Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta (Print Format)
Chicken and sun-dried tomatoes meet creamy mozzarella sauce in this easy pasta dish bursting with flavor.
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
3 garlic cloves, minced
02 -
4 oz sun-dried tomatoes
03 -
2 tablespoons olive oil (use oil reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes)
04 -
1 lb chicken breast tenderloins, thinly sliced
05 -
¼ teaspoon salt
06 -
¼ teaspoon paprika
07 -
1 cup half-and-half (or substitute with ½ cup heavy cream and ½ cup milk)
08 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (pre-shredded preferred)
09 -
8 oz penne pasta (or gluten-free alternative)
10 -
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
11 -
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus extra for garnish
12 -
½ cup reserved pasta water (adjust as needed)
13 -
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
# Steps:
01 -
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes (drained from their oil) and sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant.
02 -
Remove sun-dried tomatoes from the skillet. Add chicken slices seasoned with salt and paprika to the same skillet. Cook on high heat for 1 minute per side, then remove from heat.
03 -
Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
04 -
Cut the sun-dried tomatoes into smaller pieces and return them to the skillet along with the cooked chicken.
05 -
Add half-and-half and shredded mozzarella cheese to the skillet. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Stir continuously until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
06 -
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, ensuring it is well-coated with the sauce.
07 -
Stir in chopped basil and red pepper flakes. Adjust sauce thickness with reserved pasta water as needed. Season with additional salt and red pepper flakes to taste.
08 -
Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil or red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy!
# Tips:
01 -
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or additional sauce to maintain creaminess.