Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce Recipe

Relive Sunday dinners with Papa's beloved chicken pasta sauce! This light and flavorful recipe skips the traditional beef or pork, offering a unique twist on classic spaghetti. Tender, juicy chicken and sweet peppers simmer in a rich tomato sauce, creating a dish that's both comforting and exciting. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe combines the best of two worlds: succulent chicken and delicious pasta in one unforgettable meal! Say goodbye to spaghetti and meatballs and hello to shells and chicken!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 105 mins
Calories 225.5 kcal
Protein 32g
Rating Be the first
Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce 36

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • Tomato Puree
  • Canola Oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1/2 can (about 4 ounces) of water

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How to Make Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce

  1. Wash and cut 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
  3. Season chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Set seasoned chicken aside.
  5. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Sauté 1 medium onion, chopped, and 2 cloves garlic, minced, until softened (about 5 minutes).
  6. Add chicken pieces skin-side down (if using bone-in chicken) and brown lightly on all sides.
  7. Add 2 bell peppers (any color), chopped, 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes, 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste), and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  8. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low-medium. Cover and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
  9. If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, add 1/2 can (about 4 ounces) of water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve over your favorite pasta.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

19 g

Sugar

25g

Fat

17g

Carbs

4g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Weeknight Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion Sauces Main Dish Condiments Etc Poultry European Italian Chicken Dietary One Dish Meal Low Calorie Comfort Food Low Carb Low In Something Meat Taste Mood 4 Hours Or Less

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce?

Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce takes about 125 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 105 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce?

Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce has approximately 225.5 calories per serving, with about 32 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates and 20 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce?

The key ingredients for Papa's Favorite Pasta Sauce are Frying Chickens, Sweet Red Peppers, Onions, Tomato Puree, Canola Oil, Dried Basil. See the full list with measurements above.

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