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+ servings

Creamy Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Pasta

A luscious cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and basil coats tender chicken and pasta for an irresistible weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 780

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided, or use oil from sun-dried tomato jar
  • 3 cups fresh basil leaves loosely packed, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 3 oz fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water plus more if needed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • flaky sea salt for serving

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add a generous amount of Kosher salt. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente, about 11 minutes. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with dried oregano, 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 7 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate or bowl.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil (or sun-dried tomato oil) to the same skillet. Stir in the chopped basil and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and crushed red pepper flakes; cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Add the tomato paste and stir to dissolve and incorporate. Pour in the white wine and let it bubble for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the heavy cream, then stir until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
  6. Add the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, baby spinach, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, and grated Parmesan to the skillet. Toss everything gently to combine, adding more pasta water a little at a time if the sauce seems too thick. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve in warm bowls, topped with extra Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Nutrition

Calories: 780kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 39gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 480mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Notes

For a lighter sauce, swap half the heavy cream for chicken broth. Any short pasta like penne or fusilli works in place of rigatoni. If using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, save the oil from the jar for extra flavor when sautéing. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; reheat on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth. This dish is not suitable for freezing because the cream sauce can separate. You can cook the chicken and sauce up to 1 day ahead; simply reheat and toss with freshly cooked pasta before serving. Garnish each bowl with extra Parmesan and fresh basil for a beautiful presentation.

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