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Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

A close-up view of a white bowl filled with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken, garnished with parsley.
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A straightforward recipe for rich, creamy pasta featuring tender chicken and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup reserved sun-dried tomato oil (from the jar)
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Add the butter to the same skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Pour in the reserved sun-dried tomato oil and let it warm for 30 seconds.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  7. Stir in the cream cheese until it melts completely into the sauce, creating a smooth texture.
  8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly.
  9. If using spinach, add it now and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
  10. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
  11. While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  12. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  13. Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, use mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese for a richer sauce base.
  • If you do not have sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, soak 1/2 cup of dry sun-dried tomatoes in hot water for 15 minutes, drain, and then use 1 tablespoon of olive oil in step 4 instead of the reserved oil.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker meat.
  • Add sautéed mushrooms along with the garlic for an earthy flavor addition.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/creamy-sun-dried-tomato-pasta-with-chicken/