Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this sun dried tomato chicken pasta recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Creamy sauce mingles with tender chicken and vibrant sun dried tomatoes to create a meal that feels restaurant-worthy.

Each bite bursts with rich, tangy notes that dance across your palate.

The combination of simple ingredients transforms an ordinary pasta dish into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Pantry staples come together quickly, making this recipe perfect for busy evenings.

Hearty and satisfying, this pasta promises to become a new family favorite that everyone will request again and again.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly delicious dinner can be.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Highlights

• Whip Up Quickly: Minimal cooking steps make this pasta dish a breeze to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows swapping ingredients like using different cheeses or adding extra vegetables to suit personal taste preferences and pantry availability.
• Pack Nutritious Punch: Protein-rich chicken combines with vitamin-loaded spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, creating a balanced meal that delivers both flavor and health benefits in one skillet.
• Family-Friendly Favorite: Creamy texture and mild seasonings appeal to both adults and kids, making it an ideal dinner option that keeps everyone satisfied and coming back for seconds.

Ingredients for Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

• Chicken: A lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish and adds hearty flavor.

• Shallots, Garlic: These ingredients create a rich, deep base flavor for the sauce.
• Sun Dried Tomatoes, Spinach: Add robust tomato taste and fresh green nutrition to the pasta.

• Broth: Helps create a flavorful liquid base for cooking and adding moisture.
• Cheeses: Provide creamy texture and rich, tangy flavor to the dish.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and creamy sauce consistency.
• Basil: Offers a fresh, herbal garnish that brightens the overall flavor profile.

• Oil: Enables sautéing and prevents sticking during cooking.
• Seasonings: Enhance and balance the overall taste of the chicken and dish.
• Pasta: Serves as the foundational carbohydrate and main component of the recipe.

Steps for Chicken Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat a large skillet with oil over medium-high heat.

Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs.

Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.

Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a clean plate and set aside.

Step 2: Craft the Flavor Base

In the same skillet, add finely chopped shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic.

Sauté the ingredients until they become fragrant and slightly softened, about 2 minutes.

Pour in chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Cook Pasta and Greens

Add pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat with the flavorful sauce.

Cook the pasta until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, typically 15-20 minutes.

In the final minute of cooking, toss in fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to gently wilt into the dish.

Step 4: Create Creamy Perfection

Introduce a blend of cheeses and milk to the skillet, stirring until everything melts into a luxurious, creamy sauce.

Carefully return the cooked chicken to the pan, warming it through.

Finish by scattering fresh basil leaves on top for a burst of fresh flavor.

Helpful Tips for Chicken Pasta Lovers

• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior and maximize flavor absorption.
• Choose high-quality, plump sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil for richer, more intense taste profile.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining to help create a silky, smooth sauce if needed for better consistency.
• Add spinach in the last minute of cooking to maintain bright green color and prevent wilting into mushy texture.
• Remove pan from direct heat when adding cheeses to prevent separation and achieve creamy, smooth sauce.

Flavorful Variations for Tomato Chicken Pasta

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, maintaining the same cooking method and seasoning profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Add oregano, thyme, and za'atar spice blend for an authentic Mediterranean flavor while keeping the core recipe structure.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta like brown rice or chickpea pasta, ensuring all ingredients remain consistent with original recipe.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash, keeping sun-dried tomatoes and chicken as primary protein source.

Serving Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

• Flavor Fusion Plate: Serve alongside a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy pasta.
• Rustic Family Style: Place the entire skillet on the dining table, letting everyone serve themselves with warm crusty Italian bread for soaking up extra sauce.
• Gourmet Presentation: Plate individually with a sprinkle of fresh basil, cracked black pepper, and a small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for enhanced visual appeal and depth of flavor.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the dish with a chilled glass of crisp Pinot Grigio or light Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the creamy texture and highlight the sun-dried tomato notes.

Storage Tips for Chicken Pasta Dishes

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish cool and covered to maintain its fresh flavor and prevent drying out.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Seal tightly and freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm gently in microwave or skillet, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Avoid overheating to preserve chicken's tenderness.
• Enjoy pasta within 24 hours of cooking for optimal taste and texture. Pasta tends to absorb liquid over time, so adding a little extra liquid when reheating helps maintain its creamy consistency.

FAQs

• What makes sun-dried tomatoes special in this recipe?

Sun-dried tomatoes provide an intense, sweet-tangy flavor that adds depth and richness to the pasta sauce, creating a more complex taste profile compared to regular fresh tomatoes.

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests a specific pasta, you can easily swap it with penne, fusilli, or rotini. Choose pasta shapes that can hold the creamy sauce well.

• Is this dish considered a balanced meal?

Yes, this recipe offers a balanced meal with protein from chicken, carbohydrates from pasta, and nutrients from spinach and tomatoes, making it a nutritious one-pot dinner option.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across your plate with bold, tangy notes. Rich parmesan and herbed chicken create a luxurious dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Protein Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Vegetable Ingredients:

• 8 ounces fusilli pasta
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup shallots, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, grated

Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

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Instructions

1. Sear chicken in hot skillet with seasoned oil, cooking for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked and golden. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
2. In the same skillet, gently sauté shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic for 2 minutes, releasing aromatic flavors.
3. Pour broth into skillet, scraping up caramelized bits from bottom of pan to enhance sauce depth.
4. Add pasta to skillet, cooking for 15-20 minutes at medium heat until reaching perfect al dente texture.
5. During final minute of pasta cooking, fold in fresh spinach, allowing leaves to delicately wilt and integrate into dish.
6. Reduce heat and incorporate cheeses and milk, stirring continuously until creating smooth, creamy sauce consistency.
7. Return cooked chicken to skillet, warming through and ensuring complete integration with pasta and sauce.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves, providing bright, herbaceous finish to the complete meal.

Notes

• Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to make this dish vegetarian-friendly and packed with plant-based protein.
• Use gluten-free pasta to transform the recipe for those with wheat sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Opt for low-fat cheese and milk alternatives to reduce overall calorie and fat content without sacrificing flavor.
• Enhance nutrition by adding extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers during the sauce preparation stage.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 525
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg