Description
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta is a rich and flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces sautéed and simmered in a creamy sun dried tomato sauce with Italian herbs, garlic, and parmesan cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. This 30-minute meal is perfect for quick dinners, potlucks, or al fresco dining, delivering a comforting, indulgent pasta experience that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta (cooked and drained according to package instructions)
Chicken & Seasoning
- 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian blend seasoning (or Herbs de Provence)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 ounces sun dried tomatoes packed in oil (drained and patted dry with a paper towel)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream or half and half
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian blend seasoning to infuse flavor.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
- Add Sun Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the drained sun dried tomatoes, allowing them to warm and release their flavor for about 2 minutes.
- Simmer with Broth and Cream: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream (or half and half), stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate Cheese and Chicken: Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce. Let it simmer together for 3-5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta into the skillet, tossing everything to ensure the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sun dried tomato sauce.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately for best creaminess and flavor.
Notes
- Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish perfect for dinners al fresco and potlucks.
- It’s a quick, 30-minute, one-pot wonder ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Using half and half instead of heavy cream can reduce richness slightly without sacrificing creaminess.
- Sun dried tomatoes packed in oil add deep flavor; be sure to drain and pat dry to avoid excess oil in the sauce.
- Freshly grated parmesan provides a better melt and flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 428 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 529 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 54 mg
