Description
This comforting and vibrant pasta dish strikes the perfect balance between home-style comfort food and restaurant-quality flair. Featuring tender, smoked paprika-seasoned chicken breast tossed with chewy sun-dried tomatoes and a rich, silky mozzarella cream sauce, it is a family-favorite meal that comes together in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
8 oz macaroni or penne pasta
1 lb chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz sun-dried tomatoes (without oil), sliced into small chunks
1 cup half-and-half (or 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1/2 cup heavy cream)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/3 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserving 1/3 cup of pasta water before draining.
Season the chicken pieces with salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through.
Stir in the half-and-half, oregano, and red pepper flakes, allowing the sauce to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
Lower the heat, add the shredded mozzarella, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet, tossing well to coat in the creamy sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving warm.
Notes
Ensure you reserve the pasta water, as the starch helps the mozzarella sauce emulsify and cling perfectly to the noodles. If you prefer a lighter version, skim milk can be used, though the sauce will be thinner.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg