Savoury Chicken Spaghetti With Red Sauce Recipe

This Chicken Spaghetti with Red Sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that combines succulent chicken, rich tomato sauce, and al dente pasta. With just a few simple ingredients like pasta, chicken, tomatoes, garlic, and onion, you can create a satisfying and flavourful meal that the whole family will love.

Also see: Microwave Chicken Guide: How To Cook Chicken In The Microwave

The sauce is made with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, spices like red pepper flakes and oregano, and a hint of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and oregano for added flavour.

Serve this savoury chicken spaghetti with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese and some fresh basil for the perfect finishing touch. It's a comforting and delicious dish that is perfect for weeknight dinners, and it will quickly become a favourite in your meal rotation.

Ingredients for Chicken Spaghetti With Red Sauce

The key to making a delicious Chicken Spaghetti with Red Sauce lies in the quality and combination of ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

Pasta:

• Your choice of pasta (e.g., spaghetti, penne, fusilli)

Chicken:

• Boneless chicken breasts or thighs, skinless

Sauce:

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Garlic
• Onion

Seasoning:

• Salt
• Red pepper flakes
• Oregano
• Sugar

Others:

• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Parmesan cheese

Feel free to use any type of pasta that you have on hand, as it's a versatile dish that works well with various shapes and sizes. Additionally, you can opt for boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor, if you prefer.

To bring out the delicious flavors in the sauce, don't forget to season it with salt, red pepper flakes, oregano, and a touch of sugar. Adding Italian seasoning can also enhance the taste if desired.

Once you've gathered all these ingredients, you're ready to create a mouthwatering Chicken Spaghetti with Red Sauce that will leave your taste buds wanting more.

Quantities of Ingredients

How to Make Chicken Spaghetti With Red Sauce

To make Chicken Spaghetti with Red Sauce, start by cutting up the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Then, marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and oregano for 30-60 minutes. While the chicken is marinating, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil to make the sauce.

Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and fresh basil to the sauce, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until it's cooked through.

Ingredients for Chicken Spaghetti With Red Sauce:

• Chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Garlic
• Salt
• Oregano
• Onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Sugar
• Red pepper flakes
• Dried oregano
• Fresh basil

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until it's al dente, then drain it. Finally, add the cooked chicken to the sauce and serve it over the pasta. Don't forget to sprinkle some fresh parmesan cheese and basil on top for added flavor.

Tips for Perfectly Boiled Pasta

Cooking pasta perfectly is key to achieving the best texture and taste. Follow these tips to ensure your pasta is cooked to perfection:

1. Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. The amount of water should be generous enough to allow the pasta to move freely.
2. Add salt to the boiling water. The water should be salty like the sea to properly season the pasta. A good rule of thumb is to use 1-2 tablespoons of salt for every 4 litres of water.
3. Avoid adding oil to the water. Contrary to popular belief, adding oil to the pasta water does not prevent sticking. In fact, it can create a barrier that prevents the sauce from adhering to the pasta.
4. Give the pasta a stir occasionally to prevent sticking. This will help ensure that each strand cooks evenly and doesn't clump together.
5. Reserve some pasta water before draining. The starchy pasta water can be used to help loosen and emulsify the sauce, creating a velvety texture.
6. Drain the pasta when it is al dente, which means it is cooked but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and lose its texture.
7. Toss the drained pasta immediately in the sauce. This allows the pasta to absorb the flavors of the sauce and ensures that it stays warm and doesn't stick together.
8. Avoid rinsing the pasta with cold water. The starch on the noodles adds flavor and helps the sauce adhere to the pasta. If you need to cool the pasta down, toss it with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

By following these tips, you'll be able to cook pasta that is perfectly al dente and ready to be enjoyed with your favorite sauce.

Adapting the Recipe

This Chicken Spaghetti with Red Sauce recipe is highly adaptable to suit your preferences. Instead of using raw chicken breast, you can use shredded cooked chicken or grilled chicken for a quicker cooking time. For added richness, top the pasta with Italian or melting cheeses like parmesan, ricotta, mozzarella, Fontina, or cheddar. If you don't have fresh tomatoes on hand, you can use canned tomatoes instead. Use diced or whole canned tomatoes for more texture, or tomato sauce or passata for a smoother sauce. For added freshness, you can experiment with different fresh herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, marjoram, or rosemary. Add softer herbs towards the end of cooking to preserve their freshness and hardier herbs earlier to soften them and release their flavors.

Cheese Options

Fresh Herb Options

Serving Suggestions

Chicken Spaghetti with Red Sauce is a versatile and delicious dish that can be paired with various sides and accompaniments. Here are some serving suggestions to complement this flavoursome meal:

• Side Salad: Serve the chicken spaghetti with a refreshing side salad, consisting of crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cucumber, and your choice of dressing. The fresh greens provide a light and healthy balance to the richness of the pasta dish.
• Grilled Veggies: Enhance the meal with a side of grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and mushrooms. Seasoned with herbs and olive oil, the smoky and charred flavors of the veggies perfectly complement the savory chicken spaghetti.
• Cheese Toast: For extra comfort, serve the chicken spaghetti with warm and cheesy toast. Spread your favorite cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella, on slices of crusty bread and broil until the cheese is melty and golden. The combination of crispy bread and gooey cheese adds a delightful texture to the meal.
• Corn Soup: Another comforting option is to serve the chicken spaghetti with a bowl of creamy corn soup. Made with fresh or canned corn, onions, garlic, and a touch of cream, the soup brings a hint of sweetness and a velvety texture to the dish.

Feel free to mix and match these suggestions or create your own additions based on your personal preferences. The flexibility of Chicken Spaghetti with Red Sauce makes it suitable for various occasions and dietary requirements. Enjoy this satisfying and flavorful meal!