Description
A creamy and comforting pasta dish made with tender chicken, penne pasta, and a rich parmesan cream sauce flavored with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 10 ounces penne pasta
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the chicken in the skillet until golden brown and fully cooked, then remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.
- Finish by sprinkling fresh basil over the top and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a richer flavor.
- Penne can be replaced with rigatoni, fettuccine, or rotini.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Replace part of the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten the dish.
- When reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk, cream, or broth to restore the creamy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
