Try our copycat recipe if you enjoy the spicy chicken chipotle pasta from The Cheesecake Factory. This homemade pasta dish is loaded with vegetables and coated in a sweet, creamy chipotle sauce. It's sure to become a new family favorite.
The post for chipotle chicken pasta was first published in April 2012. The photos were updated in August 2019 and were republished in March 2025.
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Chipotle Pasta
The Cheesecake Factory has always been our go-to for date nights, and we used to order the same dish every time. One day, my husband and I decided to try something new. After scanning their massive menu, I ordered the spicy chicken chipotle pasta, and it was love at first bite!
This dish has tender chicken covered in a creamy, smoky chipotle sauce, along with some asparagus and peas. The ingredients are mixed with pasta and then topped with crispy tortilla strips. It is creamy, spicy, and downright delicious!
Since I can’t always eat out (as much as I’d love to), I decided to recreate this restaurant favorite at home. And let me tell you—it’s just as good, if not better!
Why I Love This Copycat Recipe
This chipotle chicken pasta has a variety of flavors and textures. The crunchy veggies, soft pasta, and creamy sauce will have you filling your plate with more.
- The Perfect Dish – It’s rich and creamy with just the right amount of sweet and spicy flavor.
- No Reservations Needed – Skip the long wait times and enjoy this Cheesecake Factory favorite anytime.
- Saves Money – Eating out adds up fast, but you can make a big batch of this for way less!
- Easy to Customize – Add more veggies, adjust the heat, or use shrimp instead of chicken!
Main Ingredients
Our spicy chicken chipotle pasta recipe combines simple ingredients with honey-glazed chicken. You won't want to miss this tasty and filling meal!
- Pasta: I like penne pasta, which is what Cheesecake Factory uses. You can use any short noodle, like rigatoni, ziti, or farfalle.
- Veggies: A mixture of red bell pepper, yellow onion, fresh asparagus, and frozen peas add flavor and color.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: Cut each piece into small bite-size pieces so it cooks evenly. Chicken thighs can also be used.
- Honey: Adds a sweet touch to the spicy pasta dish.
- Evaporated Milk: You will need one can to create a creamy, thick sauce to cover the pasta noodles.
- Parmesan Cheese thickens the sauce and gives it a delicious nutty flavor. If possible, use freshly grated cheese.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Mince the peppers and sauce, then measure ¼ cup. You can also process it in a small food processor to blend it well.
BruCrew Tip: Make sweet and spicy Dr. Pepper chili with the leftover chipotle sauce.
How To Make Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
This spicy chipotle pasta can be on your dinner table in 30 minutes. Follow the simple steps in the recipe card below.
Boil the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. After draining the noodles, drizzle them with olive oil to prevent them from sticking.
Sauté the veggies. Add oil, onions, and peppers to a large skillet. Sauté two minutes, then stir in asparagus and cook for a few more minutes before adding peas. Spoon into a separate bowl.
Cook the chicken. Melt butter and oil in the skillet and brown the chicken chunks. Once slightly cooked, add the honey and continue cooking until done.
Make the creamy cheese sauce. Add the canned milk, peppers, and shredded cheese to the cooked chicken in the pan. Stir until melted and creamy, then simmer a few minutes to thicken. Add the cooked veggies and pasta to the parmesan cream sauce.
BruCrew Tip: To serve it just like the Cheesecake Factory, garnish each serving with crunchy tortilla strips and chopped cilantro.
Storage Recommendations
In the Refrigerator - Keep the creamy pasta leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
To Reheat - Heat single servings on a glass plate in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. You can also place the entire pan on the stovetop and set the heat to low. Stir in a splash of milk or chicken broth to help loosen the pasta as it reheats.
Tips and Tricks
- Save some pasta water. If the sauce feels too thick, a splash of reserved pasta water can help thin it out while keeping it creamy.
- Change up the veggies. Broccoli, zucchini, or mushrooms are also good in this recipe.
- Adjust the spicy heat. Use fewer peppers and sauce to tone down the heat in the creamy sauce.
- Freeze leftover chipotle peppers. Spoon them into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Place them in a ziplock bag, and use them anytime you want to add a spicy flair to future dishes.
- Try another type of cheese. We love parmesan because it's like Cheesecake Factory. However, you can honestly use any shredded cheese you like.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
- 3 Cheese Macaroni
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
- Bacon Cheeseburger Tortellini
- Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta
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Recipe
Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
Try our copycat recipe if you enjoy the spicy chicken chipotle pasta from The Cheesecake Factory. This homemade pasta dish is loaded with vegetables and coated in a sweet, creamy chipotle sauce. It's sure to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients
- 8 ounce penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons oil, divided
- 4 tablespoons honey, divided
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 1 cup red pepper, diced
- 2 cups asparagus chunks
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in chunks
- 1 - 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced finely
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Boil the water for the pasta in a large sauce pan. Cook the pasta according to the box instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and red peppers and saute for 2 minutes. Then add the asparagus and saute for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and frozen peas. Remove the veggies from the pan.
