Description
Creamy sun-dried tomato pasta with chicken and mozzarella brings Mediterranean flavors to weeknight dinners. Hearty ingredients combine for a satisfying meal you can easily prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (pre-shredded Mozzarella, not fresh)
- 8 oz (226 grams) penne pasta (gluten-free brown rice pasta for a gluten-free option)
- 1 cup half and half (or ½ cup heavy cream + ½ cup milk)
- 4 oz (113 grams) sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp basil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp salt (to taste)
- ½ cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more, as needed)
Instructions
- Flavor Infusion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high, sautéing garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for 60 seconds to release aromatic essences.
- Chicken Preparation: Season chicken breasts with kosher salt and smoked paprika, then sear at high temperature for 60-90 seconds per side until golden-brown.
- Pasta Cooking: Prepare pasta according to package instructions, reserving starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Sauce Development: Return sun-dried tomatoes and chicken to skillet, pour half-and-half cream, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese, creating a luxurious sauce by gently heating and stirring until cheese melts.
- Final Assembly: Combine pasta with creamy sauce, incorporating chopped basil leaves and red pepper flakes. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Finishing Touch: Perform final seasoning with additional salt and red pepper flakes, allowing the dish to simmer briefly for flavor integration.
Notes
- Control Oil Temperature: Prevent burning garlic by maintaining medium-high heat and removing immediately when fragrant.
- Chicken Searing Technique: Achieve perfect golden-brown exterior by using high heat and avoiding overcrowding in the skillet.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserved starchy liquid helps create silky, cohesive sauce and adjust consistency effortlessly.
- Cheese Melting Strategy: Reduce heat while stirring to ensure smooth, velvety sauce without separating or burning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg