Irresistibly Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta with Creme Fraiche

Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta is a dish that can turn any regular dinner into something special.

The flavors in this meal come from the sunny Mediterranean, bringing a mix of rich and tangy tastes to your table.

People who love cooking enjoy how tender chicken blends with a smooth sauce and the deep taste of sun-dried tomatoes.

Using creme fraiche along with other tasty ingredients makes this pasta feel like it came from a fancy restaurant, while still being comforting.

Bright colors and fragrant herbs make it pleasing to both look at and eat.

If you adore pasta, you’ll find this dish an exciting mix of textures and flavors that’s hard to resist.

Helpful Hints For Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta With Creme Fraiche

• Boost Garlic Flavor: Crush garlic cloves instead of mincing to release more intense, robust aromatics that deeply infuse the sauce.
• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Slightly undercook pasta during initial boiling since it will continue cooking when mixed with the hot sauce, ensuring perfect al dente texture.
• Enhance Cream Consistency: Temper crème fraîche by slowly adding hot sauce while stirring constantly to prevent curdling and maintain smooth, silky sauce.
• Select Quality Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Choose oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for richer flavor and softer texture compared to dry-packaged varieties.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with shrimp, turkey, or tofu to create versatile meal adaptations that suit different dietary preferences and protein needs.

Keep Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta With Creme Fraiche Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta and sauce together for maximum flavor preservation.
• Cool Down: Let the dish reach room temperature before sealing to prevent condensation and soggy texture.
• Refrigerator Storage: Safely keep the pasta in the fridge for 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious taste and creamy consistency.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.

What Goes Best With Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta With Creme Fraiche

• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Its bright acidity and herbal notes perfectly cut through the creamy richness of the sun-dried tomato sauce, creating a balanced and refreshing taste experience.
• Complement with Garlic Bread: Toasted, buttery slices will soak up the luxurious sauce, adding a crunchy texture and enhancing the garlic undertones in the dish.
• Match with Arugula Salad: A light, peppery green salad with lemon vinaigrette will provide a fresh contrast to the creamy pasta, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Serve with Parmesan Crisp: Create a delicate, cheesy garnish that adds a sophisticated crunch and deepens the umami flavors of the sun-dried tomato and chicken combination.

Fun Variations Of Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta With Creme Fraiche

• Gluten-Free Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative that maintains the creamy sauce's rich flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Adaptation: Swap crème fraîche with full-fat coconut cream and use olive oil instead of butter to create a lactose-free option that preserves the dish's creaminess.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, seared until golden and seasoned similarly to keep the recipe's original essence and protein content.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Enhance the recipe by adding fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and a splash of white wine to elevate the sauce's complexity and introduce Mediterranean coastal flavors.

Common Questions On Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta With Creme Fraiche

• Why use crème fraîche in this pasta dish?

Crème fraîche adds a luxurious, rich, and tangy flavor that creates a smooth, velvety sauce without curdling like heavy cream might when heated.

• Can I make this recipe spicier?

Absolutely! Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce for extra heat. Start with a small amount and adjust to your spice preference.

• Is this dish good for meal prep?

Yes! This pasta keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually develop and become more intense overnight, making it a great option for preparing ahead of time.

• How can I make this recipe more budget-friendly?

Replace sun-dried tomatoes with regular canned tomatoes, use regular cream instead of crème fraîche, and choose less expensive chicken cuts like thighs instead of breasts to reduce overall cost.

Why Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta With Creme Fraiche Feels Fancy

• Whip Up Weeknight Comfort: This creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta delivers deliciousness with minimal effort.
• Speedy Cooking Solution: Prepare a gourmet-style meal in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality flavors without extensive preparation.
• Versatile Family Pleaser: Customize the dish by adding extra vegetables or swapping chicken with shrimp, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires common pantry staples and creates a rich, satisfying meal without complicated shopping or complex techniques, ideal for stress-free cooking experiences.

Everything Inside Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta With Creme Fraiche

• Chicken: Lean protein that gives the dish substance and richness.
• Crème Fraîche: Smooth, creamy base that adds luxurious texture to the sauce.

• Pasta: Comforting carbohydrate that absorbs the delicious sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intense, concentrated flavor that brings a tangy sweetness.
• Tomato Paste: Deep, rich tomato flavor that provides sauce depth.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds robust and pungent flavor.
• Dried Basil, Oregano: Classic herbs that enhance Mediterranean taste profile.
• Paprika, Onion Powder: Warm spices that provide subtle background complexity.

• Butter: Rich fat that helps develop sauce and provides smooth cooking base.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

How To Cook Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta With Creme Fraiche

Step 1: Sizzle Garlic & Chicken

Heat butter in a skillet over medium flame. Toss in minced garlic and let it dance for a minute until fragrant. Add chicken pieces, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and perfectly done, about 4-5 minutes. Scoop out chicken and garlic, set aside on a plate.

Step 2: Pasta Magic

Boil water in a separate pot. Drop pasta and cook just shy of package instructions – about 1 minute less for that perfect al dente texture.

Step 3: Sauce Creation

Return skillet to medium-high heat. Swirl in tomato paste and let it caramelize for 1-2 minutes, releasing deep flavors.

Step 4: Flavor Explosion

• Dried basil
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Oregano

Pour in crème fraîche and stir until smooth. Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 3-5 minutes.

Step 5: Bringing It Together

• Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• Cooked chicken pieces

Drain pasta and mix into the luscious sauce. Let everything mingle and heat through for 2 minutes.

Step 6: Final Touch

Taste and adjust seasonings. Dust with extra dried basil. Serve piping hot and enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta with Creme Fraiche delivers Mediterranean comfort in one luxurious dish. Rich herbed sauce and tender chicken create a restaurant-quality meal home cooks can easily master.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken thighs or chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)
• ⅔ lb (0.3 kg) penne pasta (cooked 1 minute less than package instructions)
• 2 cups creme fraiche
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)

Spices and Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon fine table salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried basil (+ more for serving, optional)
• 1 tablespoon paprika powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic (peeled and slightly crushed)

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Instructions

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, releasing its rich aroma while gently sautéing minced garlic until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden.
2. Introduce chicken pieces to the pan, seasoning with salt and pepper, then cook thoroughly until the meat turns opaque and develops a light golden exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Simultaneously prepare pasta in a separate pot, cooking it slightly less than package recommendations to maintain an al dente texture.
4. Reactivate the skillet with residual butter and chicken drippings, incorporating tomato paste and allowing it to caramelize and intensify its flavor profile.
5. Infuse the developing sauce with dried basil, paprika, onion powder, and oregano, creating a complex flavor foundation before stirring in smooth crème fraîche.
6. Gently fold chopped sun-dried tomatoes and previously cooked chicken into the creamy sauce, allowing flavors to meld and integrate.
7. Drain pasta and introduce it directly into the sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure each strand is lavishly coated with the rich, aromatic mixture.
8. Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings as needed, then garnish with an additional sprinkle of dried basil for a vibrant finishing touch.
9. Serve immediately while the dish maintains its optimal temperature and creamy consistency.

Notes

• Optimize garlic flavor by lightly crushing cloves before sautéing, releasing more aromatic compounds and intensifying the overall taste profile.
• Choose high-quality crème fraîche for maximum creaminess, ensuring smooth texture and rich flavor throughout the sauce.
• Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by cooking it slightly underdone, allowing it to finish absorbing sauce during final combining step.
• Accommodate dietary needs by substituting chicken with plant-

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 710
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg