Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta (uncooked)
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (for chicken)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (for chicken)
Sauce
- 8 ounces jarred sun-dried tomatoes (drained and sliced if large)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (for sauce)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (for sauce)
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Garnish
- ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped and packed)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the uncooked penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss the chicken tenderloin pieces with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to season evenly. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and mostly cooked through. It will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Prepare the sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to release their flavor. Pour in the heavy cream and low-sodium chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and chili flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 4 to 5 minutes until flavors meld.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Slowly pour this slurry into the sauce while stirring continuously. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and reaches a creamy consistency.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Finish with basil: Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the sauce. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil if desired.
Notes
- For best results, use jarred sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for richer flavor.
- You can substitute chicken tenderloins with chicken breast but be careful not to overcook.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- If sauce is too thick, stir in a bit more chicken broth to loosen it up.
- Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and provide brighter flavor than pre-grated varieties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian