melty cheese. It’s the perfect comfort dish with a kick.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 cup green peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mix)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease your baking dish.
- Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a pan, sauté garlic, bell peppers, and onions in olive oil until slightly tender. Stir in chipotle peppers, honey, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, green peas, cooked veggies, and half the cheese with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
- Pour the mixture into the baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Start with a small amount of chipotle and add more if you like it spicy.
- Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Shred your cheese fresh for better melt and flavor.
- Can be assembled ahead and baked later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: honey chipotle pasta, chicken pasta bake, creamy chipotle pasta, spicy pasta recipe, easy dinner ideas