Break Kitchen | Episode 8: Chicken Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce

23 سبتمبر 2026

3 2 دقائق

In the eighth episode of Break Kitchen, we are choosing an international recipe with a practical, home-style twist: chicken pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. It is suitable for a quick lunch or dinner, and its ingredients are readily available and can be adjusted according to what you have at home.

Preparation and Cooking Time

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

350 grams penne or any short pasta
450 grams skinless chicken breasts, cut into medium-sized cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
400 grams crushed or canned tomatoes with no added ingredients
2 tablespoons tomato paste
150 ml cooking cream
Half a cup of pasta cooking water, plus a little extra if needed
1 teaspoon paprika
Half a teaspoon dried oregano
Quarter teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons chopped parsley, for serving
30 grams grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Preparation Method

Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until tender but still firm. Reserve half a cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Pat the chicken cubes dry with clean kitchen towels and season them with the paprika, black pepper and a little salt.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and stir until browned and fully cooked inside. Transfer it temporarily to a clean plate.
In the same skillet, add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, without allowing it to burn.
Add the tomato paste and stir for one minute, then add the crushed tomatoes and oregano. Let the sauce simmer over low heat for 6 to 8 minutes.
Reduce the heat and gradually add the cooking cream, stirring until the sauce is well combined. Add a little pasta cooking water if the sauce needs thinning.
Return the chicken to the skillet, then add the pasta and toss everything together for two minutes, until the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are heated through.
Taste and adjust the salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and serve with parsley and Parmesan, if desired.

Tips for a Successful Recipe

Do not overcook the pasta, as it will continue cooking for another minute or two in the sauce.
Use a large skillet so the chicken browns rather than releasing its juices and slowly steaming.
Add the cream over low heat to keep the sauce smooth and well combined.
Pasta cooking water is useful for adjusting the consistency of the sauce; add it gradually rather than all at once.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can replace the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, making sure they are fully cooked. For a cream-free version, omit the cream and increase the amount of tomato sauce and add a little pasta cooking water. You can use a hard cheese similar to Parmesan or omit the cheese entirely.

Serving and Storage

Serve the pasta hot with a green salad or grilled vegetables. If any is left over, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. USDA guidelines recommend generally storing refrigerated leftovers for 3 to 4 days. When reheating, heat only the amount needed thoroughly.

Allergy and Food Safety Notice

In its basic form, this recipe contains wheat, gluten and milk. The cheese used may contain additional ingredients depending on the brand; check the label if you have an allergy. Keep utensils used for raw chicken separate from ready-to-eat foods, and cook the chicken completely before serving.