Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken Pasta
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this creamy, flavor-packed Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken Pasta! Tender slices of perfectly seared chicken breasts are paired with al dente penne, all drenched in a rich and velvety sauce made from sun-dried tomato pesto, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Infused with fragrant garlic and finished with fresh basil, this dish is an irresistible blend of savory and tangy flavors. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s an easy one-skillet meal that’s perfect for busy nights or date-night meals at home. Customize with optional sun-dried tomatoes for added texture and serve with a sprinkling of Parmesan for a restaurant-quality touch. Indulge in this comforting yet sophisticated pasta recipe today!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 cup Sun-dried tomato pesto
- 0.75 cup Heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Chicken broth
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.25 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (optional, chopped)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
While the pasta is cooking, season both sides of the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the sun-dried tomato pesto, heavy cream, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir until the ingredients are well combined, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and let the sauce thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until your desired consistency is achieved.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it well to coat with the sauce. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes (if using) for extra flavor.
Top the pasta with sliced chicken and garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2644 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 106.6 g | 137% | |
| Saturated Fat | 43.8 g | 219% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 476 mg | 159% | |
| Sodium | 2678 mg | 116% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 249.8 g | 91% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.6 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.0 g | ||
| Protein | 150.5 g | 301% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 44 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 15.8 mg | 88% | |
| Potassium | 1586 mg | 34% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
