Irresistible Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe

Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta brings together a symphony of vibrant flavors that dance across your palate.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients weave magic into this comforting dish, crafting ordinary weeknight meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Rich, velvety sauces embrace tender chicken pieces with passionate intensity.

Tangy sun-dried tomatoes provide unexpected brightness, cutting through the luxurious cream with surprising depth.

Aromatic herbs whisper subtle notes of complexity, elevating each carefully crafted bite beyond standard pasta preparations.

Textures interplay beautifully, creating a harmonious blend that satisfies both hunger and imagination.

This recipe promises a delightful journey through sensational taste combinations.

Why Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Is Weeknight Magic

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This recipe delivers a luxurious, velvety sauce that hugs every pasta strand, creating a decadent meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.
• Speed and Simplicity: Whipped up in just 30 minutes, this one-pot wonder eliminates multiple dish cleanup and provides a quick, satisfying dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
• Flavor Explosion: Sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasonings combine to create a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish that elevates standard chicken pasta with unexpected depth and zestiness.
• Nutrient-Packed Delight: Packed with protein from chicken, spinach's green goodness, and calcium-rich cheeses, this recipe offers a balanced meal that tastes indulgent while nourishing your body.

Ingredients for Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the main body of the dish, best when fresh and boneless.

• Fusilli, Penne: Pasta shapes that hold creamy sauce well, perfect for capturing flavors.
• Chicken Broth: Provides rich liquid base and enhances overall chicken flavor.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and adds smooth, rich undertone.
• Garlic Powder, Grated Garlic: Provides deep, aromatic garlic essence throughout the dish.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that adds authentic Mediterranean flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for subtle heat and spicy kick.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and elevating overall taste.

• Cream Cheese, Whole Milk: Creates smooth, luxurious sauce with rich texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty flavor and helps thicken sauce.

• Shallots: Mild, sweet onion flavor that adds depth to the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated, tangy tomato flavor with intense Mediterranean character.
• Baby Spinach: Fresh, green element that adds nutrition and color.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, aromatic herb that provides fresh finishing touch.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes

Step 1: Prepare Seasoned Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Red pepper flakes

Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked. Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Ingredients

• Shallots
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Minced garlic

Pour in chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring mixture to a boil.

Step 3: Cook Pasta and Greens

Add pasta to the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Cook pasta until tender, approximately 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently. During the final minute of cooking, incorporate fresh spinach and stir until wilted.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Cream cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Stir until cheeses melt completely. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and pour in milk. Continue stirring until sauce thickens and heats through, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Remove skillet from heat. Top with fresh chopped basil and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Tips for Rich and Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

• Select Quality Ingredients: Choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil for maximum flavor intensity and use fresh garlic for a more robust taste profile.
• Control Pasta Texture: Stir pasta frequently while cooking to prevent sticking and achieve perfectly al dente consistency without becoming mushy.
• Enhance Sauce Smoothness: Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature before adding to ensure seamless melting and a silky, uniform sauce.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal heat preference, starting with less and incrementally adding more for desired kick.
• Optimize Chicken Seasoning: Pat chicken dry before cooking to promote better browning and create a delicious golden exterior that locks in moisture.

How to Store and Reheat Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and potential bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Pack the pasta in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing dishes with fresh herbs like basil, as they'll lose their vibrant flavor.
• Reheating: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir gently and frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

Best Pairings for Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the creamy, tangy sun-dried tomato sauce and cuts through the richness of the dish.
• Craft Beer Companion: Select a light wheat beer or Belgian-style ale with subtle citrus notes that balances the pasta's creamy texture and enhances the herb and tomato flavors.
• Zesty Side Salad Match: Prepare a fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add brightness and acidity, which contrasts beautifully with the rich, cheesy pasta and provides a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Garlic Bread Sidekick: Serve crusty, herb-infused garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add an extra layer of garlicky goodness that perfectly complements the chicken and sun-dried tomato flavors.

Flavor Twists for Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

• Mediterranean Makeover: Replace chicken with grilled shrimp and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version of the pasta dish.
• Vegetarian Venture: Swap chicken with roasted chickpeas or white beans, increasing protein while keeping the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce intact.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate diced jalapeños, swap Italian seasoning for chili powder, and top with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mushroom Medley Edition: Add sautéed mixed mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms to enhance the earthy undertones of the creamy pasta.

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta brings Italian-inspired comfort to dinner tables with rich, tangy flavors. Silky sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly al dente pasta create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 ounces low-fat cream cheese, room temperature
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 8 ounces uncooked fusilli or penne pasta
• ½ cup diced shallots
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 2 cups packed baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup whole milk

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce chicken pieces, spreading them evenly across the cooking surface. Season generously with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook chicken thoroughly until golden and completely done, approximately 6-8 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.
2. Without cleaning the skillet, add additional olive oil if necessary. Sauté shallots, minced sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic until fragrant. Pour chicken broth into the pan, carefully scraping accumulated browned bits from the bottom to enhance flavor profile. Bring liquid to a rolling boil.
3. Introduce uncooked pasta directly into the boiling broth mixture. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. During final cooking minute, fold fresh spinach into the pasta, allowing leaves to wilt and incorporate seamlessly.
4. Incorporate cream cheese and Parmesan, stirring continuously until completely melted and creating a smooth, velvety sauce. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and pour milk, mixing thoroughly. Allow sauce to thicken and warm through for 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning according to taste preferences.
5. Remove skillet from heat source. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top for enhanced presentation and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Prepping this dish feels like a culinary adventure, blending creamy textures with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
• Chicken gets perfectly seasoned, creating a golden exterior that locks in juicy tenderness.
• Sun-dried tomatoes transform an ordinary pasta into a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal effort.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 59 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg