Description
Mediterranean-inspired sun-dried tomato chicken pasta delivers a rich, creamy experience with complex flavors from Italy. Robust ingredients and simple preparation make this dish perfect for quick weeknight dinners you can savor with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 oz (57 g) low-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup (25 g) shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 8 oz (227 g) uncooked fusilli or penne pasta
- 2 cups (60 g) packed baby spinach
- ½ cup (80 g) diced shallots
- ⅓ cup (50 g) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 ½ cups (600 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sear Chicken: Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, positioning chicken pieces in a single layer. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook 6-8 minutes until golden and fully cooked, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Aromatics Development: In the same skillet, sauté shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and crushed garlic for 2 minutes, creating a fragrant base while capturing residual cooking essences.
- Liquid Integration: Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, meticulously scraping browned bits to enhance sauce complexity. Add pasta, reducing heat to medium and stirring frequently to prevent adherence, cooking 15-20 minutes until perfectly al dente.
- Finishing Touches: Incorporate spinach during the final cooking minute, allowing gentle wilting. Blend cream cheese and Parmesan until sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Reintroduce chicken, splash milk, and simmer 3-5 minutes to harmonize flavors and achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Presentation: Conduct final seasoning adjustment, garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan, then serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Chicken Searing Tip: Ensure chicken pieces are dry and at room temperature before cooking to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and lock in maximum flavor.
- Pasta Cooking Technique: Stir pasta frequently and monitor liquid levels to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, creating a restaurant-quality texture.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Add cream cheese and Parmesan gradually while stirring continuously to prevent clumping and create a smooth, silky sauce.
- Flavor Boosting Trick: Allow the skillet to retain browned bits from chicken cooking, as these caramelized remnants provide intense depth and richness to the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg