Piri Piri Chicken Pasta

This creamy piri piri chicken pasta is super delicious and ready in 20 minutes. It’s a flavor packed, easy weeknight dinner that has just the right amount of spicy kick. Comfort food with a fiery twist!

If you love spicy pasta dishes, try my Broccoli bacon orecchiette or Pasta alla vodka with Nduja.

Why you’ll love this easy chicken pasta

There’s just something about the combo of spice and cream, it hits every time. Add juicy chicken thighs and a bowl of pasta? Next-level! This is the kind of dinner you’ll crave on repeat.

To create the sauce, we’re using mascarpone and a ready-made piri piri seasoning for ease. It brings all that smoky, rich and earthy flavor with zero fuss. The sauce becomes creamy, spicy and completely addictive.

This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and made from simple, budget-friendly ingredients. Chicken and pasta? Win win.

If you’re into this combo, be sure to check out my chicken in creamy piri piri sauce next!

How super easy it is to make this pasta

Let me guide you through the recipe with my easy-to-follow step-by-step cooking video, or follow along on YouTube.

Step 1
First, we get the pasta going, boil it in salted water until al dente.

Step 2
While that’s happening, we sear and season the chicken thighs with piri piri. Since the seasoning is already loaded with flavor, all you need is a pinch of salt.

Step 3
Next, we sauté garlic and onion until fragrant, then stir in tomato paste for a rich boost of flavor and that deep red color. After that, mascarpone goes in to make the sauce extra smooth and creamy.

Step 4
Almost there! Once the pasta is done, stir it into the sauce with a generous splash of that starchy cooking water to bring it all together. That’s it, dinner is ready.

Ingredients

• Pasta
• Chicken thighs – For tender and juicy pieces, but you can also use chicken fillets
• Piri piri seasoning
• Onion
• Garlic
• Tomato paste
• Mascarpone
• Parsley
• Salt

FAQ

What pasta can I use for peri peri chicken?

Any variety you’ve got on hand will work! I like using short-cut pasta for this one, this time I went with shells, but penne, orecchiette or fusilli are great options too.

What is piri piri?

Also known as peri peri, this spicy seasoning blend has roots in both Portugal and South Africa. It’s made with herbs, spices and African Bird’s Eye Chili. Most supermarkets carry a ready-made version these days, super handy for quick dinners like this.

Can I add vegetables to peri peri pasta?

Absolutely. Toss in zucchini, green peas, bell peppers, corn or cherry tomatoes. It’s a great way to bulk up the dish and sneak in some extra vegetables.

Is this a spicy dish?

It’s got a gentle kick from the piri piri, but it’s not overpowering. If you’re cooking for someone with zero spice tolerance, you might want to go easy. On the other side, if your household loves heat, feel free to bump up the seasoning, this recipe can easily handle up to 2 tablespoons.

Storing suggestions

• Fridge: This pasta is even better the next day, the flavors really come together. It’s worth making extra! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if it feels a little dry.
• Freezer: While this dish isn’t ideal for freezing (the pasta can get a bit mushy), you can freeze leftovers in a pinch. Just portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Tools for this recipe

• A Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot – here’s the one I love to use.
• A sharp knife – essential for clean, easy slicing.
• Two cutting boards – one bamboo for veggies, and a separate plastic one for raw chicken to keep things safe and hygienic.