Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta (Healthy Copycat)

This spicy chipotle chicken pasta recipe is a healthy version of the classic Cheesecake Factory favorite. It uses a couple of ingredient swaps to make a healthier version of the original recipe with the same great taste.

Jump to:

• ✅ Why This Recipe Works
• 💭 What is Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta?
• 🍎 Calories and Nutrition – Is It Healthy?
• 📋 Ingredient Notes
• 📖 Substitutions and Variations
• 🔪 Step by Step Instructions 
• 💡Expert Tips
• 💭 Recipe FAQs
• 🍽 Related Recipes
• 🍳 Recipe

✅ Why This Recipe Works

Flavorful and bold – The rich and spicy flavors of the chipotle sauce is a delicious complement to the juicy chicken and al dente pasta

Simple to make – This simple pasta dish only takes about 20 minutes to put together - no complicated prep needed!

Well-rounded healthy meal – This spicy chipotle chicken pasta is complete with pasta, packed with lean protein from the chicken, and bulked up with vegetables filled with nutrients to create a nutritious well-rounded meal.

💭 What is Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta?

Spicy chipotle chicken pasta is a classic favorite from the chain restaurant Cheesecake Factory. It consists of spicy creamy chipotle sauce mixed with chewy pasta and juicy chicken, creating a mouthwatering combination with a spicy kick.

It makes a delicious meal with a shrimp carbonara to balance the bold flavors and a side of Japanese-style brussels sprouts.

🍎 Calories and Nutrition – Is It Healthy?

Spicy chipotle chicken pasta can be a very unhealthy meal. According to the Cheesecakes Factory's nutrition info, one serving of spicy chicken chipotle pasta contains up to 1770 calories with 67 grams of protein, 103 grams of fat, and 146 grams of carbs.

This is more calories than some people's entire daily calorie intake, making this a highly caloric meal that can be very detrimental to weight loss purposes. Most of the calories come from the high amount of fats from the cream sauce and carbs from the pasta.

Thankfully, it's not hard to make this dish healthier with a few adjustments. This recipe was adjusted to be only 430 calories with 31 grams of protein, 20 grams of fat, and 50 grams of carbs. Here's what I did to achieve this:

• Pasta – Used exactly 1 portion of pasta, adding only 190 calories.
• Cream – Swapped out the heavy cream for a dairy that is less high in fats. I used half and half in this recipe. You can also opt for half and half or milk.
• Chicken thigh – Portioned and used 4 ounces of boneless skinless chicken thigh for a lean protein source.
• Use cooking spray – Instead of traditional oil for everything that was sautéd or fried. 1 tablespoon of olive oil adds a whopping 120 calories to the dish, whereas cooking spray is 0 calories.

For a detailed breakdown of each ingredient, their portioning, and how they make up the nutrition profile of the chipotle pasta, you may refer to the table below:

📋 Ingredient Notes

Pasta – I used 1 serving (52 grams) of rigatoni. You can also use penne, or any pasta shape that has ridges, as those tend to hold the sauce better.

Chicken – I used boneless skinless chicken thighs as a lean protein source. I find it to be a good balance between having juiciness while still being healthy. You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts.

Chipotle in Adobo Sauce – The key ingredient for the delicious flavor in the spicy chipotle cream sauce. Be sure to remove the chipotle peppers and just use the adobo sauce.

Half and half – I used this instead of heavy cream as a lower fat alternative for making the creamy chipotle sauce. You can also opt to use regular or low fat milk, or non-sweetened plant based milk.

See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

📖 Substitutions and Variations

Swap out chicken for shrimp – Swap out the chicken for shrimp for an equally delicious pasta recipe.

Use milk or greek yogurt – Both are also lower calorie dairy alternatives. The plain greek yogurt will have a bit of a tang and provides a creamier texture. For a dairy-free version, a plant-based milk will also work.

Add more fresh veggies – Bell peppers and peas are other common vegetables to include in this recipe.

Make less spicy – Use chipotle powder or chipotle seasoning instead of chipotle in adobo sauce for a milder spice.

Use gluten-free pasta – Swap out pasta for gluten-free pasta for those with a gluten-free diet.

🔪 Step by Step Instructions 

Prepare the pasta – Cook 1 serving of pasta in a large pot of water to al dente according to the package instructions. Be sure to take at least ¼ cup of pasta water to help the pasta sauce achieve the optimal consistency later.

Prepare the vegetables and chicken – Cut the chicken thigh into small, 1-inch cubes, removing any excess fat and season chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, cumin, and oregano. Mince the onions, garlic, and slice the asparagus.

Cook the chicken and veggies – In a large skillet, spray cooking spray and turn the stove to medium-high heat. Add in the chicken pieces and cook for about 3-4 minutes each side, or until the chicken is cooked thoroughly. While the chicken is cooking on the second side, add in the garlic, onions, and asparagus, stirring around consistently so that they don't burn.

Make the sauce – Once the chicken is done cooking and the vegetables are soft, turn the heat to low and stir in the chipotle in adobo sauce and half and half. Mix thoroughly, adding in pasta water as needed.

Add in the pasta – Add the cooked pasta and mix everything together thoroughly, continuing to add pasta water as needed.

Garnish and serve – Chop a handful of cilantro leaves and mix into the pasta. Top with chili flakes and parmesan cheese if desired and enjoy your chipotle chicken pasta!

💡Expert Tips

Use the Adobo Sauce and Omit the Chilis – The adobo sauce is what will give us the chipotle flavor for the sauce. Adding the chilis will result in a chunk sauce and very high heat.

Adjust spice levels – The chipotle in adobo sauce is only mildly spicy. If you prefer something less spicy, you can opt to use chipotle seasoning, or use less adobo sauce.

Don't Forget the Pasta Water – Pasta water here is crucial to getting the right consistency for the sauce.