If you’re looking for a dish that’s comforting and packed with flavor, this Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta is a must-try. The rich sauce, made with sun-dried tomatoes and tender chicken, clings to every strand of pasta, making each bite a delight. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week.
Steps
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil from sun-dried tomatoes in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked, then transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add another tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil to the pan. Sauté diced onion and sliced mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for another 2 minutes while stirring frequently.
- Simmer the Pasta: Pour in 3 ½ cups of vegetable broth, add pasta and sun-dried tomatoes, and stir. Cook, stirring more frequently as the pasta absorbs the broth, until it’s nearly al dente. Add more broth if needed to ensure pasta cooks properly.
- Finish the Dish: Mix in spinach, fresh basil, heavy cream, and the cooked chicken, stirring until the spinach wilts and the pasta reaches al dente.
- Serve: Dish up immediately with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy your meal!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 (8-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped (reserve the oil)
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups vegetable broth
- 8 ounces small pasta shape (such as gnocchetti sardi or orzo)
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of protein instead of chicken?
- Absolutely! Italian sausage, whether traditional or plant-based, makes a great alternative to chicken in this recipe.
- What pasta shapes work best for this recipe?
- Small pasta shapes like gnocchetti sardi, orzo, orecchiette, lumachine, anelli, or tubetti rigate are ideal as they provide a chewy texture. Just be sure to adjust the cooking liquid according to the pasta’s cooking time.
- How can I make this dish spicier?
- To increase the heat, simply add more crushed red pepper flakes. Doubling the amount can give the dish a more pronounced kick.
- Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
- Yes, you can easily make this dish gluten-free by substituting with your favorite gluten-free pasta.
- What other vegetables can I add to this pasta?
- Feel free to include additional sauté-friendly veggies like asparagus, bell peppers, broccolini, peas, eggplant, yellow squash, or zucchini to enhance the dish.
Tips
- Adjust Broth Based on Pasta Choice: The cooking time of your chosen pasta can affect the amount of broth needed. If your pasta cooks faster than gnocchetti sardi, you may end up with more liquid in the pot. Conversely, if it takes longer, you might need to add extra broth to achieve the desired texture.
- Frequent Stirring: As the pasta begins to absorb the broth, make sure to stir it more often. This will help the pasta cook evenly and prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- Customize the Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your heat preference. Doubling the amount can give the dish a spicier kick, while the suggested 1/2 teaspoon provides a subtle warmth.
- Experiment with Additional Ingredients: Consider adding your own twist to the recipe by incorporating extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers, or using a different protein such as Italian sausage for variety.
Equipment
- Dried Tomato Pasta recipe, focusing on items that might not be commonly found in every home kitchen:
- Large Nonstick Sauté Pan – A quality nonstick sauté pan is essential for cooking the chicken and veggies evenly without sticking.
- Garlic Press – Useful for efficiently pressing or mincing garlic.
- Microplane or Parmesan Grater – Necessary for grating fresh Parmesan cheese to top the pasta.
- Chef’s Knife – A sharp chef’s knife is important for efficiently chopping and slicing ingredients like chicken, onions, and basil.
