Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta (The Perfect Weeknight Comfort Food)

This Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta is the ultimate one-pan comfort meal. It combines tender, seasoned chicken with a rich, velvety sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and cream. It’s a restaurant-quality dish that comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy evening.

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1. The Ingredients

• The Pasta: 10–12 oz of your favorite pasta (Penne, Fusilli, or Rigatoni work best for holding the sauce).

• The Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.

• The Aromatics: 3 cloves garlic (minced), ½ small onion (finely diced), and ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped).

• The Sauce Base: 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half), ½ cup chicken broth, and 1 cup tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes).

• The Finish: ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, and fresh basil for garnish.

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2. Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

1. While the pasta boils, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning.

3. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the onion until translucent, then add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.

2. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.

3. Stir in the tomato sauce and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and the remaining Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.

Step 4: Combine

1. Add the cooked chicken and pasta back into the skillet.

2. Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy tomato sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

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3. Tips for Success

• Sun-Dried Tomato Tip: If you use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, use a teaspoon of that oil to sear the chicken for extra flavor.

• Veggie Add-ins: This dish is excellent with a handful of fresh spinach stirred in at the very end until wilted.

• Even Coating: Always toss the pasta in the sauce over low heat for a minute to ensure the sauce sticks to the noodles perfectly.