Introduction

Bang Bang Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and easy dish that combines tender chicken, spicy-sweet sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a fantastic weeknight meal that brings bold flavors with minimal effort.

A white plate holds a pasta dish with a layer of creamy orange sauce-coated farfalle pasta spread evenly at the bottom. On top, there are several pieces of thick, browned grilled chicken slices arranged in a slight pile, sprinkled with green herbs and red chili flakes. A silver fork rests partially under the pasta on the left side of the plate, which sits on a folded dark grey cloth napkin. In the background, the scene shows a small glass bowl filled with chopped green herbs placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, and minced garlic to make the bang bang sauce.
Step 4: Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Pour the bang bang sauce over and toss everything together until well coated and heated through.
Step 5: Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Substitute penne with fusilli or rotini for extra sauce hold. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the sauce.
Add steamed vegetables like broccoli or snap peas for more color and nutrition.
Adjust sriracha quantity based on your preferred spice level.

Storage

Store leftover Bang Bang Chicken Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if it feels dry.

How to Serve

The image shows a white rectangular dish filled with creamy pasta and grilled chicken. The base layer is bowtie-shaped pasta coated in a light orange cream sauce. On top, there are several pieces of grilled chicken breast with a slightly charred look, covered in the same creamy sauce with visible herbs like parsley and small red chili flakes. The chicken pieces are scattered evenly across the pasta, giving a textured and colorful appearance. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, enhancing the warm tones of the food. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust cooking time until the chicken is fully cooked.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Traditional penne pasta contains gluten, but you can easily swap for gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets.

Bang Bang Chicken Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 116 reviews

A flavorful and creamy Bang Bang Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection, tossed with penne pasta in a spicy, tangy bang bang sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and garlic, garnished with fresh green onions and parsley for a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz (340 g) penne pasta

Chicken

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish

2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Prepare the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
Cook the chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Make the bang bang sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, and minced garlic until smooth and well combined.
Toss pasta and chicken with sauce: Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Pour the prepared bang bang sauce over them, then toss everything together thoroughly until well coated and heated through.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the sliced green onions and chopped fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

You can substitute penne pasta with other short pasta like rigatoni or rotini if preferred.
Adjust the amount of sriracha according to how spicy you want the dish.
For a lighter version, use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of regular mayonnaise.
Chicken thighs can be used in place of chicken breasts for juicier meat.
Keep an eye on the chicken while cooking to avoid overcooking and dryness.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken Pasta, Spicy Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Easy Dinner Recipes, Weeknight Pasta