Name: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 oz. penne pasta (uncooked); 2 tbsps. olive oil (light tasting, searing the chicken); 1.5 lb. chicken tenderloins (cubed into bite-sized pieces); ¼ tsp. black pepper; ½ tsp. salt; ½ tsp. garlic powder; ½ tsp. onion powder; 1½ cup heavy cream; 1½ cup chicken broth (low sodium); ½ tsp. salt (or more to taste); ¾ tsp. black pepper ( or less to taste); ½ tsp. onion powder; 7 oz. sun-dried tomatoes (in jar, drained); 3 whole garlic cloves (minced); ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese; ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped and packed); ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (or chili flakes, optional)

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Hearty, flavorful, and rich, this Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta is a sure hit for the family. Made in 30 minutes, this chicken penne pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner. Made with budget friendly ingredients, you’ll be making this on repeat!

Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner or preparing for a potluck, this sun dried tomato pasta is going to be a smash hit. Loaded with flavor, packed with protein, and coated in a delicious cream sauce, you won’t believe how delicious this pasta recipe tastes!

A plate of creamy sun-dried tomato pasta with fresh basil and parmesan shavings on top.

If you’re looking for other delicious pasta recipes, why not also try my Baked Feta Pasta or my Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese! Both pasta recipes are uncomplicated and made in 35 minutes or less, making them absolutely perfect for a busy weeknight.

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Pasta Recipe
How To Make Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
How to Make Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Recipe Variations
Tips and Notes
More Creamy Pastas You’ll Love
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Easy Pasta Recipe

It’s so quick! You can get this recipe from your pantry to table in 30 minutes. Perfect for when you are just exhausted and need to get dinner ready quickly.
Better than takeout. Creamy sauces don’t travel well for delivery and tastes so much better fresh off the stove.
Family friendly. This is a pasta recipe that the whole family will absolutely love!

How To Make Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

Penne pasta
Olive oil
Chicken tenderloins — cubed into bite-sized pieces
Seasoning: salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
Heavy cream
Chicken broth — go for the low sodium option
Sun-dried tomatoes in jar
Garlic cloves — minced
Grated parmesan cheese
Fresh basil — chopped and packed
Cayenne pepper or chili flakes — optional for a little extra heat

How to Make Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Cook the pasta: Cook pasta according to the instructions on the package. Drain when ready to add into the sauce.
Prepare the chicken: In a small bowl season chicken with the mixture of seasonings listed under chicken.
Cook the chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.

Sauce being made in a pot for sun-dried tomato pasta.

Make the sauce: Add tomatoes and garlic and cook for a couple more minutes. Add the heavy cream, broth, the cheese, salt, onion powder, black pepper and cayenne pepper if using any. Mix and simmer the sauce on low heat for a few minutes until the sauce thickens up.

Adding pasta and fresh basil to the cream sauce to be coated.

Combine the rest of the ingredients: Stir in drained pasta and fresh basil. Cover and cook for a few more minutes on low heat until the pasta absorbs some of the sauce. Top with more chopped fresh basil and shaved parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

Recipe Variations

You can use whatever pasta you’d like! Try farfalle (bow-tie pasta), ziti, or rigatoni pasta or even a whole grain pasta.
If you don’t have fresh basil, you can substitute with dried. For every 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs, you can swap for 1 teaspoon of dried.
Chicken tenders can be swapped for chicken thighs or breasts. You can even cut your chicken breasts into tenders.
Want to try a different protein? Try shrimp, turkey sausage, or whatever meat you have in your fridge.

Tips and Notes

A time-saving tip is to heat the skillet with oil while you are mixing together the spices, thus reducing the time you are waiting for things to heat up. Also, start boiling the water for your pasta as you prep your ingredients so it’s ready for your pasta once you’re done chopping and dicing.
Make sure to cut your chicken in equal bite size pieces, so the pieces will be cooked evenly.
Use enough cold water so when the pasta begins to cook and expand, there will still be plenty of room for the noodles to move freely.
Make sure your pot is boiling before adding the pasta. Noodles that are added too soon will be soggy and not properly cooked. It’s best to set a timer so you don’t forget about it.
As soon as you put your pasta in the water make sure to stir it. This stops the pasta from sticking together.

More Creamy Pastas You’ll Love

Close up of sun-dried pasta in a pot with fresh basil on top.

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