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Weeknight • Chicken

Creamy Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

A decadent and easy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich cream sauce.

Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Creamy Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Indulge in a restaurant-worthy pasta dish from the comfort of your own kitchen! This creamy chicken and sun-dried tomato pasta is bursting with rich, savory flavors and comes together with surprising ease. Tender chicken, plump sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce create a meal that's both elegant and incredibly comforting.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 12 oz short pasta (like penne or rotini)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.

  2. Step 2

    While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

  3. Step 3

    Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  4. Step 4

    Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the heavy cream and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken.

  5. Step 5

    Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

  6. Step 6

    Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until your desired consistency is reached.

  7. Step 7

    Stir in the fresh basil just before serving. Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil, if desired.

Tips

  • Using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil adds extra flavor. You can even use a tablespoon of that oil in place of regular olive oil for cooking the chicken.
  • Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for even more tender, flavorful chicken.
  • For a touch of freshness, stir in some fresh spinach or arugula at the very end.

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