Mozzarella Chicken Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes comes together in 30 minutes. Tender chicken is mixed with fresh spinach and herbs, sun-dried tomatoes and a creamy sauce over your favorite pasta. 

I recently realized how much I love sun-dried tomatoes in pasta dishes. It all happened back when I made this Pesto Pasta with Green Beans, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Toasted Pine Nuts for my friends and we all were raving about the dish for weeks to come. Well that happened again with this Mozzarella Chicken Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes and I am hooked.

There is something about those sweet, salty little sun-dried tomatoes that just adds a brightness and a lot of flavor to dishes. I think it also works really well with cheese and a creamy sauce. All of it comes together and really coats the chicken and pasta in just the right way.  Mozzarella Chicken Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes also uses fresh basil and parsley to finish off the dish. You can’t beat a few handfuls of fresh herbs!

After making this dish I realized that it came together in 30 minutes. I love meals like that because it means less time in the kitchen, especially during the week. If you dice your chicken ahead of time you will save yourself even more time.

If you want to make this dish a little bit healthier use whole wheat pasta and substitute milk for the cream.  When using milk in sauces you tend to get a less creamy sauce so keep that in mind. As summer approaches I like to have quick, easy and flavor packed meals in my back pocket. The last thing I want to be doing after a day at the park or pool is stand over a stove cooking all night.

Today’s Mozzarella Chicken Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes is for my pasta, cheese loving people. You can’t go wrong with a creamy, cheesy sauce paired with your favorite pasta!

Yield: 6

Mozzarella Chicken Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes

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Mozzarella Chicken Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes comes together in 30 minutes. Tender chicken is mixed with fresh spinach and herbs, sun-dried tomatoes and a creamy sauce over your favorite pasta.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 oz. pasta of your choice {I think the medium to larger pastas work great in this recipe}
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 oz. sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 lb. chicken tenders, cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper {more or less for spice},
• 1/2 cup half and half {or cream}
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups spinach, tightly packed
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped

Garnishes:

• Mozzarella cheese
• Crushed red pepper
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package. Once the pasta is done cooking reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Rinse the pasta under cold water and set aside.
2. In a small bowl combine the salt, pepper and paprika and rub the chicken tenders with the spices. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet heat the 2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chicken and continue cooking until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
4. Add the crushed red pepper, half and half, shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the chicken and let simmer on low until the sauce thickens up, continuing to stir while it cooks.
5. Add the spinach, fresh basil and parsley, stir and let simmer until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.
6. Toss the pasta into the chicken making sure to coat the pasta with the sauce. Garnish with freshly shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper and more fresh basil and parsley.

Notes

Feel free to use chicken breasts if you prefer.

This dish also tastes great with other cheeses like smoked gouda.

If you want to add additional vegetables try green beans or zucchini.

If you want to cut some of the fat out try milk instead of cream or half and half but it will not be as creamy.

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