Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender chicken with sun-dried tomatoes tossed in creamy garlic sauce and penne pasta. A quick, elegant Italian-American dish.

# Ingredient list:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz), cut into bite-sized strips
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

→ Sauce

06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, sliced
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/4 cup chicken broth
11 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
15 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# Cooking steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - While the pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
03 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
06 - Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping any browned bits from the pan.
07 - Add Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
08 - Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
09 - Add cooked penne to the skillet and toss everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
10 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The sun-dried tomatoes create these bursts of intense sweetness that cut through the rich cream in the most perfect way
  • It comes together in about 40 minutes but tastes like something you simmered all afternoon
  • The leftovers, if they survive the night, reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Don't rinse your pasta after draining, the starch helps the sauce stick to every piece
  • The sauce will continue to thicken off the heat, so dont reduce it too far in the pan
  • If the garlic browns, start over, burned garlic makes the whole dish taste bitter
03 -
  • Pat your chicken dry before seasoning, excess moisture prevents proper browning
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly than cold cream straight from the fridge
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