Craving a dish that’s creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor? Look no further than Spicy Chicken Creamy Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes! This dish has everything you want—tender chicken, creamy sauce, a kick of heat, and the irresistible depth of sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a perfect balance of creamy and spicy, with an added richness from the tomatoes. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special treat, this pasta will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

If you’re a fan of creamy pasta with a bit of heat, this recipe is made for you! The chicken is perfectly seasoned and seared, while the pasta is coated in a creamy sauce made with garlic, cream, and Parmesan cheese. The sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy richness that pairs beautifully with the heat from the spices. It’s a comforting yet exciting dish that brings a little something extra to your dinner table. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, so you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll need to make this flavorful dish. You’ll find the full list of ingredients below!

Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
Pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your favorite kind)
Heavy cream
Sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
Garlic (minced)
Parmesan cheese (grated)
Red pepper flakes
Olive oil
Butter
Fresh basil (for garnish)
Salt and pepper

Directions

Preparing the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (for that spicy kick!). Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest. After it’s cooled slightly, slice it into thin strips.

Cooking the Pasta

In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package directions. Once the pasta is al dente, drain it and set aside. Reserve a cup of pasta water for later to help with the sauce.

Making the Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet you used to cook the chicken, melt butter and sauté the garlic for about a minute, until it’s fragrant. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring it to a simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Combining the Pasta and Chicken

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it to coat in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency. Add the sliced chicken on top and give everything a final toss to combine.

Serving

Serve the creamy pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese. You can also add a little extra red pepper flakes if you want even more spice.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Customize the heat: If you want to adjust the spice level, you can add more or less red pepper flakes. For an extra spicy kick, throw in a chopped jalapeño along with the garlic!
Make it richer: For a richer sauce, you can replace the heavy cream with half-and-half or add a little cream cheese to thicken the sauce even more.
Add veggies: Toss in some spinach or peas at the end for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Use rotisserie chicken: For a faster version of this dish, you can use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking the chicken breasts from scratch.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: You can use shrimp or even salmon instead of chicken for a seafood twist on this creamy pasta.
Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream or almond milk instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to make the dish dairy-free.
Vegan version: Replace the chicken with mushrooms or plant-based protein, and use a vegan cream and cheese substitute for the sauce.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This creamy, spicy pasta pairs perfectly with a fresh green salad and garlic bread on the side. For a full meal, you can serve it with a simple Caesar salad or a light cucumber and tomato salad to balance out the richness of the dish. A crisp white wine, like Pinot Grigio, or a light red, such as Pinot Noir, would be great options to complement the flavors. For something a bit more refreshing, try serving it with a chilled sparkling water or lemonade.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers (which is highly likely because this dish is so good!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to life. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be sure to stir every 30 seconds to avoid the pasta drying out.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes! Just be sure to thaw it fully before cooking for the best texture. If you’re in a pinch, you can also cook the chicken from frozen, but it will take a bit longer.

2. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store them separately. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat the sauce and toss in the pasta and chicken.

3. Can I use fresh sun-dried tomatoes?
If you can’t find jarred sun-dried tomatoes, fresh ones work too! Just roast them in the oven to intensify their flavor before using them in the sauce.

4. What other pasta can I use for this recipe?
Feel free to swap out the pasta shape for any kind you like—fettuccine, rigatoni, or even spaghetti will all work wonderfully with this creamy sauce.

Conclusion

Spicy Chicken Creamy Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is the perfect balance of creamy richness, spicy heat, and savory flavors. It’s quick to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to satisfy. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing guests with something a little special, this dish is bound to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. So grab your ingredients, get cooking, and enjoy this delicious bowl of comfort food!

Spicy Chicken Creamy Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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Author: Jake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

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Description

This Spicy Chicken Creamy Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a deliciously indulgent dish that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy, flavorful sauce with a spicy kick. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this pasta dish is packed with layers of flavor that everyone will love.

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water. Set aside.
Prepare the Chicken:
1. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside to rest. Once rested, slice the chicken into thin strips.
Make the Sauce:
1. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine the Pasta and Chicken:
1. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
2. Add the sliced chicken and toss again to combine.
Serve:
1. Divide the pasta among plates and garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

For added depth of flavor, try using garlic-infused olive oil when sautéing the chicken.
You can substitute the chicken with shrimp or even grilled vegetables for a variation.
To make this dish spicier, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate of pasta with chicken
Calories: 650
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 53g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 125mg