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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring tender chicken and penne pasta in a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Perfect for weeknight meals that are both comforting and flavorful.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g), thinly sliced or cubed
  • 8 oz (225g) penne pasta or your favorite pasta shape
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, finely diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz (225g) penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, season the sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1-2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add shallots and garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, stirring regularly to avoid burning.
  4. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and dried Italian herbs. Let them warm up for a minute to release their flavors.
  5. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If sauce looks too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken with the creamy sauce. Heat through for 2 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
  7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; it will finish cooking when mixed with the sauce. If sauce separates or looks greasy, add a splash of reserved pasta water to bring it back together. For best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. To avoid steaming chicken, cook in batches if needed. Substitute pasta with gluten-free or low-carb options as desired. Heavy cream can be replaced with half-and-half or coconut milk for lighter or dairy-free versions.

Nutrition

Keywords: sun-dried tomato chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, chicken pasta, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce

Find it online: https://forkmila.com/creamy-sun-dried-tomato-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-30-minute-dinner/