Chicken with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce recipe

Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce is a delicious and comforting dish that combines tender chicken with a rich, flavorful sauce. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or an impressive dish to share with guests. Let’s dive into the details of how to make this delightful meal.

Ingredients

To make Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce, you’ll need:

• Essential Ingredients:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
• Optional Additions for Extra Flavor:
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced

Preparation

Prepping the Chicken:

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and basil.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Chopping the Vegetables:

1. While the chicken is browning, chop the sun-dried tomatoes and mince the garlic.

Cooking the Chicken

Browning the Chicken:

1. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Creating the Base:

1. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
2. If using, add the white wine and simmer until reduced by half.

Making the Creamy Sauce

Adding the Cream and Cheese:

1. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine.
2. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.

Incorporating the Sun-Dried Tomatoes:

1. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, ensuring they are evenly distributed in the sauce.

Combining Everything

Mixing Chicken and Sauce:

1. Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it in the creamy sauce.
2. If using, add the fresh spinach and mushrooms, stirring until the spinach wilts and the mushrooms are tender.

Simmering to Perfection:

1. Let the dish simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.

Serving Suggestions

Ideal Side Dishes:

1. Serve with a fresh green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Presentation Tips:

1. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese for a touch of color and flavor.

Storage Tips

Keeping Leftovers Fresh:

1. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions:

1. Reheat gently in a pot over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

Variations

Using Different Meats:

1. Substitute the chicken with turkey, pork, or even shrimp for a different twist on the recipe.

Adding Different Vegetables:

1. Incorporate vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or peas to add variety and nutrition.

Tips for Success

Ensuring the Right Consistency:

1. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or cream to reach the desired consistency.

Balancing the Flavors:

1. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings, adding more oregano, basil, or Parmesan if needed.

FAQs

1. Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes Instead of Sun-Dried?
   • Yes, fresh tomatoes can be used, but the flavor will be slightly different. Sun-dried tomatoes add a unique depth of flavor.
2. How Do I Store Leftovers?
   • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
3. Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?
   • Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Reheat gently before serving.
4. How Do I Adjust the Spiciness?
   • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or more black pepper to increase the spiciness to your preference.
5. Can I Make This Dish Dairy-Free?
   • Yes, substitute the heavy cream with a dairy-free alternative such as coconut milk or almond cream, and use dairy-free cheese.

Conclusion

Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce is a delicious and comforting dish that combines tender chicken with a rich, flavorful sauce. It’s perfect for any occasion and sure to become a family favorite. Try this recipe and enjoy the wonderful flavors of creamy, cheesy goodness!

Yield: 4

Chicken with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce recipe

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Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce is a delicious and comforting dish that combines tender chicken with a rich, flavorful sauce. It's perfect for any occasion and sure to become a family favorite. Try this recipe and enjoy the wonderful flavors of creamy, cheesy goodness!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 750g / 1.5lb chicken thighs OR chicken breast , skinless and boneless
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Black pepper
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes , strips, drained of oil (Note 1)
• 2 tbsp oil from sun dried tomatoes jar (Note 1)
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) white wine (sub chicken broth)
• 3/4 cup (185 ml) chicken broth/stock , low sodium
• 3/4 cup (185 ml) thickened / heavy cream
• 1/3 cup (30g) parmesan, very finely shredded (Note 2)
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard (Note 3)
• 1 cup basil leaves , packed (optional)

Instructions

• Breast: Cut chicken in half horiztonally to form 2 thin steaks.

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil from sun dried tomat jar in a large skillet over high heat.

• Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides - 6 minutes total for thigh or 4 minutes for breast. Remove onto a plate, keep warm.

• Add the garlic and cook for 15 seconds until light golden.

• Add wine. Bring to simmer and scrape the bottom of the skillet to mix all the brown bits into the wine.

• Let the wine simmer for 1 minute or so until the smell of alcohol is gone which means it has evaporated.

• Mix in mustard, then add the chicken broth, cream, parmesan and sun dried tomatoes.

• Bring to simmer, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Stir regularly to dissolve parmesan cheese.

• Taste sauce and add more salt and pepper if needed.

• Stir through basil leaves, then return chicken into pan. Spoon sauce over and simmer 1 minute.

• Serve immediately! Great served over mashed potato, Creamy Mashed Cauliflower or pasta. Or serve with bread on the side to mop up sauce!