Get ready to indulge in a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner. This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken with vibrant sun-dried tomatoes in a rich, velvety sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Let’s get cooking!
Steps
- Chicken Cutlets with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce: Slice chicken breasts in half to create cutlets. Sauté the chicken in oil from sun-dried tomatoes, then prepare a cream sauce incorporating the tomatoes for added flavor.
- Roasted Chickpea & Cauliflower Pitas: Dry chickpeas thoroughly to ensure they roast to a crispy texture. Combine with roasted cauliflower and spices, then serve in pitas with lettuce or arugula.
- Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce: Use sun-dried tomato oil to form the base of the cream sauce. Let the hot pasta wilt fresh spinach for a quick and tasty meal.
- Marry Me Chickpeas: Replace chicken with chickpeas in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Consider substituting with white beans for a different twist on texture and flavor.
- One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo: Toast orzo before adding broth to deepen flavor. Substitute spinach with kale or Swiss chard, but adjust cooking time for heartier greens.
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Chicken Pasta Bake: Use rotisserie chicken and sun-dried tomatoes to quickly prepare a rich pasta bake. Reduce sodium by using homemade shredded chicken instead.
- Spiced Couscous-Stuffed Peppers: Fill roasted peppers with a couscous and lentil mixture. Top with cucumber yogurt sauce for added freshness and flavor.
- Penne with Zucchini & Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sauté zucchini until caramelized and combine with penne and sun-dried tomatoes. This dish pays homage to traditional Italian flavors.
- Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato & Cucumber Sandwich: Layer hummus, crisp vegetables, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes on bread. Use oil-packed tomatoes for ease or rehydrate dry ones before use.
- Broccoli & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad: Cook broccoli with pasta, then mix with sun-dried tomatoes and lemon zest. This vibrant salad is easy to prepare and clean up.
- Slow-Cooker Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Bake: Combine sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and vegetables in a slow cooker for an effortless meal. Swap sun-dried tomato pesto with basil pesto for variation.
- White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi: Use sun-dried tomatoes for their rich flavor and texture. Pair with spinach to boost the dish’s nutritional value.
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Soup with Ravioli: Prepare a quick soup using the oil from sun-dried tomatoes. If using dry tomatoes, soak them first to soften.
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Egg Bites: Make tangy egg bites with sun-dried tomatoes and feta. Enhance with garlic and fresh herbs, and store for later use.
- Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Spinach & Roasted Red Pepper Sauce: Serve chicken cutlets with a creamy spinach and red pepper sauce over pasta. This simple recipe is perfect for busy nights.
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella Quiche: Combine sun-dried tomatoes with fresh mozzarella in a quiche. Drain oil-packed tomatoes well before adding.
- Salmon with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce: Use sun-dried tomato oil to sauté shallots and create a flavorful cream sauce. Serve with salmon for a quick dinner.
- Cabbage Steaks with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce: Roast cabbage slices and cover with a sun-dried tomato sauce. Arrange larger pieces on the baking sheet’s edges for even cooking.
- Shrimp with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce: Sauté shrimp in tomato oil and use the tomatoes in a cream sauce. This dish is inspired by a chicken cutlet recipe.
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Casserole: Add crushed red pepper for spice in this vegetarian dish. Use jarred or homemade roasted peppers for convenience.
- Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Dip: Cook and serve this creamy dip with roasted peppers in the same skillet. Pair with crackers or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Ingredients
- Chicken cutlets
- Jar of sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed
- Fresh spinach
- Chickpeas, canned or cooked
- Cauliflower
- Pita bread
- Bibb lettuce or arugula
- Garam masala or shawarma spice blend (optional)
- Spaghetti or other pasta
- White beans, canned or cooked (e.g., cannellini or navy)
- Orzo pasta
- Fresh lemon juice
- Feta cheese
- Rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
- Broccoli florets
- Lemon zest
- Sun-dried tomato pesto or basil pesto
- Gnocchi
- Ravioli
- Eggs
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- Salmon fillet
- Cabbage
- Shrimp
- Roasted red peppers, jarred or homemade
- Crushed red pepper
- Crackers, toasted bread, or fresh-cut veggies (for serving the dip)
FAQ
- What are some common uses for sun-dried tomatoes in recipes?
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salad dressings, pasta sauces, sandwiches, and casseroles, adding a rich, tangy flavor to each.
- Can I substitute oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes with dry-packed ones in recipes?
- Yes, you can substitute dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, but you’ll need to rehydrate them in water before using to soften their texture.
- How can I ensure chickpeas crisp up well when roasting for a recipe?
- To ensure chickpeas become crispy when roasting, make sure to dry them thoroughly before placing them in the oven. This helps prevent steam, which can hinder crispiness.
- What alternatives can be used if I don’t have spinach for a sun-dried tomato pasta dish?
- You can use other dark leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard. However, these may require a bit more cooking time to wilt properly.
- How can I reduce the sodium content in a creamy sun-dried tomato pasta bake?
- To lower the sodium content, consider cooking and shredding your own chicken instead of using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
- What is a simple way to enhance the flavor of a sun-dried tomato soup?
- Using the oil from oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes to sauté ingredients can significantly enhance the flavor of the soup without adding extra steps.
Tips
- Utilize the Oil from Sun-Dried Tomatoes: When using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, incorporate the flavorful oil into your cooking. It can serve as a base for sautéing ingredients or enhance the creaminess of sauces.
- Ensure Chickpeas Are Dry Before Roasting: For recipes that involve roasting chickpeas, make sure they are thoroughly dried. This will help them become crispy and prevent them from steaming, which could hinder the browning of accompanying ingredients like cauliflower.
- Rehydrate Dry-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes: If using dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrate them in hot water before use. This step ensures they soften and are easier to incorporate into dishes such as sandwiches or salads.
- Toast Orzo for Added Flavor: For one-pot pasta dishes, consider toasting orzo before adding broth. This step adds a deeper flavor to the dish and enhances its overall taste profile.
Equipment
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – While not equipment, they are a key ingredient you might need to purchase if you don’t have them at home.
- Food Processor or Blender – For making creamy sauces or dips.
- Slow Cooker – For the Slow-Cooker Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Bake.
- Large Skillet or Cast Iron Skillet – For dishes like Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Dip and other skillet-based recipes.
- Casserole Dish – For baking dishes like Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Casserole.
- Ravioli Cutter or Pasta Maker – If making fresh ravioli for the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Soup with Ravioli.
- Mandoline Slicer – For uniformly slicing vegetables (e.g., for cabbage steaks).
- Pita Bread or Tortilla Press – Useful for making homemade pitas for Roasted Chickpea & Cauliflower Pitas.
- Egg Bite Molds – For making Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Egg Bites in a consistent shape.
- Spice Grinder – If you are making your own spice blends for recipes like Spiced Couscous-Stuffed Peppers.
