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Cheesy Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato

A creamy, speedy weeknight dinner that’s cheesy, tangy, and ready in under 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lb chicken breast, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 8 oz penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 oz sun-dried tomatoes, drained (packed in oil or rehydrated)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking chicken)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing garlic & tomatoes)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (for chicken)
  • ½ tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt (for sauce), to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (for sauce), to taste
  • ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken into small ½-inch cubes and season with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ tablespoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about ¼ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 2–3 minutes per side until fully cooked and lightly golden. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover.
  4. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sauté the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Transfer them to a plate as well.
  5. Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the heavy cream and shredded mozzarella. Stir constantly as the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  6. Season the sauce with chopped basil, red pepper flakes (if using), ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste), and ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste).
  7. Return the chicken, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  8. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until fully coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency. Serve immediately or divide into meal prep containers.

Notes

Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for deeper flavor; reserve a little oil to sauté. Avoid overcooking chicken and melt cheese slowly to prevent graininess.

  • Author: jayne
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: None

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, pasta, creamy, quick dinner, family meal