There’s something about a rich, velvety sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and tender chicken that just hits differently. This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe brings all those flavors dancing together in one satisfying dish you’ll want on repeat.

This image shows a close-up of creamy penne pasta mixed with pieces of light brown chicken and bits of red sun-dried tomatoes. The pasta is coated in a smooth, slightly orange sauce with visible black pepper specks and green chopped herbs on top. A wooden spoon is lifting a portion of pasta, showing the sauce’s creamy texture and the pasta's curved tube shape. The dish is in a white pan with a soft focus on the marbled white background underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe quickly became one of my go-to meals because it balances richness with tang perfectly, and it’s surprisingly easy to pull off on any weeknight.

Flavor Explosion: The sun-dried tomatoes give the sauce a tangy sweetness that plays beautifully with savory chicken and Parmesan.
Creamy Comfort: The sauce is so silky thanks to the half-and-half and butter, but it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy.
Simple Ingredients: Most of these are pantry staples or easy to find, making it approachable but impressive.
Customizable: It’s flexible enough to swap pasta shapes, add veggies, or tweak spices to suit your taste.

The image shows a large white pot filled with creamy penne pasta mixed with small, light brown pieces of chicken and bits of sun-dried tomatoes. The sauce is thick and orange-cream colored, coating every piece of pasta and chicken. Fresh green basil leaves and chopped parsley are sprinkled on top, adding bright color. A wooden spoon is partly stirring the pasta on the right side of the pot. The pot sits on a white marbled surface, and around it are small bowls, one containing shredded white cheese and another with red chili flakes, with fresh green basil leaves placed nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a role in creating that irresistible creamy, slightly tangy sauce with juicy chicken bites. Having quality sun-dried tomatoes with their oil reserved really amps up the flavor, and fresh Parmesan makes all the difference.

Flat lay of two medium raw chicken breasts with smooth pale pink skin, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, a small white bowl of onion powder, a small white bowl of garlic powder, a small white bowl of smoked paprika, a small white bowl of olive oil with golden-green sheen, a simple white plate piled with uncooked penne pasta, a small white bowl holding two tablespoons of unsalted butter, one large shallot with purple and white layers peeled and chopped next to a small white bowl of minced fresh garlic cloves, a small white bowl of red pepper flakes, a small white bowl of white flour, a small white bowl of deep red tomato paste, a simple white bowl filled with light golden chicken broth, a simple white bowl of creamy half and half, a small white bowl of roughly chopped sun-dried tomatoes with a glossy deep red appearance, a small white bowl of crushed chicken bouillon powder, a small white bowl containing mixed dried parsley, basil, and oregano herbs, a small white bowl of freshly grated Parmesan cheese with fine texture, and fresh sprigs of green parsley and basil scattered to the side, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Tenderized thin for quick, even cooking and the perfect vehicle for those spices.
Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika: Simple seasonings that build the mellow savory base for the chicken.
Olive oil: Using the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes adds rich, deep flavor when cooking the chicken.
Penne pasta: Holds the creamy sauce wonderfully with its tubes catching every bite.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps build the sauce’s silky texture.
Shallot (or onion powder): Provides a subtle sweetness and depth without overpowering.
Garlic: Essential aromatic for that warm, fragrant touch.
Red pepper flakes: Just a hint of heat to balance the creaminess and tang.
Flour: Thickens the sauce to just the right consistency.
Tomato paste: Adds concentrated umami and richness to the sauce base.
Chicken broth: Deepens the savory note and thins the sauce to a pourable finish.
Half and half (or milk with cornstarch): For creaminess without heaviness, and cornstarch helps it thicken beautifully if you go the milk route.
Sun-dried tomatoes (oil reserved): Tangy bursts of flavor that truly make this recipe sing.
Chicken bouillon: Intensifies the savory depth of the sauce for that restaurant-quality finish.
Dried parsley, basil, oregano: Classic Italian herbs adding fragrance and balance.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is non-negotiable here—it melts into the sauce and adds that salty, nutty perfect touch.
Fresh parsley or basil (optional): Brightens the dish and adds a fresh herbal note on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I enjoy most about this Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe is how forgiving it is. Don’t hesitate to experiment and make it your own—whether it’s switching pasta shapes or adding veggies for extra color and crunch.

