Pollo all'Arrabbiata con Penne (Spicy Chicken Arrabbiata Pasta)
Penne and golden chicken in a fiery garlic and chilli tomato sauce, ready in under half an hour.
Made with Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.70 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Cook the penne in well salted boiling water to the packet time. Save a mugful of the pasta water, then drain.
10 min - 2
While it cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Fry the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes until golden.
6 min - 3
Lower the heat and add the remaining oil, garlic and chilli. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
0 min 30 s - 4
Pour in your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) and simmer for 5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through with no pink.
5 min - 5
Toss the pasta through the sauce with a splash of pasta water to loosen it. Add the lemon juice and parsley.
- 6
Taste, adjust the chilli and serve immediately.
Tips
- Arrabbiata means angry, so the chilli should be noticeable. Start with half and add more.
- Gluten free pasta overcooks quickly, so drain it 1 minute early.
- Pasta water helps the sauce cling to the penne.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat once, with a splash of water, until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use ordinary penne?
Yes. Wheat penne works the same way, but then the dish is not gluten free.
How hot is it?
Medium to hot with 1 teaspoon of chilli flakes. Use half for family meals or add fresh red chilli for more heat.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Peppers, spinach or courgette all work. Add them with the garlic and cook until soft.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.