Description
Indulgent creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta brings Italian-inspired comfort to weeknight dinners. Garlic, herbs, and tender chicken meld into a luxurious sauce that welcomes you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (16 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 8 oz uncooked fusilli or penne pasta
- 2 oz low-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups packed baby spinach
- ½ cup diced shallots
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsps Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Distribute chicken pieces evenly, seasoning with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook until golden and fully done, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Create Flavor Base: In the same skillet, sauté shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic until aromatic. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping browned bits to intensify flavor. Bring liquid to a vigorous boil.
- Cook Pasta and Spinach: Add uncooked pasta directly into boiling broth. Simmer on medium heat, stirring to prevent sticking. In the final minute, fold in fresh spinach, allowing leaves to wilt and integrate seamlessly.
- Develop Creamy Sauce: Melt cream cheese and Parmesan, stirring until smooth and velvety. Reintroduce chicken, pour milk, and blend thoroughly. Simmer 3-5 minutes to thicken sauce and harmonize flavors. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an elegant presentation and flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Chicken Cooking Tip: Ensure chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Pasta Cooking Technique: Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking and achieve uniform cooking, creating perfect al dente texture.
- Sauce Consistency Hack: Mix cream cheese and Parmesan slowly to create a smooth, lump-free sauce that coats ingredients evenly.
- Flavor Boosting Trick: Scrape browned bits from skillet bottom to unlock deep, rich flavor complexities that elevate the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 92 mg