Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

Savor our Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken, a flavor-packed 30-minute meal perfect for your busy weeknights!

a white plate with Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with a creamy sauce and chicken and a fork.

Some of the most popular recipes on this site are pasta dishes. From my Creamy Spinach Mushroom Pasta to Spicy Shrimp Spaghetti, they all have commonalities – they’re quick, easy, and delicious!

You’re going to love this creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken. Its tasty cream sauce is full of yummy ingredients like garlic, fresh basil, onions, Parmesan cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Why This Recipe Works

Flavorful Sun-dried Tomatoes add a burst of concentrated tomato flavor and a nice chewy texture, creating a beautiful contrast to the creamy sauce and tender chicken.
Sun-dried tomato paste and aromatics add a rich depth of flavor to the cream sauce that also helps to cut down on the creamy richness.
Using a mix of half-and-half and chicken stock strikes a perfect balance in the sauce with a creamy yet light consistency that’s irresistibly tasty.
Infused Pasta: Undercooking the pasta and finishing it in the sauce absorbs the rich flavors, making every bite a flavor-packed experience.

a pot of creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with chunks of chicken and sundried tomatoes.

Ingredient Notes

all of the ingredients for this recipe laid out on a table.

Olive Oil: Opt for extra-virgin olive oil for its rich, fruity flavor. Substitute with canola or sunflower oil if necessary. Found in the oils and vinegar aisle.
Chicken: Either chicken thighs or breasts will work. Thighs offer more flavor, while breasts are leaner.
Onion: A common yellow onion adds the best balance of sweetness and astringency. Substitute with red or white onions if needed.
Sun-dried Tomatoes: Choose ones that are packed in oil as they’re more flavorful and moist. Dried ones can also be used if rehydrated in hot water first. Located in the canned vegetables aisle of your grocery store.
Sun-dried Tomato Paste: This offers concentrated tomato flavor. Substitute with regular tomato paste if needed. Usually found in the pasta and sauces aisle.
Garlic: Freshly minced cloves deliver the most robust flavor. However, jarred minced garlic or garlic powder can also be used.
Half and Half: This adds creaminess without being too rich. You can substitute it with equal parts whole milk and light cream.
Chicken Stock: Opt for low-sodium chicken stock to control the saltiness. Vegetable broth can also be used. Located in the soup and broth aisle.
Pasta: Use any pasta of your choice. Penne or spaghetti works great. Gluten-free or whole-grain pasta can be used for healthier options.
Parmesan Cheese: Choose a block of fresh Parmesan and grate it yourself for the best flavor and melting quality. Pre-grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano can also be used. Located in the dairy section.
Fresh Basil: Adds a bright, aromatic flavor. Dried basil can be used in a pinch. Found in the produce section.

Step By Step Instructions

Preparation

Begin by prepping your Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta by bringing a large pot of salted water to boil for your 1 pound of pasta.

Pat the 2 lbs of chicken meat dry with paper towels. Cut it into evenly cut bite-sized pieces.

Cook the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add in your 2 pounds of cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the chicken turns golden brown and is cooked through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

chicken pieces cooking in a pan with olive oil

Prepare the Sauce

Using the same skillet, add in your chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent. This should take around 5 minutes. Follow this by adding ¼ cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

onions, garlic and sundried tomatoes cooking in a pan with a wooden spoon.

Mix in 2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato paste and 3 cloves of minced garlic. Stir these together and let it cook for an additional minute.

Add 1½ cups of half and half and ¾ cup of chicken stock to the skillet, followed by ¾ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir it well, allowing the ingredients to combine. Bring this mixture to a simmer before reducing the heat to low and let it cook for about 10 minutes.

the creamy sauce for the Chicken Sundried Tomato Pasta cooking in a pan.

Cook the Pasta

While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta until just underdone. Aim for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente pasta. Before draining, reserve a cup of the pasta water.

Finishing The Dish

Drain the undercooked pasta and add it directly into the skillet containing the sauce.

the pasta added to the pan with the sauce.

Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, stirring it into the mixture. Allow the pasta and chicken to simmer for a few minutes until the pasta is fully cooked and has absorbed some flavorful sauce.

If your Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta sauce gets too thick, add the pasta water a little at a time to help loosen the sauce.

the finished creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with chicken in the pan.

Serve and enjoy!

Make ahead and Freezing Instructions

Making Ahead: To make Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta ahead, follow the recipe without the pasta and then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove and follow the recipe from step 7.

Freezing Instructions: Add to a freezer-safe, airtight container, label, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Erren’s Top Tips

When cooking your pasta, salt to the water well. You want it to season as it cooks. The most excellent sauce in the world can’t fix bland pasta.
Cook the pasta until it’s just underdone – it should still have a good bite. I recommend testing your pasta about three minutes before the time on the box. It will finish cooking in the sauce.
Some Parmesan cheese is quite salty, so try your sauce before using salt.
Don’t Have Parmesan Cheese? Use cheeses with lots of flavor that melt nicely into the sauce, such as Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or Grana Padano.
Be sure to serve the dish immediately as the cream sauces dry out quickly as they cool.

a white plate with Chicken Sundried Tomato Pasta and a fork.

Let’s Make
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

A delectable dish of Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken flavored with Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, and garlic.

Prep10 minutes

Cook20 minutes

Total30 minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Pat the chicken meat dry with paper towels. Cut it into evenly cut bite-sized pieces and season well with salt and pepper.
In a large pot, start a pot of salted water to cook the pasta.
While waiting for the water to boil, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken, seasoned with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Once done, set the chicken aside.
Use the same skillet to sauté the chopped onion until it becomes soft and translucent. Follow this by adding the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sun-dried tomato paste, and minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute.
Mix in the chicken stock half and half, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine the ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to low, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce and thicken.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in the boiling water, making sure to undercook it by about 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente pasta. Remember to reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining.
Drain the slightly undercooked pasta and add it directly into the skillet containing the sauce. Mix the pasta well into the sauce, gradually adding the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.
Finally, add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, stirring it into the mixture. Allow everything to simmer together for a few minutes until the pasta is fully cooked and has absorbed some of the flavorful sauce (adding pasta water if necessary to loosen).
Taste for seasoning and season the pasta with salt and pepper as needed. Serve right away.

Tips + Notes

Serves 4 to 6

When cooking your pasta, salt to the water well. You want it to season as it cooks. The most excellent sauce in the world can’t fix bland pasta.
Cook the pasta until it’s just underdone – it should still have a good bite. I recommend testing your pasta about three minutes before the time on the box. It will finish cooking in the sauce.
Some Parmesan cheese is quite salty, so try your sauce before using salt.
Don’t Have Parmesan Cheese? Use cheeses with lots of flavor that melt nicely into the sauce, such as Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or Grana Padano.
Be sure to serve the dish immediately as the cream sauces dry out quickly as they cool.

Nutrition Information:

Nutritional Data Disclaimer

Course:Dinner

Cuisine:Italian

Keyword:Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta, Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in 2022 but was republished with new content, photos, tips, and an updated recipe in 2023.

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

Why This Recipe Works

Ingredient Notes