Description
Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta delivers a Mediterranean melody of flavors that dance across your palate. Rich aromas and silky textures invite hearty comfort with each delectable forkful you savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed, drained)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with water and introduce a pinch of salt. Heat until vigorously bubbling and submerge pasta, cooking until perfectly tender with a slight bite. Extract a portion of starchy liquid before draining and setting pasta aside.
- Liberally coat chicken slices with aromatic seasonings, ensuring each piece is thoroughly seasoned. Warm olive oil in a expansive skillet over robust heat. Expertly sear chicken, developing a rich golden exterior while maintaining succulent interior. Transfer cooked chicken to a waiting plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to melt butter, introducing minced garlic and allowing its fragrance to bloom. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, stirring briefly to release their concentrated flavor. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, capturing every caramelized morsel. Introduce heavy cream, grated Parmesan, herbal seasonings, and a hint of red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer and gracefully thicken.
- Gently fold pasta and fresh spinach into the velvety sauce, watching the greens delicately wilt. Reintroduce the perfectly cooked chicken, ensuring every component is luxuriously coated. Adjust sauce consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water as needed.
- Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh basil and an additional dusting of Parmesan. Present immediately to capture the peak of flavor and texture.
Notes
- Maximize pasta flavor by generously salting the boiling water, creating a more delicious base for your dish.
- Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for an intensely rich and concentrated tomato taste that elevates the entire recipe.
- Keep chicken tender by avoiding overcrowding the skillet during searing, which prevents steaming and ensures perfect golden-brown edges.
- Transform this recipe into a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half, reducing overall calorie content without sacrificing creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg