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Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken and Creamy Mozzarella Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 137 reviews

This Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken and Creamy Mozzarella Sauce is a delightful, savory dish featuring tender chicken breast tenderloins sautéed with fragrant garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Tossed in a rich, creamy mozzarella and half-and-half sauce, and seasoned with basil and red pepper flakes, this pasta combines robust flavors with a luscious texture that’s perfect for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Tomato Mixture

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 oz sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (reserved from sun-dried tomatoes jar)
  • 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins, sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Sauce and Pasta

  • 1 cup half and half (or substitute with 1/2 cup heavy cream + 1/2 cup milk)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (use pre-shredded, not fresh mozzarella)
  • 8 oz penne pasta (gluten free option: gluten free brown rice pasta)
  • 1 tablespoon basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more as needed)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes jar over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and drained sun-dried tomatoes, sautéing for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.
  2. Remove Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Carefully remove the sun-dried tomatoes from the skillet, leaving the infused olive oil behind for cooking the chicken.
  3. Cook Chicken: Season the sliced chicken breast tenderloins with 1/4 teaspoon salt and lightly coat with 1/4 teaspoon paprika for color. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and cook on high heat for 1 minute on each side until lightly browned. Remove from heat.
  4. Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
  5. Prepare Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Slice the previously removed sun-dried tomatoes into smaller pieces and add them back to the skillet with the cooked chicken.
  6. Make Creamy Sauce: Pour the half and half (or heavy cream and milk mixture) into the skillet along with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Heat gently, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring constantly.
  7. Simmer and Melt Cheese: Reduce heat to a simmer immediately and continue stirring until all the cheese melts and a creamy sauce forms.
  8. Combine Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the skillet with the creamy mozzarella sauce and stir thoroughly to combine.
  9. Season and Flavor: Stir in 1 tablespoon of basil and at least 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to add aromatic and spicy notes to the pasta.
  10. Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water gradually, approximately 1/2 cup or as needed, until you reach desired consistency. Avoid adding all the water at once.
  11. Final Seasoning and Simmer: Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Let the dish simmer for a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld together well.
  12. Serve: Once the sauce is creamy and the flavors are well combined, remove from heat and serve immediately, garnishing if desired.

Notes

  • You can substitute half and half with a mixture of 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup milk if desired for a richer sauce.
  • Use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese instead of fresh mozzarella to ensure better melting and creamier texture.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap penne pasta with gluten-free brown rice pasta.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to help thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick.
  • Adjust salt carefully to enhance the flavors of basil and sun-dried tomatoes without overpowering the dish.

Keywords: Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta, Chicken Pasta, Creamy Mozzarella Sauce, One-Pan Pasta, Italian Dinner

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/sun-dried-tomato-pasta-with-chicken-and-creamy-mozzarella-sauce-recipe/