Variation: Sometimes I swap penne for farfalle or rigatoni to change the texture; both work great! Adding fresh spinach or baby kale late in the sauce cooks down beautifully and adds a healthy twist.
Dairy-Free Option: I’ve had success using coconut milk mixed with a bit of cornstarch instead of half and half, which keeps the creaminess but suits dairy-sensitive folks.
Heat Lovers: Up the red pepper flakes or dash some cayenne for a little kick if you enjoy spicy food.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Tenderize the Chicken

I slice each chicken breast in half through the middle so I end up with four thinner fillets. Then I cover them with plastic wrap and gently pound them out with a meat mallet or even the side of a sturdy can. This step ensures the chicken cooks evenly and stays juicy—plus, it’s way easier to eat nestled in that sauce.

Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken

I whisk together a simple blend of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika, then pat it all over each chicken fillet after drying them and drizzling with olive oil. Using the oil reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes to cook the chicken really elevates the flavor, so make sure to keep that handy. Cook the chicken over medium-high heat until golden, about 4-5 minutes per side, then set it aside to rest.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics and Build the Sauce

Using the same pan—don’t wipe it out!—I melt butter in the flavorful drippings and toss in chopped shallots to soften. After a few minutes, I add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, then stir in tomato paste and flour to form a thick base. It smells like heaven! Slowly whisk in chicken broth and half and half, stirring gently to avoid lumps, then add sun-dried tomatoes and seasonings. Simmer until the sauce thickens to a luxuriously creamy consistency.

Step 4: Finish with Parmesan, Chicken, and Pasta

Lower the heat and gradually stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese—it melts down silky and adds that savory punch. Then fold in your cooked pasta and sliced chicken, tossing everyone together gently. If the sauce feels too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time to get it just right. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Top Tip

Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that really make a difference with this recipe. Since the sauce can thicken while resting, adding reserved pasta water helps keep it perfectly creamy without watering down the flavors.

Reserved Pasta Water: The starch in the pasta water helps bind the sauce and pasta, making it cling better.
Don’t Skip Resting the Chicken: Letting the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes keeps it juicy and tender inside.
Freshly Grated Parmesan: Using a microplane grater gets cheese that melts seamlessly without clumping.
Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: Save this oil for cooking the chicken—it’s a simple boost that transforms the dish's flavor.

How to Serve Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top the finished pasta with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil to brighten each bite and add a lovely pop of green. If you like, a touch of extra Parmesan on top can never hurt either!

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some garlic roasted asparagus. For bread lovers, crusty Italian bread or garlic knots are perfect for mopping up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this pasta in individual shallow bowls garnished with edible flowers or a delicate drizzle of basil oil. A crisp white wine alongside rounds out a cozy yet elegant dinner vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it rests, so I like to add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water when reheating to bring back that creamy texture.

Freezing

This dish freezes nicely if you want to prep ahead. I freeze the pasta and sauce combined in portioned containers. When thawing, warming gently on the stove with a bit of liquid stirred in helps it return to luscious creaminess without separating.

Reheating

I reheat Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe over low-medium heat, stirring often to prevent the sauce from sticking or breaking. Adding a bit of milk or chicken broth keeps the sauce smooth and inviting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What can I substitute for half-and-half in this recipe?

You can substitute half-and-half with whole milk mixed with a tablespoon of cornstarch or use evaporated milk with cornstarch for a similar creamy texture. Coconut milk works well for a dairy-free version. Just whisk your choice of milk with cornstarch to achieve that thick, creamy sauce we want.

Can I use other types of pasta?

Absolutely! Penne works great because it holds the sauce, but feel free to use rigatoni, fusilli, farfalle, or even spaghetti depending on what you have on hand—just make sure to cook it until al dente for the best texture.

How do I avoid the sauce separating?

To prevent sauce separation, avoid boiling the cream once added and keep the heat moderate during simmering and reheating. Adding cheese gradually and stirring constantly helps it melt smoothly. Also, using reserved pasta water or milk to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much can help maintain the perfect consistency.

Can I add vegetables to this pasta dish?

Definitely! I love tossing in fresh spinach or baby kale just before finishing the sauce. Roasted red peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini also complement the creamy sun-dried tomato flavors well. Just add veggies according to their cooking times to ensure they're tender but still vibrant.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of those meals I crave when I want something comforting but still fresh and flavorful. The balance between tangy sun-dried tomatoes, rich Parmesan, and tender chicken makes it an all-time crowd-pleaser in my kitchen. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—you’ll end up with a delicious dish that feels like a little celebration on your plate every time.