Description
A creamy and flavorful Sun-Dried Tomato and Chicken Penne pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts, vibrant broccoli florets, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce, perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 large chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package directions. In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water. Drain the pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for about 5-6 minutes until the chicken is golden and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook briefly to combine flavors.
- Make Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine and let it warm gently. Then add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained penne pasta and broccoli florets. Toss everything gently to coat well with the creamy sauce. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes if you like a hint of heat.
- Serve: Serve the penne warm, optionally topped with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a richer flavor, or rehydrate dry ones before chopping.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less thick.
- You can add fresh parsley or basil as a garnish to enhance freshness.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to your preferred spice level.
- Make sure not to overcook pasta; it should be al dente for the best texture.
