Maple Curry Chicken Pasta: Easy, Creamy, and Delicious
This Maple Curry Chicken Pasta is pure comfort food. It’s a chicken penne pasta dish you’ll see across Atlantic Canada, celebrated for its sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors. I can’t say for sure that this creamy chicken pasta dish comes from the East Coast, but it feels like a true regional classic. Naturally, I had to share my spin on it with all of you!
A Perfect Fusion of Flavors
This dish is the ultimate fusion of international cuisine and homegrown Canadian flair. You have the mild spice of yellow curry paste. There are warm notes from curry powder and turmeric. The sweet rich notes come from the maple syrup. These ingredients mix to create a creamy, rich sauce.
This recipe is great for a weeknight dinner. It’s tasty enough to impress your guests, yet simple to make on a busy night.
Whether you’re a fan of creamy chicken pasta, spicy dishes, or hearty one-pot meals, this maple curry chicken pasta is a must-try.
Tips for the Perfect Pasta Sauce
Making a pasta sauce that clings beautifully to your noodles is an art—and here’s the secret: pasta water. When cooking your penne, don’t drain all the water away.
Save a ladle or two of that salty, starchy liquid gold and stir it into your sauce. It helps thicken the sauce and binds it to the noodles. This creates the silky texture we all love in a good chicken penne pasta. Trust me, this is a game changer!
Maple Curry Chicken Pasta: Simple Ingredients
This chicken penne pasta recipe combines the essence of curry with the comfort of pasta. Here’s what you’ll need:
Spinach: A couple of handfuls of spinach not only add nutrients but also brighten the dish with vibrant color.
Penne pasta: I prefer whole wheat penne for added fiber, but regular penne works just as well. Cook it until al dente and remember to save some pasta water!
Chicken breast: I love using lean seasoned chicken for this recipe. Mix curry powder and turmeric together. Toss the chicken in this mix before cooking to enhance the flavor and give the chicken a lovely golden color.
Yellow curry paste and red curry paste work well together. The yellow curry paste gives a mild warmth. The red curry paste adds depth to the dish.
Curry powder and turmeric: These two spices bring richness and warmth to the sauce while enhancing the golden color.
Coconut cream: Instead of heavy cream, I use coconut cream for a dairy-free option that’s just as luscious.
Maple syrup: A touch of maple syrup lends that mellow, signature sweetness that makes this dish uniquely Canadian.
Garlic and onion: No great curry starts without these aromatic staples. They’re the base that make the sauce sing.
Why This Dish Will Be Your New Go-To
This creamy chicken pasta recipe is more than just comfort food—it’s an experience. It combines the bold flavors of curry with the sweet taste of maple syrup. This creates a pasta dish that is both unique and familiar. The addition of pasta water ensures the sauce is silky and clings perfectly to every morsel.
This maple curry chicken pasta will be a favorite. It combines strong flavors with easy-to-find ingredients.
The creamy coconut cream mixes well with the rich curry powder and turmeric. This combination gives the sauce great depth. The sweetness of the maple syrup adds a nice contrast. It’s a dish that feels indulgent without being overly heavy.
Another reason to love this recipe is its simplicity. With just one pan for the sauce and a pot for the pasta, cleanup is a breeze, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser—adults will love the complex flavors, and kids will enjoy the creamy texture and mild sweetness. It’s versatile, delicious, and most importantly, easy to customize, making it the kind of recipe you’ll turn to time and time again.
Maple Curry Chicken Pasta: Versatile and Delicious
While I recommend penne, you can substitute with rigatoni, fusilli, or even spaghetti. Just make sure to save that pasta water! The dish has a gentle warmth, thanks to the yellow and red curry paste, but it’s not overly spicy. You can adjust the heat level to suit your preference.
And feel free to add more vegetables– bell peppers, peas, or zucchini would be great additions. This creamy chicken pasta dish is super versatile and super delicious.
Looking for a vegetarian version? Swap out the seasoned chicken for chickpeas or tofu, which absorb the creamy sauce beautifully.
Want to make it gluten-free? Use your favorite gluten-free pasta, like brown rice or quinoa-based penne. For an extra protein boost, toss in some cooked shrimp or add a handful of toasted cashews for a delightful crunch.
The curry-infused sauce is the perfect base for experimenting with flavors and textures. Whether you stick to the original recipe or customize it, this chicken penne dish will definitely shine!
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Ingredients:
- 1 box Penne Pasta 375 gram box
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tbs curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup yellow curry paste Red curry paste works too!
- 1 can coconut cream
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
Instructions:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta as per package instructions. Once pasta is soft, reserve about 3/4 of a cup of the pasta water and drain out the rest. Set pasta to the side.
- While pasta is cooking, placed sliced chicken in a bowl and season with curry powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- Place a large pan over medium heat. Once temperature has been reached pour in olive oil, then garlic and onions. Saute for for about 2 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Now drop in the seasoned chicken and brown on all sides. About 4 minutes.
- Now add in the curry paste and mix everything together. This is waking up the curry flavours so don't skip this part. Now pour in coconut cream and mix until smooth. You may need to use your spoon here to smush the curry paste and allow it to combine with the coconut cream. Add in maple syrup and stir.
- Next up, add the cooked pasta and mix. Add the pasta water in, mix and allow the sauce to coat the noodles. Drop in the spinach and mix. The spinach will wilt into the sauce.
- Lastly, season the pasta to taste using chilli flakes, salt, and pepper. Serve hot with chopped cilantro.
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Best……just THE BEST! I have made this several times and followed the recipe but added some roasted veggies to stretch it out a bit and it turns out every….single….time. It’s become a favourite in our house. I love how balanced and silky the sauce turns out. And, it re-heats perfectly! Thanks for this dandy recipe! 🙂
This made my day, Beverly—thank you! I’m so happy it’s become a favorite in your house. Love the idea of adding roasted veggies to stretch it (and boost the flavor!). Appreciate you sharing your version!
I have made this twice and it’s so good. Thank you for the recipe.
So glad you’re enjoying it, Marilyn—thank you for making it (twice already!) and for the kind words. Love hearing it’s a keeper!
Another fantastic recipe! Simple and yummy. Andy’s recipes are making me a next-level cook!
Love to hear it! So glad the recipes are helping you level up—thanks for the kind words and for cooking along, Heather!
Made this tonight. Family enjoyed it. My daughter said it tasted like a restaurant meal, sweet & savoury. Served with your homemade crusty no knead bread, also a 5* recipe. Both delicious. Andy, Thank you for your excellent, easy, great tasting recipes.
he ultimate compliment, Kathy! Glad the whole fam enjoyed it, and thanks for sharing!
This is the absolute best restaurant worthy recipe I have ever made. It is absolutely delicious.