Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

zesty chicken rigatoni

(1 rating)
Recipe by
K J
A place in, WA

A recipe that was inspired by a recipe online. Very loosely inspired, it's something I make when I get sick of all the basics :) **you don't have to use chicken, you can make it meatless, or try shrimp!**

(1 rating)
yield 4 -6
prep time 15 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For zesty chicken rigatoni

  • 1 lb
    rigatoni or penne pasta (cooked to package directions)
  • 2
    boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 2 Tbsp
    canola oil
  • 1
    dried chipotle (directions to follow)
  • 12 oz
    cream cheese (room temp)
  • ½ c
    milk or half and half
  • 1 c
    frozen corn
  • 2 md
    (1 large) tomatoes, diced or
  • 1 can
    diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1
    diced bell pepper
  • 2 Tbsp
    minced fresh cilantro or italian parsley
  • 1 tsp
    chipotle powder
  • 1 tsp
    ground white pepper
  • ½ tsp
    rubbed sage
  • ½ tsp
    onion powder
  • to taste
    salt and pepper

How To Make zesty chicken rigatoni

  • 1
    *Minced Chipotle* soak 1 dried chipotle chili in hot water 10-15 minutes, or 1 chili from 4-oz. can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Scrape seeds and rough chop, reserve the leftover liquid.
  • 2
    Add cream cheese and chipotle to food processor and blend until smooth and there are no large chipotle pieces visible. Use reserved liquid to thin slightly if necessary. Set aside.
  • 3
    Season chicken with chipotle powder, white pepper, sage, onion powder, salt and pepper.
  • 4
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook noodles according to package directions.
  • 5
    Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high, heat oil and saute the seasoned chicken until chicken is done and lightly browned.
  • 6
    Turn heat to medium-low, add the diced pepper and heat through until just barely softened. Add in the cream cheese and the milk (you can add reserved chipotle liquid now in small amounts to add more spice if you want) until it makes a smooth sauce. Stirring constantly, bring to a simmer for 2 minutes.
  • 7
    Remove from heat, stir in the corn, tomatoes and herbs. toss over noodles and enjoy :)
  • 8
    *note* If you like it more spicy feel free to play around with the amount of chipotle and bell pepper :)
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