Spicy Tunisian Chicken and Potato Pasta

Thermomix recipe: Spicy Tunisian Chicken and Potato Pasta. Ready in 60 minutes. Serves 4. Step-by-step Thermomix instructions on Chef Amai.

Ingredients

• 40 g olive oil
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1-2 fresh red chilies (or 1 tsp chili flakes), deseeded if less heat desired
• 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-3 cm pieces
• 70 g tomato paste
• 1-2 tbsp harissa paste (adjust to desired spice level)
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground caraway
• 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
• 700 g hot water or chicken stock
• 300 g potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 cm cubes
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
• 250 g small pasta shapes (e.g., macaroni, ditalini, or broken spaghetti)
• Fresh coriander or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Add olive oil, onion, garlic, and fresh chilies to the Thermomix bowl. Chop 5 sec / Speed 5. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
2. Sauté 5 min / 120°C / Speed 1. Place simmering basket on lid instead of measuring cup to allow some evaporation.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl. Sauté 5 min / 120°C / Speed 1 Reverse. Place simmering basket on lid.
4. Add tomato paste, harissa paste, ground coriander, ground caraway, and sweet paprika. Sauté 3 min / 120°C / Speed 1 Reverse. Place simmering basket on lid.
5. Add hot water or chicken stock, diced potatoes, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Cook 15 min / 98°C / Speed 2 Reverse. Place simmering basket on lid to prevent splatter and allow gentle evaporation.
6. Pause, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with the spatula. Check the consistency and add a little more water (50-100g) if the sauce appears too thick. The mixture should be simmering steadily.
7. Add the pasta to the bowl. Cook for the time indicated on the pasta package directions minus 2-3 minutes (e.g., if package says 10 min, cook for 7-8 min) / 98°C / Speed 2 Reverse. Place simmering basket on lid.
8. After 4 minutes of pasta cooking, pause and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Gently stir with the spatula to ensure pasta is not sticking and is evenly distributed. Continue cooking.
9. Once the cooking time is complete, perform a final stir 1 min / 90°C / Speed 1 Reverse to ensure even distribution and prevent sticking.
10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped coriander or parsley.

View this recipe on Chef Amai — convert any recipe to Thermomix format at chefamai.com.