Description
Irresistible chicken tomato pasta blends Italian culinary tradition with simple home cooking techniques. Fresh ingredients and quick preparation make this dish perfect for weeknight dinners you can enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 medium chicken breasts, diced
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) penne pasta
- 400 grams (14 ounces) canned diced tomatoes
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water at a rolling boil for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender. Carefully extract and preserve 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Sear chicken pieces in a heated skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Cook until exterior turns golden and interior reaches 165°F, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and sauté onions until they become translucent and slightly caramelized. Introduce minced garlic and quickly toast for 30-45 seconds to release aromatic oils.
- Pour diced tomatoes into the skillet, incorporating tomato paste and dried herbs. Allow sauce to simmer and reduce for 5-6 minutes, concentrating flavors and thickening slightly.
- Gently incorporate heavy cream, creating a luxurious sauce. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to ensure even coating and warming through.
- Introduce cooked pasta directly into the sauce, gradually adding reserved pasta water to achieve desired sauce consistency and help sauce adhere to noodles.
- Finish the dish by generously sprinkling freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garnishing with chopped parsley for brightness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta by setting a timer and checking texture to avoid overcooking, which can make the dish mushy.
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and golden exterior, preventing raw spots or uneven browning.
- Select ripe, fresh tomatoes or high-quality canned tomatoes for maximum flavor depth and authentic sauce richness.
- Adjust cream and pasta water quantities based on desired sauce thickness, creating a personalized creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg