Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a comforting, creamy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfectly creamy sauce is to add the heavy cream off the heat. The sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavor that my family loves. Keep reading for tips on preventing a broken sauce. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl and Quick Chicken Avocado Wrap.
Why This Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Is Pure Comfort
- It's ready in just 30 minutes
- The creamy sauce is made with simple ingredients
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavor
- It's a family favorite that's better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- pasta
- heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- sun-dried tomatoes
- garlic
- onion
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Optional: fresh basil
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs.
- sun-dried tomatoes: Use oil-packed for extra flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and cooks chicken perfectly → See on Amazon
- High-quality pasta pot — Prevents overcooking and sticking → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Step 1: Cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot or on the stove until cooked through. Set aside.
- Step 2: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Step 5: Add cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce, adding pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Step 6: Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- : Use a high-quality pasta pot to prevent overcooking and sticking.
- Common mistake and fix: If your sauce breaks, add a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water and simmer until thickened.
- : For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- : To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Storing & Reheating Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the chicken and sun-dried tomatoes up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Freezing Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Add the heavy cream off the heat to prevent the sauce from breaking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts for chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sun-dried tomatoes up to 1 day ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce breaks, add a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water and simmer until thickened.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chef's knife — Makes prep work faster and easier → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- pasta
- heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- sun-dried tomatoes
Seasonings
- garlic
- onion
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- fresh basil
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot or on the stove until cooked through. Set aside.
- Step 2: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Step 5: Add cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce, adding pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Step 6: Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: Add the heavy cream off the heat to prevent the sauce from breaking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts for chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sun-dried tomatoes up to 1 day ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce breaks, add a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water and simmer until thickened.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the chicken and sun-dried tomatoes up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sun-dried tomatoes up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
The sauce may break if the cream is added while the skillet is too hot. Add the cream off the heat to prevent this.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Cook them in the Instant Pot or on the stove until cooked through, then proceed with the recipe.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free if you use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
You can use roasted red peppers or fire-roasted diced tomatoes as a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
