Dreamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta With Chicken and Mozzarella Recipe

Sun-dried tomato pasta weaves a tapestry of Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate with vibrant intensity.

Mediterranean cuisine inspires this remarkable dish, blending rustic ingredients into a symphony of taste and texture.

Rich, concentrated tomatoes provide an elegant depth that redefines ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Tender chicken complements the sun-kissed tomato essence, creating a harmonious balance of protein and zesty notes.

Creamy mozzarella melts strategically, binding ingredients with its smooth, comforting embrace that elevates each forkful.

Delicate herbs whisper subtle undertones, infusing the entire composition with aromatic sophistication.

Passionate home cooks appreciate how simple techniques can produce restaurant-quality results without complex preparations or expensive ingredients.

Tips to Avoid Dry Chicken and Sticky Pasta

• Maximize Garlic Flavor: Crush garlic cloves slightly before chopping to release more intense aromatics and enhance the overall dish's taste profile.
• Perfect Chicken Sear: Pat chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure a golden-brown, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding mozzarella to prevent separation and create a smooth, creamy sauce.
• Pasta Water Magic: Always save a cup of starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help ingredients bind together seamlessly.
• Herb Freshness Boost: Add fresh basil just before serving to preserve its vibrant color and maximize its aromatic flavor impact.

Leftovers? Keep That Pasta Tender and Tasty

• Refrigerate leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When reheating, add a splash of half-and-half or milk to restore the creamy sauce's consistency. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and maintain sauce quality. Discard if pasta develops an off smell or appears moldy.

What Drinks or Sides Go with This Dish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness while enhancing the dish's delicate flavors.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Crusty, buttery garlic bread provides the perfect crunchy contrast to the smooth pasta. Its garlicky notes amplify the sun-dried tomato and herb elements in the main dish.
• Fresh Arugula Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette as a side. The peppery greens and bright dressing balance the pasta's creamy texture and add a refreshing element to the meal.
• Sparkling Water with Lemon: A glass of cold sparkling water with a fresh lemon slice cleanses the palate between bites. Its effervescence cuts through the rich sauce and provides a light, refreshing counterpoint.

Variations That Add Even More Comfort

• Mediterranean Veggie Fusion: Replace chicken with grilled zucchini, eggplant, and artichoke hearts for a vegetarian Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Seafood Upgrade: Swap chicken with sautéed shrimp or scallops, adding extra red pepper flakes for a bold, oceanic flavor profile.
• Creamy Pesto Remix: Incorporate basil pesto into the sauce, replacing half-and-half with cream cheese for a richer, herbaceous alternative.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use spiralized zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to make the dish suitable for those with dietary restrictions.

What Makes This Pasta Totally Craveable

• Savor Quick Flavor Fusion: This recipe brilliantly combines sun-dried tomatoes, chicken, and mozzarella in a lightning-fast 15-minute cooking process, delivering restaurant-quality taste without complex techniques.
• Creamy Texture Paradise: The half-and-half and melted mozzarella create a luxuriously smooth sauce that coats pasta perfectly, offering a rich, velvety mouthfeel that feels indulgent yet comforting.
• Customize Your Spice Adventure: Red pepper flakes allow personal heat control, letting home cooks adjust the dish's intensity from mild to fiery, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and tolerance levels.
• One-Skillet Convenience Magic: Minimal cookware and straightforward steps mean less cleanup, faster preparation, and an ideal weeknight meal solution for busy individuals craving delicious, homemade dinner without extensive kitchen work.

The Bold Ingredients Behind Every Bite

• Pasta: Classic choice for a hearty Italian-style meal, perfect for absorbing creamy sauce.
• Chicken: Lean protein that adds substance and richness to the dish, best when boneless and skinless.

• Mozzarella: Soft cheese that creates a smooth, melty texture in the sauce.
• Half-and-Half: Provides creamy consistency and rich flavor to the pasta sauce.

• Garlic: Fragrant base that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated tomato flavor with intense, slightly tangy taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and adds subtle fruity undertone.
• Basil: Fresh herb that brings brightness and classic Italian essence.
• Salt, Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes: Seasonings for depth, warmth, and gentle heat.

Toss, Simmer, and Plate This Tomato-Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Base

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat
• Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes
• Sauté for 1 minute until garlic becomes fragrant
• Remove tomatoes from skillet, keeping the infused oil

Step 2: Cook Seasoned Chicken

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and paprika
• Cook chicken in the same skillet on high heat
• Sear each side for 1 minute
• Remove chicken from heat

Step 3: Cook Pasta

• Follow package instructions for pasta
• Reserve pasta water before draining
• Set pasta aside

Step 4: Create Flavor Layers

• Chop sun-dried tomatoes into smaller pieces
• Return tomatoes to skillet with cooked chicken
• Add half-and-half and mozzarella cheese
• Bring mixture to gentle boil
• Reduce heat and simmer
• Stir until cheese melts into smooth, creamy sauce

Step 5: Combine and Finish Dish

• Mix sauce with drained pasta
• Sprinkle in fresh basil and red pepper flakes
• If sauce seems thick, add reserved pasta water
• Adjust seasoning with salt and additional red pepper flakes
• Let simmer briefly to blend flavors

Serving Suggestion: Serve hot, garnished with extra basil leaves

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta With Chicken And Mozzarella Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy sun-dried tomato pasta delivers Italian-inspired comfort with tender chicken and melted mozzarella. Mediterranean flavors merge in this quick weeknight meal that brings restaurant-quality satisfaction directly to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins, sliced
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (pre-shredded Mozzarella, not fresh)

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 8 oz (226 grams) penne pasta (gluten-free brown rice pasta for a gluten-free option)
• 1 cup half and half (or ½ cup heavy cream + ½ cup milk)
• 4 oz (113 grams) sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon basil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste)
• ½ cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more, as needed)

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Instructions

1. Preheat a large skillet, infuse extra virgin olive oil with minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes over medium-high heat, releasing aromatic flavors for approximately 60 seconds.
2. Extract the sun-dried tomatoes, preserving the infused olive oil in the skillet.
3. Generously season chicken breasts with kosher salt and smoked paprika, ensuring even coverage.
4. Sear chicken pieces at high temperature, developing a golden-brown exterior by cooking 60-90 seconds per side, then transfer to a separate plate.
5. Simultaneously prepare pasta according to package instructions, carefully reserving of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
6. Dice the previously removed sun-dried tomatoes into smaller, more manageable pieces.
7. Return the chicken and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the original skillet with the aromatic olive oil.
8. Pour half-and-half cream and sprinkle fresh mozzarella cheese into the skillet, creating a luxurious sauce.
9. Gently elevate the temperature, allowing the mixture to reach a soft bubbling point, then reduce heat and continuously stir until the cheese melts into a velvety consistency.
10. Combine the creamy sauce with the drained pasta, ensuring thorough coating.
11. Integrate fresh basil leaves and crushed red pepper flakes for enhanced flavor complexity.
12. If the sauce appears too dense, incrementally introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
13. Perform final seasoning with additional kosher salt and red pepper flakes according to personal preference.
14. Allow the dish to simmer briefly, enabling flavors to harmonize and meld together.

Notes

• Elevate this dish by using high-quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil for maximum flavor intensity.
• Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee food safety and juicy meat.
• Reserve pasta water before draining, as it’s a secret weapon for creating a silky, perfectly balanced sauce consistency.
• Choose fresh mozzarella for a more luxurious and creamy texture that melts beautifully into the sauce.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – start with a pinch and add more for spice lovers.
• Allow the final simmer to help flavors marry, transforming this pasta from good to restaurant-worthy.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 512 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg