Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– Kosher salt (to taste)
– Black pepper (to taste)
– 8 ounces penne pasta, preferably with ridges
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving if desired
– 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained if packed in oil
– 1/2 cup basil pesto (homemade or quality store-bought), plus more if preferred
– 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
– Handful of torn basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
1-Season the chicken pieces in a bowl with the Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
2-Bring a medium pot of salted water (about 1 tablespoon salt) to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8 to 9 minutes.
3-While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 7 to 8 minutes.
4-Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta.
5-Reduce the skillet heat to low. Add the drained pasta, cooked chicken, heavy cream, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, and the drained sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir vigorously until well combined. If the sauce appears dry, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring until the sauce is glossy and creamy.
6-Turn off the heat. Stir in the 1/2 cup basil pesto until incorporated.
7-Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and the torn basil leaves. Serve immediately.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
π² Stir vigorously when combining pasta with sauce to release starch for a thicker texture.
π« Use quality extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated parmesan for best flavor.
π
Sun-dried tomatoes add tanginess; substitute with halved cherry tomatoes if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: SautΓ©ing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 445
- Sodium: 363mg
- Fat: 23.3g
- Saturated Fat: 7.8g
- Carbohydrates: 33.4g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Protein: 24.7g