- Add one tablespoon oil and butter plus two tablespoons honey to the skillet. Add chicken chunks and saute until golden brown on all sides. Add the rest of the honey and stir to coat, then cook until thoroughly cooked.
- Stir the milk, parmesan cheese, and chipotle peppers into the skillet. Stir until melted and smooth. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta, veggies, and frozen peas and stir until heated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with crunchy tortilla strips on top.
Notes
- Save some pasta water. If the sauce feels too thick, a splash of reserved pasta water can help thin it out while keeping it creamy.
- Change up the veggies. Broccoli, zucchini, or mushrooms are also good in this recipe.
- Adjust the spicy heat. Use fewer peppers and sauce to tone down the heat in the creamy sauce.
- Freeze leftover chipotle peppers. Spoon them into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Place them in a ziplock bag, and use them anytime you want to add a spicy flair to future dishes.
- Try another type of cheese. We love parmesan because it's like Cheesecake Factory. However, you can honestly use any shredded cheese you like.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 440Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 694mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 4gSugar: 22gProtein: 27g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Joann
Hi Jocelyn, this looks delicious, and I can't wait to try it for my family. I do have a question; What can be substituted for the Asparagus? Thanks for any help you can give me. Have a wonderful and blessed day.
Jocelyn
You could use fresh or frozen broccoli in place of the asparagus. Just cook it separate like the asparagus was and then add it at the end. You could also leave it out and double the red pepper and peas. I hope your family enjoys it.
Emily Del Angel
Omggg, thank you Soo much for this recipe,.. I used to live in NY and CF was one of my favs, without mentioning Chipotle chicken pasta was my favorite. I move to Arkansas 4 years ago and always telling my bf about this pasta in particular, he's done everything to find something similar but nothing, not even good Italian restaurants has something like this...
cloey
Wonder if i can only put 2 chipotle pepper so my kids can eat too 🙂 is it gonna make a big difference?? if not, i will just add all or maybe just starting with 1 pepper 🙂 thanks!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You can slowly add it and taste the sauce. I didn't think it was too spicy, and all three of our kids ate it too. But we eat a lot of spicy food so we are used to it too!
Andrea D.
I love your recipes. If you decide to share dinner or other savory dishes, I would love that too.
Jenny @ The NY Melrose Family
It looks great! I love how the burp brought you back to reality. Too funny. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays.
Abbie
Just pinned this! It looks ah-mazing!
The Miller Five
This sounds and LOOKS delicious! Another recipe going in my saved list. 🙂
Lauren
Stopping by from Newlyweds... never would have thought that honey would have been in there! We love chipotle peppers in this house. They're good in pretty much everything! My favorite is to blend them up with some sour cream as a topping for tortilla soup.
Michelles Tasty Creations
Jocelyn,
This looks so delicious! I can't wait to try it out. I had to laugh when you were saying what you usually eat (the sandwich with the yummy fry bread) because I've been hooked on that one for awhile now too and I think it's time to switch it up 🙂
Thanks for sharing,
Michelle
Stephanie Doyle
I switched things up and ordered that pasta there last time I went. It was ah-mazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe. 🙂
Audra @ Once a Mom Always a Cook
This looks amazing! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I love dinner ideas. This pasta looks delicious! I wish I could post savory things...but they don't inspire me. My post would be all boring and flat. 🙂
Mandy
I've never been to the Cheesecake Factory, but this looks great! I think you should have more meal recipes on here, for sure! Have a happy day 🙂
Michelle
Can you believe I've NEVER been to Cheesecake Factory?! I love cheesecake! There is one about 1/2 hour away from us but we have just never gotten there. This might just light the fire.....
Aimee
I love it! I also love more dinner ideas, I'm assuming you won't be sharing any fish. Hehe! Bring on the chicken Jocelyn!
Pasta looks amazing. I didn't know cheesecake factory served food, I usually skip through the menu and order cheesecake 😉
Hayley
Holy YUM! This looks so creamy and spicy and perfect. I have been to CF many times but have never ordered this--but now I don't need to, since you're a genius and made it at home 🙂 I can't wait to make this next week for my family.
Jenni
Oh, this looks amazing! I can't wait to try this recipe! {Will be putting these ingredients on this week's grocery list!} Thank you for sharing your recipe. 🙂
I hope you have a good night!
Blessings,
Jenni
amy (fearless homemaker)
it looks fantastic! i'm definitely going to try this next time i'm at the cheesecake factory, or maybe i'll just make it at home soon instead. =)
Holly
I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some Cheesecake Factory! It is my hubby and my favorite! The closest one to us is in Las Vegas, which is an hour and a half away 🙁 If I can make their recipes at home, than I am a happy girl! This pasta looks DELISH! I am SO going to make this asap 🙂
P.S. I would be thrilled if you started sharing more dinner ideas!
marcaritaville
Yummy! Thank you for posting! I will be featuring this on my meal plan for next week.
... Marcy