IF you are looking for a dish that specifically brings the heat to dinner party and are tired of the same old marinara or Alfredo, it’s time to level up your pasta game with this Creamy Peri Peri Chicken Pasta. This dish is a spectacular fusion of bold African spices and traditional Italian comfort. The heart of the recipe is a vibrant, homemade peri peri spice blend that offers a complex, building heat far superior to store-bought versions.
Imagine tender penne pasta and crisp, colorful vegetables swirled in a velvety, cheese-infused sauce, then topped with crunchy, spicy chicken. It’s a meal designed to wake up the taste buds of your guests while providing the soul-satisfying richness of a classic cream pasta. It’s spicy, tangy, creamy, and surprisingly straightforward to pull together. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create the perfect spice mix and assemble a pasta dish that looks and tastes like it came straight from a high-end fusion bistro.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: African-Italian Fusion
- Course: Main Course
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories per Serving: Approximately 650 kcal
Ingredients
Homemade Peri Peri Spice Mix
- 3 tbsp Red Chili Powder
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Cinnamon Powder
- 1/4 tsp Ginger Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Black Salt
- 1 tsp Powdered Sugar
Pasta & Fresh Stir-Fry
- 1 1/2 cup Penne Pasta (boiled until 80% done)
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Chopped Garlic
- 1/2 cup each: Green Bell Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, Blanched Broccoli, Mushroom Quarters, Sweet Corn
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Oregano
- Salt to taste
The Signature Creamy Sauce
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 1/2 tbsp Peri Peri Spice Mix
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 3 tbsp Ketchup
- 8-10 K&N’s Fiery Fingers (prepared as per instructions)
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Master the Spice Mix: Whisk together all the peri peri spice ingredients until perfectly combined. This blend can be stored in an airtight jar for future use.
- Prepare the Pasta: Boil the penne in salted water with a dash of oil until it reaches an al dente texture (about 80% cooked). Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat oil in a pan and sauté the chopped garlic. Add the bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and corn. Season with black pepper, oregano, and salt, cooking for 2-3 minutes to keep them crisp.
- Create the Roux: In a separate pan, melt the butter and stir in the flour. Cook on a low flame for a few minutes before gradually whisking in the milk to create a smooth, thick base.
- Flavor and Infuse: Add salt, black pepper, and 1.5 tablespoons of your Peri Peri spice mix to the sauce. Stir in the cheddar cheese and ketchup until the sauce is rich and glossy.
- Combine: Fold the boiled pasta and stir-fried vegetables into the sauce. Toss in the prepared Fiery Fingers and serve immediately while hot.
Peri Peri Creamy Pasta with Fiery Fingers
Spicy peri peri cheddar sauce + crisp veggies + penne — topped with Fiery Fingers
- 3 tbsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp black salt
- 1 tsp powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups penne pasta (boiled until ~80% done)
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup each: green bell pepper, red bell pepper, blanched broccoli, mushroom quarters, sweet corn
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt, to taste
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 tbsp peri peri spice mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 8–10 K&N’s Fiery Fingers (prepared as per pack)
Make Peri Peri Mix
Whisk together all spice mix ingredients. Store leftovers in an airtight jar.
Boil Pasta
Cook penne in salted water with a dash of oil until ~80% done (al dente). Drain and set aside.
Sauté Veggies
Heat oil, sauté garlic, then add peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and corn. Season and cook 2–3 minutes to keep crisp.
Make Roux
Melt butter, stir in flour, and cook on low for a couple minutes. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thick.
Flavor the Sauce
Add salt, black pepper, and peri peri mix. Stir in cheddar and ketchup until glossy and creamy.
Combine & Serve
Fold in pasta and veggies. Toss in prepared Fiery Fingers and serve immediately while hot.
Conclusion
Ultimately, this Creamy Peri Peri Chicken Pasta is a show-stopping work of art that works for any event. The dish’s genius is in the way all of the flavors come together in harmony; the spiciness comes from spices inspired by African bird’s eye chili, but it’s subdued by the melted cheddar and heavy cream. The blend of the silky noodles, the crunch of the stir-fried bell peppers, and the gratifying snap of the fried chicken creates a sensory feast.
Also, this recipe is quite adaptable; you can change the amount of heat by modifying the handmade peri peri powder, and you can use whatever veggies are in season to make it your own. The dish’s visual appeal is second only to its deliciousness; the contrast between the golden, cheesy sauce and the vivid greens and reds of the veggies is breathtaking. It has never been easier to bring this kind of gourmet fusion to your home. With any luck, this recipe will serve as a springboard for you to try out some daring flavors and come up with a dish that the whole family will love. Is your kitchen ready to be heated up? This Peri Peri spaghetti is the ideal combination of spicy and comforting flavors; check it out tonight!
Common Questions About Creamy Peri Peri Chicken Pasta
How long should the homemade Peri Peri spice mix be whisked?
You should whisk the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined into a uniform powder.
What is the shelf life of the homemade spice blend?
When stored in an airtight jar, the mix remains fresh for up to two months.
How long do the vegetables need to be stir-fried?
They should be sautéed for approximately 2 to 3 minutes to maintain a crisp texture.
What provides the primary “heat” in the Peri Peri spice mix?
The base of the heat comes from three tablespoons of red chili powder.
What is the purpose of adding black salt to the spice blend?
Black salt provides a deeper, more savory umami flavor compared to regular table salt.
Which aromatic powders are used to add complexity to the spice mix?
Garlic, cinnamon, and ginger powders are used to create a multi-layered flavor.
What type of cheese is used to thicken the sauce?
The recipe calls for one cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
