Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout
Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a quick, better-than-takeout dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfectly creamy sauce every time. The sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavor and a cozy, golden color to this dish. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Potatoes Recipe and Easy Meal Prep Farro Salad with Roasted Summer Vegetables.
Why This Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout taste at home
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Creamy, rich, and full of flavor
- Perfect for meal prepping
What You'll Need for Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- pasta
- sun-dried tomatoes
- heavy cream
- garlic
- olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
- Optional: fresh basil
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time → See on Amazon
- High-Quality Pasta Pot — Prevents pasta from sticking and boiling over → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cook chicken in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes until fragrant. Add heavy cream and simmer until thickened.
- Step 3: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss to combine.
- Step 4: Slice the cooked chicken and add it back to the skillet. Stir to combine. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Serve hot, topped with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It will become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet before adding the heavy cream.
- Pro tip: To make this dish spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout
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: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
Freezing Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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: For a healthier version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little chicken broth or milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- pasta
- sun-dried tomatoes
- heavy cream
- garlic
- olive oil
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
Optional Toppings
- fresh basil
- grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook chicken in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes until fragrant. Add heavy cream and simmer until thickened.
- Step 3: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss to combine.
- Step 4: Slice the cooked chicken and add it back to the skillet. Stir to combine. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Serve hot, topped with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little chicken broth or milk.
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. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- 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: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, this dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) but not much more.
Yes, you can make this in the slow cooker. Cook the chicken and sauce in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Then, cook the pasta separately and combine.
You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free if you use gluten-free pasta.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Better Than Takeout 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!
