Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz short cut pasta (bow tie recommended)
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking Fats
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil (divided)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Vegetables & Flavorings
- 8 oz baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
To Serve
- Fresh basil leaves
- Additional parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well but do not rinse it to preserve starch for better sauce adherence.
- Prep Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner pieces for even cooking. Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive or avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Using the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the butter. Once melted, add the sliced mushrooms. Stir to coat, then let mushrooms cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes until most liquid evaporates and they develop a nice sear.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Garlic: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic. Cook together for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and milk. Bring to a gentle boil, then stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Simmer the sauce for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Dice Chicken: While the sauce simmers, dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss Pasta and Chicken in Sauce: Add the drained pasta and diced chicken to the skillet. Stir gently to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Do not rinse pasta after boiling to ensure the sauce sticks better.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy burst of flavor; use the kind preserved in oil for best richness.
- Cooking mushrooms undisturbed helps them brown nicely instead of steaming.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end, especially since parmesan cheese adds saltiness.
- Use fresh basil for a fragrant, fresh finishing touch.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian