SunKissed Chicken Pasta Tomato Mozzarella Dream

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever get that craving for Italy? This Sun-dried tomato pasta with chicken and mozzarella will sort you right out. It's a creamy hug in a bowl, honestly.

Brief Overview

This dish is an Italian pasta dinner staple. It's easier than you think. Prep takes about 15 minutes, cooking 25 minutes, serving 4 lucky people. Trust me, you'll impress everyone.

Main Benefits

This quick sun-dried tomato recipe is packed with flavour and is a good source of protein. It's perfect for a easy weeknight pasta recipe , and is total comfort food pasta dishes .

What makes it special? The tangy mozzarella pasta sauce with the juicy chicken and the tasty sun-dried tomatoes.

Ready to dive in?

This creamy dream starts with good quality pasta. I like penne or fettuccine for this. Don’t overcook it, mind, al dente is key!

You'll also need some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Season them well. I use salt, pepper, and a dash of Italian seasoning. Don't be shy.

We need to talk about sun-dried tomatoes. These are key. Buy them in oil. This creamy sun-dried tomato pasta is going to be heavenly.

Trust me. Don't throw away the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes! Use it to cook the chicken. It adds an extra layer of flavor.

My Nonna taught me that, angelsoni!

This recipe has a lot of Sun-dried tomato pasta variations .

SunKissed Chicken Pasta Tomato Mozzarella Dream Recipe Card

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 340g (12 oz) pasta (penne or fettuccine recommended)
• 450g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced or cubed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
• 30ml (2 tbsp) olive oil (reserved from the sun-dried tomato jar, if possible)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 70g (½ cup) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 240ml (1 cup) chicken broth
• 240ml (1 cup) heavy cream (double cream)
• 170g (1 ½ cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 30g (¼ cup) grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra depth)
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
• Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side, or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached. Remove from skillet and set aside, keeping warm.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
• Pour in chicken broth and simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (deglazing).
• Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Reduce heat to low. Stir in mozzarella cheese (and Parmesan, if using) until melted and smooth.
• Return cooked chicken to the pan. Add drained pasta and toss to coat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
• Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired.
• Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:650-750

Fat:35-45g

Fiber:50-60g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian

Ingredients & Equipment for Your Sun-Kissed Chicken Pasta

So, fancy making this Sun-dried tomato pasta with chicken? It's proper lush, honestly! Let's get this Italian pasta dinner sorted, yeah? Get your shopping list ready; this is going to be an easy weeknight pasta recipe .

Main Ingredients: Chicken Mozzarella Pasta Recipe

Alright, check this out. We need the good stuff for this creamy sun-dried tomato pasta .

• Pasta: 340g (12 oz) penne or fettuccine. Don't overcook it! Al dente is the way, mate!
• Chicken: 450g (1 lb) boneless, skinless breasts. Slice 'em up nice.
• Olive Oil: 30ml (2 tbsp) from that sun-dried tomato jar if you can.
• Garlic: 3 cloves , minced finely.
• Sun-dried Tomatoes: 70g (½ cup) in oil, drained and chopped. Get the ones that smell amazing!
• Chicken Broth: 240ml (1 cup) . Go for low sodium if you can.
• Heavy Cream: 240ml (1 cup) . This is what makes it creamy .
• Mozzarella: 170g (1 ½ cups) shredded. Fresh mozzarella is the best!
• Parmesan: 30g (¼ cup) grated (optional). Adds a bit of oomph .

Quality indicator? Good quality sun-dried tomatoes make all the difference! Trust me on this one. You can always look into Sun-dried tomato pasta variations that are out there!

Seasoning Notes: Unlock Italian Flavors

Let's talk flavour town, baby! Essential spice combos coming up!

• Italian Seasoning: 1 tsp . A blend of oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme.
• Salt & Pepper: To taste. Season generously!
• Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ tsp (optional). For a bit of a kick.

No Italian seasoning? Use a mix of dried oregano and basil. Works a treat! This is what brings the Italian vibe to the Mozzarella pasta sauce .

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

You don't need a fancy kitchen, promise!

• Large Pot: For the pasta.
• Large Skillet: For everything else.
• Colander: To drain the pasta, duh.
• Cutting Board & Knife: Obvious ones.

