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    Fitsian Food Life » Pasta Without Pounds

    Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta (Healthy Copycat)

    Published: Apr 22, 2023 by Clara · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    Spicy chipotle chicken pasta on a white plate with a fork.
    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:

    Calorie and macronutrient breakdown of the ingredients in this dish.

    📋 Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients for the recipe laid out on the table.

    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.

    Cooking the chicken in the pan.

    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.

    Making the chipotle cream sauce in the skillet.

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

    Mixing the pasta in with everything else.

    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.

    A side view of the pasta dish with cheese in the background.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    How spicy is this dish?

    The pasta is only mildly spicy, and should be well tolerated by most people. To make less spicy, refer to the recipe tip above.

    How do I prepare this dish in advance?

    To prepare this dish in advance, you can marinade and/or cook the chicken ahead of time and make the sauce ahead of time. When you're ready to eat, just cook the pasta and mix everything together.

    How do I store this dish?

    To store, keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

    🍽 Related Recipes

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      Carbone Spicy Rigatoni Copycat Recipe
    • Shrimp scampi pasta on a white plate with a fork twirling the pasta.
      Healthy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
    • A plate of tuscan chicken pasta with a fork twirled around the pasta.
      Healthy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
    • shrimp carbonara without cream
      Easy Shrimp Carbonara Without Cream (Low Calorie)

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & if you REALLY like this recipe, consider a review further down the page. Thank you!

    🍳 Recipe

    Spicy chipotle chicken pasta on a white plate with a fork.

    Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta

    Developed by Clara
    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.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 430 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Pasta and Sauce

    • 1 serving Rigatoni (Or pasta of choice)
    • 7 stalks Asparagus (Sliced)
    • 2 tablespoon Chipotle in Adobo sauce (Sauce only)
    • 1 clove Garlic
    • ¼ Onion (Diced)
    • 2 tablespoon Half and Half
    • 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese
    • Cilantro (For garnish)

    Chicken Spice Mix

    • 4 oz Chicken thigh (Boneless skinless)
    • Salt, pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon Paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon Oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon Cumin

    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.
    • Sauté everything – 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!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 31gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 127mgPotassium: 545mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 99IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 2mg

    Notes

    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.
    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.
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @fitsianfoodlife or tag #fitsianfoodlife!
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