Name: Jamaican Rasta Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces penne pasta; 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 red bell pepper (sliced or chopped); 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced or chopped); 1 green bell pepper (sliced or chopped); ½ cup green onion (chopped); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoons garlic paste (or 2 cloves minced); 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning; 1 cup chicken broth; 14 ounces full-fat coconut milk; 2 cups Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, divided - 1 ½ cup in the recipe, ½ cup for garnish); green onions sliced thin and/or parsley (optional garnish)

Dive into this vibrant, Caribbean-inspired Rasta Pasta recipe that’s ready in just 30 minutes! Tender chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and bold jerk seasoning combine in a creamy pasta dish that’s bursting with flavor. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that doesn’t compromise on taste.

Everyone could use a few 30 minute meal recipes in their back pocket for those busy weeknights! Try my delicious Easy Baked Ziti or perfectly cheesy One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese the next time you need dinner to hit the table quickly!

Close up photo of a bowl of Rasta Pasta on a colorful linen napkin.

Rasta Pasta Is So Fast And Flavorful!

Inspired by the vibrant Rastafari culture of Jamaica, this comforting pasta packs a punch with its bold, spicy kick. It’s the kind of dish that instantly lifts your spirits—thanks to the rich creaminess, the melt-in-your-mouth cheese, and those perfectly cooked bell peppers (which you can sauté or roast for extra flavor). Everything comes together with grilled or pan-seared chicken for a hearty, satisfying dinner that’s as easy to make as it is to devour.

Whether you’re craving something cozy for a weeknight or want a meal that will wow your taste buds, this pasta is sure to become a repeat favorite in your kitchen.

It’s a toss-up on why I keep turning back to this spicy Rasta Pasta chicken recipe over and over again! Is it the overall mouthwatering flavor, that it’s a one-pot meal, or the fact that I can have this on the table in 30 minutes for a meal my family will actually sit down and eat on hectic weeknights?

Probably all of the above. No, Definitely all of the above! You can even easily mix this dish up by serving it with sautéed shrimp instead of chicken for a fresh new variation on the recipe!

Pin This Recipe For Later

Overhead photo of a bowl of rasta pasta on a wooden table surrounded by ingredients.

Rasta Pasta Recipe Ingredients

This Rasta Pasta recipe starts by cooking the penne pasta in water while slicing skinless chicken breasts. Then, you’ll toss the sliced chicken in jerk seasoning before cooking it in olive oil.

To finish off this dish, cook up red, green, and yellow bell peppers with green onion and garlic. Then add in chicken broth, full-fat coconut milk, and parmesan cheese.

If you aren’t a fan of jerk seasoning since it’s traditionally spicy, you can easily make your own instead of getting a store-bought envelope! Just mix together salt, pepper, thyme, allspice, brown sugar, garlic powder, and cinnamon.

Feel free to serve this dish over your favorite kind of pasta! Rigatoni, bucatini, rotini, or even fettuccine noodles would all work well in this recipe.

Overhead photo of ingredients prepped to make rasta pasta.

How To Make Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Boil the pasta until it is al dente or to your desired tenderness. For best results, follow the package instructions and ensure that you drain the pasta just before it’s fully cooked, as it will continue to cook in the sauce later. Set aside.
Slice the raw chicken breasts and then toss it in spicy jerk seasoning.
Fry the chicken in oil in a dutch oven over medium heat until there’s no pink left. Remove and set it aside.
Cook the bell peppers in the same dutch oven with oil. Add garlic and remaining jerk seasoning then cook for another minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Then add in coconut milk and simmer until the mixture thickens.
Add in the chicken and parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and stir.
Stir in the penne. As the pasta cools slightly, the sauce will begin to thicken and adhere to the pasta. Continue to gently mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Step by step photo collage showing how to make Rasta pasta.

Rebecca’s Tips

Want those bell peppers to stay perfectly crisp? Once everything comes together, simply cover the pot and let the dish steam for a couple of minutes right at the end. The gentle heat takes the raw edge off the peppers, but they’ll still have that wonderful crunch and vibrant color. This quick trick also helps the parmesan melt into the sauce, giving you creamy, cheesy pasta with just the right bite.
For an extra creamy finish, try reserving ½ cup of the pasta water before draining and stir it in along with an additional ¼ cup of cream. Let the mixture simmer together for just a minute—this helps the sauce cling perfectly to the noodles. For best results, cook the pasta just shy of al dente and toss everything together right before serving.
You can use approximately 2 cups of chopped or shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken). Instead of frying it in olive oil, simply mix it well with the jerk seasoning.
You could use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
You can use heavy cream, coconut cream, or half-and-half as a substitute for coconut milk.

Want To Make Vegetarian Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta?

Simply leave out the chicken. The peppers, creamy coconut milk sauce, and jerk seasoning shine all on their own, making for a flavorful and satisfying meatless meal.

How To Serve Caribbean Rasta Pasta

You can serve this dish with your favorite kind of pasta! It’s best enjoyed warm!

You can even easily mix this dish up by serving it with sautéed shrimp instead of chicken for a fresh new variation on the recipe!

How To Add Shrimp To Rasta Pasta Without Overcooking It

Want to swap in shrimp for a tasty twist? You totally can! Sauté the shrimp quickly in a bit of oil before cooking the chicken—shrimp only need a couple of minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque. Set the shrimp aside while you make the rest of the recipe. Once the pasta, cream, parmesan, and peppers are ready, add the cooked shrimp back in right at the end. This way, your shrimp will stay juicy and never turn rubbery or overcooked.

More Delicious Pasta Dishes

This Rasta Pasta is one of my go-to meals when I’m looking for dinner to hit the table in no time on a weeknight! Here are more 30-minute meals loaded with pasta to tuck away that your family will love!

American Chop Suey – Pure comfort food made of ground beef, tomato, onion, green pepper, macaroni, and spices for a delicious meal the whole family will love!
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta – Loaded with tomato sauce, cheese, and chicken for a quick weeknight dinner option!
Cajun Chicken Pasta – Spicy cajun-rubbed chicken sits on a bed of pasta that’s been tossed with a creamy sauce that has a kick!
Best Ever Creamy Mac and Cheese – Stovetop mac and cheese made with sharp cheddar, parmesan cheese, heavy cream, whole milk, butter, and mustard powder!
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo – A thick, creamy, cheesy dish served with tender pieces of sauteed chicken!

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let leave a review in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos, or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there.

This recipe was originally published in May 2021 and was updated in November 2025.