Don't have a fancy skillet? Any large frying pan will do. We're going for comfort food pasta dishes here, not Michelin star! This Quick sun-dried tomato recipe is a life saver if you have friends coming over for dinner!

Sun-Kissed Chicken Pasta: Cooking Up a Dream

Alright, so you wanna make this amazing Sun-dried tomato pasta with chicken? Honestly, it's easier than you think! We are diving straight into the cooking method of this creamy bowl of goodness.

Think Italian pasta dinner vibes, but totally doable on a easy weeknight pasta recipe .

Prep Steps: The "Mise en Place" Lowdown

First things first, the mise en place , which basically means getting your sht together before you start. Chop your Sun-dried tomatoes .

Mince your garlic. Slice or cube the chicken to your liking. Having everything ready saves a heap of time. And obviously, wash your hands! Safety first.

Oh my gosh!, I almost forgot to say It is critical that you do not miss this important step before cooking.

Step-by-Step: Pasta Perfection

Here's how we are making our Sun-dried tomato pasta with chicken :

1. Get that pasta cooking! Throw 340g of penne into boiling, salted water. Cook till al dente . Don't overcook it! Keep like half a cup of the pasta water for later.
2. Season 450g of chicken with salt, pepper, and a teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
3. Heat 30ml of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until it's golden brown and cooked through, around 5- 7 minutes each side . It must be 165° F ( 74° C)
4. Turn the heat down, add your 3 cloves minced garlic and 70g chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same pan. Sauté for about 1- 2 minutes.
5. Pour in 240ml of chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan to get all those tasty bits!
6. Add 240ml of heavy cream and simmer gently. Don't let it boil.
7. Turn the heat low, stir in 170g of mozzarella (and a bit of Parmesan if you are feeling fancy). Let it melt into a gorgeous sauce.
8. Add your cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce. Toss it all together. Add a splash of that reserved pasta water if it's too thick.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Pasta Game

Want to make this dish even better? Use good quality mozzarella. It makes all the difference, you know?. And here is another pro tip for you.

The starchy pasta water helps to create a silky smooth sauce for our Sun-dried tomato pasta variations . If you want some extra flavour, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

I've had those days, where you just needed to spice your food a little bit. Trust me, this works.

Recipe Notes: Tweak It Till You Love It

Alright, so you're about to dive into this Sun-dried tomato pasta with chicken? Awesome! But honestly, recipes are just guidelines.

Feel free to make it your own. Here are a few pointers to make it sing, my friend.

Serving Like a Pro

Think presentation! A swirl of pasta in a bowl, some extra mozzarella sprinkled on top, and a sprig of fresh basil? Chef's kiss! Plating is key.

As for sides, a simple green salad cuts through the richness. Garlic bread is always welcome at my table. Feeling fancy? Try a glass of crisp Pinot Grigio.

Storage Solutions

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This creamy sun-dried tomato pasta keeps well. Pop it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days .

For reheating, a little splash of milk or broth helps loosen the sauce. Freezing isn't ideal because the sauce can separate a bit.

But if you must, portion it out. Thaw completely before gently reheating. Remember, freezer burn is a party pooper, use it within 2-3 months.

Playing With Flavours

Want a change of pace? For a dietary adaptation, swap the cream with cashew cream. You'll have a totally vegan Sun-dried tomato pasta variations .

Also for a lighter Italian pasta dinner just use half-and-half.

During summer, try adding fresh basil. In winter, throw in some roasted butternut squash for a sweet twist. These seasonal ingredient swaps keep things interesting.

Nutrition: The Basics

Okay, so this isn't exactly health food. But, hey, life's too short to skip deliciousness. The recipe has a lot of protein from the chicken.

There are vitamins and minerals from the tomatoes. It provides a solid base of carbohydrates. Of course, it's also high in fat.

So, maybe don't eat the whole pot in one sitting! Just remember, moderation is key, even with comfort food pasta dishes .

This recipe isn't just a meal. It's an experience. It's about bringing joy and deliciousness to your table. So get in the kitchen and whip up your next easy weeknight pasta recipe .

Go on! Cook up this awesome recipe. Trust me, you'll nail it. This Sun-dried tomato pasta with chicken and Mozzarella pasta sauce is amazing, good luck!