Pin Recipe A luscious pasta dish featuring tender chicken, a rich creamy tomato sauce, and fresh basil for a comforting, flavorful meal.
The first time I made this pasta was for a weeknight family dinner after a hectic day, and everyone was amazed at how delicious it turned out in under an hour. Even picky eaters loved how the fresh basil brought the whole dish together.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: 2 large boneless, skinless (about 400 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Pasta: 350 g (12 oz) penne or fettuccine
- Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Canned crushed tomatoes: 400 g (14 oz)
- Sun-dried tomatoes: 100 g (3.5 oz), packed in oil, drained and sliced
- Fresh basil leaves: 1 handful (about 20 g), torn or chopped
- Heavy cream: 200 ml (3/4 cup plus 1 tbsp)
- Parmesan cheese: 50 g (1/2 cup), freshly grated
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1/2 tsp
- Chili flakes: 1/2 tsp, optional
- Salt and black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken:
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté the onion for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the sauce:
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, and chili flakes if using. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add cream and cheese:
- Reduce heat to low. Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Combine pasta and chicken:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, along with the drained pasta. Toss to coat everything in the sauce.
- Finish and serve:
- Stir in the fresh basil, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and heat through for 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and Parmesan if desired.
Pin Recipe This pasta quickly became a family favorite that everyone requests on cozy evenings. The kids love twirling their noodles, and it's one of the few dishes we all truly enjoy together.
Required Tools
Large pot, large skillet, wooden spoon or spatula, chefs knife, cutting board, colander
Allergen Information
Contains milk from cream and Parmesan cheese, and wheat from pasta. May have traces of nuts or soy. Always read product ingredient labels if allergic.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 620. Total Fat: 27 g. Carbohydrates: 58 g. Protein: 38 g per serving.
Pin Recipe Finish your plate with a touch of fresh basil and extra Parmesan for a meal that tastes restaurant-quality at home.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I substitute the chicken with other proteins?
Yes, shrimp or sautéed mushrooms work well as alternatives, maintaining the dish’s balance of flavors and textures.
- → What pasta types work best with this sauce?
Penne, fettuccine, or other tubular or ribbon pastas are ideal as they hold the creamy tomato sauce well.
- → How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner?
Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed, or simmer longer uncovered to reduce and thicken it.
- → Is it possible to make this dairy-free?
Replace heavy cream with a plant-based alternative and omit Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese substitute.
- → What herbs complement fresh basil in this dish?
Dried oregano and chili flakes add depth and a subtle spicy note that complement the fresh basil beautifully.