The Ultimate Creamy Chicken All’Arrabbiata: A Perfect Blend of Spice and Comfort

Are you looking for a pasta dish to lift your midweek meals out of a rut? Something that sings with flavour, feels wonderfully indulgent, but is surprisingly simple to make? We know that feeling of wanting to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Imagine a meal that perfectly marries the fiery kick of chilli with tangy tomatoes and a decadent, velvety cream sauce, all brought together with tender pieces of chicken. Well, your search is over. Allow us to introduce your new go-to dinner: our sensational Creamy Chicken All’Arrabbiata.

This recipe takes the classic Roman “angry” sauce and soothes its fiery spirit with a touch of cream, resulting in a beautifully balanced and deeply satisfying meal. It’s the sort of comforting dish you will find yourself wanting to make again and again. So, let’s get cooking and bring a taste of Italian passion right to your dinner table.

What Exactly is Arrabbiata Sauce?

Before we create our creamy masterpiece, let’s explore its origins. In Italian, “Arrabbiata” means “angry,” a name that perfectly describes the sauce’s fiery character. Originating from the Lazio region surrounding Rome, a traditional arrabbiata sauce recipe is a beautifully straightforward combination of garlic, tomatoes, and dried red chilli flakes simmered in olive oil. You can delve into its rich backstory, which traces its origins to the bustling trattorias of Rome. The history of this “angry” sauce is a wonderful example of how simple, bold ingredients form the cornerstone of authentic Italian cuisine.

The true charm of arrabbiata is its simplicity; it is unapologetically spicy and full-bodied. By introducing chicken and cream, we are not trying to tame its spirit but rather to add a new layer of complexity. The cream softens the sharp notes of the chilli and tomato, while the chicken turns the dish into a complete, protein-rich main. We consider it a modern interpretation that enhances its delicious nature.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Symphony of Flavours: We have carefully balanced the ratio of spicy chilli, vibrant tomato, and rich cream. Every forkful offers a perfect harmony of heat, savouriness, and luxury.
• From Pan to Plate in Under 40 Minutes: This is the perfect dish for a hectic weeknight. It delivers exceptional taste with very little effort, ensuring a delicious dinner is ready in no time.
• You Control the Heat: You are in charge of the spice level! Feel free to adjust the quantity of red chilli flakes to make your sauce as gently warming or as fiercely “angry” as you wish.
• Wholesome and Comforting: This is so much more than a simple pasta dish. The inclusion of tender chicken breast makes it a substantial and filling meal that is sure to leave everyone feeling happy and satisfied.
• Made with Pantry Staples: The chances are you already have most of these ingredients to hand, making this an excellent option for an impromptu, flavour-packed meal.

Ingredients for Your Creamy Chicken All’Arrabbiata

We are firm believers that the finest meals begin with quality, fresh ingredients. Although this is a straightforward recipe, selecting good-quality components will elevate the flavour of your final dish significantly.

For the Chicken and Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Two boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks. For an even richer taste, feel free to use chicken thigh fillets.
• Penne Pasta: We find 400g of penne is the ideal choice, as its tubular shape and ridges are perfect for capturing every bit of the delicious sauce. Rigatoni or fusilli are also excellent alternatives.
• Olive Oil: A tablespoon is needed to cook the chicken perfectly.
• Salt and Black Pepper: For seasoning the chicken before cooking.

For the Creamy Arrabbiata Sauce

• Olive Oil: You’ll need another tablespoon to form the base of the sauce.
• Garlic: 3-4 cloves, either finely chopped or minced. We adore garlic, so don’t hesitate to add an extra clove or two if you do as well!
• Red Chilli Flakes: 1-2 teaspoons, adjusted to your personal preference for heat. Gently toasting them in the oil at the beginning helps to release their full fiery potential.
• Tinned Chopped Tomatoes: A 400g tin is required. If you can get your hands on San Marzano tomatoes, we highly recommend them for their natural sweetness and lower acidity, which creates a truly superior sauce.
• Tomato Purée: One tablespoon will help to intensify that rich tomato flavour.
• Double Cream: 150ml is the magic ingredient that lends the sauce its distinctive creamy and luxurious finish.
• Fresh Basil: A small handful of leaves, which can be torn or roughly chopped, adds a fresh, aromatic lift at the end.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated, to be served over the top. For us, this is absolutely essential!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Dish

Are you ready to make a little kitchen magic? We’ve designed this recipe to be as clear and simple as possible. Just follow our steps, and you’ll soon be sitting down to a stunning bowl of penne all’arrabbiata with chicken.

