Description
A flavorful and creamy spicy chicken pasta featuring tender chicken strips, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce, perfectly balanced with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes and a fresh basil garnish. This dish combines simple ingredients to create a satisfying and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thin strips)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your favorite kind)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for heat preference)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water for later use.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook for about 6-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes to marry the flavors.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, allowing the sauce to simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken strips back to the skillet and stir well to coat them with the creamy sauce.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves before serving hot.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for better flavor when possible.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce without diluting the flavor.
- Garnishing with fresh basil adds a bright, herbal contrast to the creamy sauce.
