Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe

Enjoy a Chicken Penne Pasta featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh spinach in a rich, creamy sauce. This Pasta Penne specialty fuses Salad Pasta allure with robust Chicken Penne flavor. Savor a Creamy Chicken Pasta dish and Bacon Pasta among top Pasta Dinner Recipes, a Spinach Pasta Good Eat.

I love sharing this recipe because it delivers not only amazing taste but also good nutritional balance. I started with 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips and 12 oz of penne pasta as the base of our chicken penne pasta dish.

I then added 6 slices of chopped bacon and 2 tbsp of olive oil to get a rich flavor, along with a medium onion finely diced and 3 cloves garlic minced for a savory kick. I used 1/2 cup of sun dried tomatoes which bring a tangy note and mixed them with 2 cups fresh spinach so the dish is loaded with vitamins.

The sauce is creamy due to 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken broth, thickened with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning. Salt and pepper to taste finish this good eat recipe that packs lean protein, healthy fats and essential vitamins.

Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I love how the creamy sauce mixes with that tangy burst from the sun dried tomatoes making every bite super flavorful.
2. The crispy bacon bits add an amazing crunch and a rich, salty taste that I just can’t get enough of.
3. The perfectly cooked chicken and penne pasta together provide a comforting, hearty meal that always reminds me of home.
4. Adding fresh spinach makes it feel a bit healthier and gives a pop of color that makes the dish look as good as it tastes.

I whip up this Chicken Penne Pasta with bacon, spinach, and a creamy tomato sauce and it’s honestly one of my favorite dishes. The mix of flavors feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, and even though the recipe sounds fancy, it’s actually pretty simple to whip together in my kitchen. Sometimes I mess up a step or two, but that only makes it feel more like a dish made with love, ya know?

Ingredients

• Chicken is high protein and low fat; it soaks up flavors wonderfully.
• Penne Pasta delivers carbohydrates for energy; its firm texture fills each bite.
• Bacon gives a smoky salty crunch that enhances the dish, but use in moderation.
• Sun dried tomatoes add tangy sweetness and vitamins, boosting both color and taste.
• Spinach is full of fiber and vitamins; its mild earthy flavor brightens up the sauce.
• Heavy cream delivers a rich, smooth texture that makes the pasta extra creamy.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes (in oil, drained and roughly chopped)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the 12 oz penne pasta until it’s al dente; then drain it and set it aside.

2. In a big skillet, fry the 6 chopped slices of bacon over medium heat until they get nice and crispy; remove them from the pan and keep ’em aside.

3. Season your 1 lb chicken breast strips with salt and pepper, then add 2 tbsp olive oil to the same skillet and cook the chicken until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

4. Add the finely diced medium onion to the chicken, and stir it around until it turns soft and translucent.

5. Toss in the 3 minced garlic cloves with the onion and chicken, stirring for about 1 minute until it smells awesome.

6. Mix in 1/2 cup of chopped sun dried tomatoes and let them cook for another minute, then add 2 cups of fresh spinach and stir until the spinach wilts.

7. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken broth, sprinkle in 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, and let everything simmer for 2-3 minutes.

8. Stir 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until it melts and thickens a bit.

9. Return the crispy bacon to the skillet and then add the drained penne pasta, tossing everything together so the pasta is coated in that creamy, flavorful sauce.

10. Taste the dish and adjust salt and pepper if needed, then serve it hot and enjoy your Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot for boiling the pasta
2. Colander to drain the pasta
3. Big skillet to fry bacon and cook chicken
4. Cutting board for chopping bacon, onions, and garlic
5. Sharp kitchen knife to cut through chicken and veggies
6. Measuring cups and spoons so you can get the cream, broth, and seasonings exactly right
7. Wooden spoon or spatula to stir everything together

Hope this helps ya get everything prepped and ready!

FAQ

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have chicken breasts handy, try using turkey cutlets or even firm tofu if you’re aiming for a meatless version.
• Not in the mood for penne? Fusilli or rotini are awesome alternatives since they really capture all the creamy sauce.
• Bacon not your thing or simply running low? Pancetta or smoked sausage can give a similar savory flavor, or you can omit it entirely and amp up the herbs instead.
• No heavy cream available? Half-and-half works in a pinch or even coconut cream if you don’t mind a slight twist in flavor.
• Missing out on Parmesan cheese? Asiago or Romano cheese are good swaps to get that salty, cheesy kick in your pasta.

Pro Tips

1. You can let the chicken sit at room temp for about 15 minutes before cooking so it cooks more evenly, and this helps keep it juicy
2. Try using the bacon fat to saute the onions instead of always using olive oil, it adds an extra kick of flavor that really makes the dish pop
3. Make sure you add the garlic and sun dried tomatoes later on in the cooking process so they dont get burnt and lose their flavor
4. When you add the cream and broth, lower the heat so it simmers gently like a cool stream, that way the sauce thickens properly without curdling