Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken (Rich, Cozy & Restaurant-Style)

A silky, savory chicken dish with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

 Time

• Prep: 10–15 minutes
• Cook: 25–30 minutes
• Total: ~40 minutes

 Ingredients (4 servings)

 Chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil

 Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, chopped)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried basil or Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil (from sun-dried tomato jar is ideal)

 Optional Add-ins

• 1 cup spinach (fresh)
• Red pepper flakes (for heat)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

 Instructions

1. Season & sear chicken

Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside (it doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet).

2. Build the flavor base

In the same pan, add butter and garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds.
Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1–2 minutes.

3. Make the creamy sauce

Pour in chicken broth and stir, scraping up browned bits.
Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning until smooth.

4. Finish cooking chicken

Return chicken to the pan.
Simmer 8–10 minutes until fully cooked and sauce thickens.

5. Add greens (optional)

Stir in spinach until wilted.
Adjust salt, pepper, and add chili flakes if desired.

 Serving Ideas

• Over fettuccine or penne pasta
• With mashed potatoes
• With rice or cauliflower rice
• With crusty bread to soak up sauce

 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

• Calories: 450–550 kcal
• Protein: 35–45g
• Fat: 30–38g
• Carbs: 6–10g (without pasta/rice)

 ALLERGEN INFO

Contains:

• Dairy: heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, butter
• None: nuts (naturally nut-free recipe)

Cross-contact note:

• Sun-dried tomatoes in jars may be processed in facilities that also handle nuts (check label if allergy-sensitive)

Nut-free safety rating:

✔️ Naturally nut-free recipe (safe for most nut-free diets when using certified ingredients)

 Q&A

Q1: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes—thighs stay juicier and add more flavor.

Q2: Can I make it lighter?

Yes:

• Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or evaporated milk
• Use less Parmesan
• Add extra broth to thin the sauce

Q3: Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes:

• Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream
• Use dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast
  (Flavor will change slightly but still rich)

Q4: Can I meal prep this?

Yes—stores well for 3–4 days in the fridge. Reheat gently to avoid sauce separation.

Q5: Can I freeze it?

Yes, but cream sauces may slightly separate. Reheat slowly and stir well.

Q6: What makes this dish special?

The sun-dried tomatoes + garlic + Parmesan create a deep, savory-sweet balance that feels like a restaurant dish but is simple at home.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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