1. Cook the Pasta: First, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a vigorous boil. Add your penne and cook it following the packet instructions until it is ‘al dente’, which means it still has a slight bite. Before you drain it, remember to save a cup of the starchy cooking water – it’s our secret weapon for perfecting the sauce later on!
2. Prepare and Cook the Chicken: As the pasta cooks, pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel before seasoning them well with salt and pepper. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until it’s beautifully golden and cooked all the way through. Then, remove the chicken from the pan and pop it on a plate for later.
3. Start the Arrabbiata Sauce: Using the same pan, add the second tablespoon of olive oil. Turn the heat down to medium and add the minced garlic and red chilli flakes. Fry for around 30 seconds until their wonderful aroma fills your kitchen, but be very careful not to let the garlic catch and burn. This stage is vital for creating the flavour foundation of your creamy spicy tomato sauce.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Pour the tinned tomatoes into the pan, followed by the tomato purée. Stir to combine everything, making sure to scrape up any flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for approximately 10 minutes. This will help the flavours to develop and the sauce to thicken up nicely.
5. Make it Creamy: Turn the heat down to low and pour in the double cream. Stir it through gently until the sauce is silky smooth and has transformed into a beautiful pale orange hue. Now is the time to taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. If your sauce is a little too thick, just add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
6. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked chicken back into the pan with the sauce. Tip in the drained pasta and the fresh basil. Give it all a thorough stir to make sure every single piece of pasta and chicken is generously coated in that glorious sauce. Serve straight away in warmed bowls, with a lavish grating of fresh Parmesan cheese and a few more basil leaves scattered on top.

Our Top Tips for the Best Spicy Chicken Arrabbiata

With just a few of our favourite tricks, you can elevate your spicy chicken arrabbiata from merely delicious to truly spectacular. Here are the tips we’ve learned over time that make all the difference.

• The Secret to Perfect Pasta Texture: We always advise cooking your pasta for a minute or two less than the packet suggests. It will finish cooking in the hot sauce, which ensures it remains perfectly ‘al dente’ and never turns soft or mushy.
• Our Not-So-Secret Weapon: Pasta Water: We cannot emphasise this enough! The starchy water from cooking the pasta is a brilliant natural emulsifier. It helps the sauce adhere beautifully to the pasta, giving it a silky, restaurant-quality finish.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan is Best: Please try to avoid the pre-grated variety in tubs. Grating a block of Parmesan just before serving provides a far superior flavour and melts into the dish much more effectively.
• Mix Up the Protein: While this recipe makes a wonderful alternative to Chicken Mozzarella Pasta, you can easily switch the chicken for succulent king prawns or crumbled spicy Italian sausage to create another delicious version of this dish.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This wonderful Italian chicken pasta is a complete meal in itself, but a few well-chosen accompaniments can make it even more special. We adore serving it with a crisp side salad dressed in a simple lemon vinaigrette, as its freshness cuts through the richness of the sauce. A few slices of warm, crusty garlic bread are also a must-have for soaking up every last bit of that incredible sauce. For a similar dish that is guaranteed to impress, you should try our renowned Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe.

In terms of wine pairings, a crisp, dry white such as a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc works wonderfully. If you are more of a red wine drinker, we suggest choosing a light-bodied red with good acidity, like a Valpolicella or a Barbera, which will complement the sauce without overwhelming it.

FAQ

A Dish Worthy of Your Weekly Rotation

Our Creamy Chicken All’Arrabbiata is so much more than a recipe; it’s a celebration of bold Italian flavour, thoughtfully adapted for the home cook. It manages to be both fiery and comforting, simple yet elegant. It is quick enough for any weeknight but special enough to serve when you have guests. The beautiful heat of the chilli, the sweetness of the tomatoes, the richness of the cream, and the savoury chicken all unite in a perfect culinary chorus that will have everyone asking for more.

We are confident that this dish will quickly earn its place as a firm favourite in your household. So, we invite you to give this Creamy Chicken All’Arrabbiata a try this week. We would be thrilled to hear how you get on! Please feel free to leave a comment and a rating below to let us know what you think.

Creamy Chicken All’Arrabbiata: A Spicy Twist on an Italian Classic

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A wonderfully balanced pasta dish that combines fiery arrabbiata sauce with tender chicken and a luxurious touch of cream. Perfect for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner that feels truly special.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, in bite-sized pieces
• 400g penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 tsp red chilli flakes
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 150ml double cream
• Small handful fresh basil, torn
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and cook chicken until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil. Sauté garlic and chilli flakes for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato purée. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Reduce heat to low, stir in the double cream until smooth. Season to taste. Use pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
6. Return the chicken to the pan, add the drained pasta and fresh basil. Stir to coat everything in the sauce. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan.

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