Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Amatriciana is a traditional Italian pasta dish that’s both simple and delicious, showcasing the perfect blend of savory flavors and a touch of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. The richness of the chicken combined with the freshness of basil (or parsley) makes this dish a comforting yet vibrant meal. The hearty sauce pairs beautifully with linguine, offering a quick and satisfying dinner option that’s ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 4 slices of chicken breast or thigh, diced
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1 pound linguine pasta, uncooked
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or flat-leaf parsley)
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook the diced chicken in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until fully cooked and slightly crispy, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the chopped onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until softened.
3. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the undrained stewed tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon as it cooks.
5. While the sauce is simmering, cook the linguine in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta.
6. Stir the chopped basil (or parsley) into the sauce.
7. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Variations

• Pasta Variations: While linguine is used here, you can substitute with spaghetti, fettuccine, or bucatini for different textures.
• Meatless Version: Omit the chicken and use olive oil to sauté the onions and garlic for a lighter, vegetarian version.
• Extra Spicy: Increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to add more heat to the sauce.
• Additional Veggies: Stir in some fresh spinach or mushrooms for added flavor and nutrition.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover Amatriciana in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: This dish can be frozen, but the texture of the pasta may change slightly after thawing. Freeze the sauce separately for the best results.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it up.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes, but they will need to be peeled and chopped. You may also need to cook them longer to reach the desired consistency.

2. Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the linguine with gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.

3. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh basil?

Yes, you can use dried basil or parsley if fresh herbs are not available. Reduce the amount to about 1 teaspoon.

4. Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from the red pepper flakes. If you prefer less heat, you can reduce or omit the pepper flakes.

5. Can I add cheese to the sauce?

Yes, you can stir in a bit of Pecorino Romano or a small amount of Parmesan into the sauce for extra richness.

6. Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.

7. How do I make this dish vegetarian?

Omit the chicken and use olive oil to sauté the onions and garlic. You can also add extra vegetables to make the dish heartier.

8. Can I use other pasta shapes?

Yes, you can substitute other pasta shapes like spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni if linguine is not available.

9. Can I freeze Amatriciana?

Yes, the sauce can be frozen for up to 2 months. However, freezing the pasta is not recommended as it may lose its texture.

Conclusion

Amatriciana is a timeless Italian dish that’s perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. The rich chicken, bright tomatoes, and fresh herbs create a balanced and delicious sauce, while the linguine provides the perfect base for the rich flavors. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to impress.

Amatriciana

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• Author: Emma
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings

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Description

Amatriciana is a traditional Italian pasta dish featuring a savory blend of chicken, stewed tomatoes, and crushed red pepper flakes. This simple yet flavorful meal is served with linguine pasta and garnished with fresh basil or parsley, offering a comforting dish that’s ready in under 40 minutes.

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Ingredients

4 slices of chicken breast or thigh, diced

½ cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon minced garlic

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, undrained

1 pound linguine pasta, uncooked

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or flat-leaf parsley)

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Cook diced chicken in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until fully cooked and slightly crispy, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
2. Add chopped onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, until softened.
3. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add undrained stewed tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon as they cook.
5. While sauce is simmering, cook linguine in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain pasta.
6. Stir chopped basil (or parsley) into the sauce.
7. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Substitute linguine with spaghetti, fettuccine, or bucatini for a different texture.

For a meatless version, omit the chicken and sauté onions and garlic in olive oil.

Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier sauce.

Add extra veggies like spinach or mushrooms for added flavor and nutrition.

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze the sauce separately for up to 2 months for best results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 65mg