Description
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and a velvety cream sauce to coat your favorite pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed dinners. This versatile recipe is customizable with gluten-free options, vegetarian swaps, and herb enhancements, delivering layers of vibrant flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Dairy & Others
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta & Oil
- 8 oz pasta of choice (penne, fettuccine, rigatoni recommended)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the boneless chicken breasts into even strips or bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then sauté in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside, keeping the flavorful brown bits on the pan for the sauce base.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same pan, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook them gently in the olive oil and chicken drippings until the garlic is fragrant and sun-dried tomatoes start to soften, releasing their rich flavors into the pan.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir thoroughly, scraping the browned bits from the pan to deepen the sauce flavor. Reduce the heat to a simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Drain cooked pasta, reserving a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Toss the noodles into the sauce along with cooked chicken pieces. Mix well to coat every strand or piece in the luscious cream sauce, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish with freshly chopped basil leaves, giving the dish a fresh herbal aroma and vibrant color. Serve immediately and enjoy the harmony of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors.
Notes
- Use quality oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the richest flavor and moist texture.
- Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Reserve pasta water to help thicken the sauce and enhance its clinginess to the pasta.
- Grate Parmesan fresh for best melting and flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid cream separation—low and slow is key.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg