Make this flavor packed Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta in just 20 minutes - and don't be surprised if everyone asks for seconds! It's a delicious flavor combo of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika & oregano - achieved with pantry staple dried herbs & minimal prep.
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You know I love a good Creamy Chicken Pasta, and this sun dried tomato chicken pasta is one of my favorite pasta recipes. The flavors are amazing, and it's so easy to make thanks to the use of dried herbs. It's almost all pantry ingredients - just add crème fraîche and chicken!
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick - all done in 20 minutes, prep included
- It's easy - just a few simple steps
- Loaded with flavor from sun-dried tomatoes & all those dried herbs
- Crème fraîche lightens it up and makes it less heavy than a cream pasta
- Only dried herbs for a super easy dinner
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Pasta - choose your favorite kind
- Crème fraîche can be swapped for cream (heavy cream, light, or half and half), add some lemon for acidity (1 tablespoon per 1 cup (240 ml))
- Sun-dried tomatoes - I always use the kind that comes in oil. You can use dry as well but then you need to rehydrate them first by covering with hot water and allowing to soak for an hour or more.
- Butter can be swapped for olive oil or other oil
- Chicken thigh filets have much more flavor than chicken breasts - but either works
How to make Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
- Melt butter in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat, then add in the garlic cloves. Sauté for a minute and take care so the garlic doesn't burn.
- Add in the chicken and season with salt and pepper
- Cook for 3-5 minutes until just cooked through. Then remove the chicken and garlic from the pan and set aside for now.
- Now get the pasta cooking in a large pot, and then place the pan back over the heat. Raise the heat to medium-high and add in the tomato paste. Fry for a few minutes.
- Add in all the dried herbs and mix
- Add in crème fraîche
- Mix until the crème fraîche is melted. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to medium, and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the pasta is almost done.
- Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- Stir to combine
- Remove the garlic cloves from the cooked chicken and mix in the chicken
- Drain the pasta, add it to the sauce, and mix well
- Leave on the heat for 2 minutes, then taste test and season with salt & pepper if needed. Top with some dried basil, and serve!
Tips & tricks
- Add some spinach with the pasta for an extra nutrient packed dish
- Add the whole garlic cloves for subtle garlic flavor that's not overpowering - and since it's easy to remove the large pieces you don't need to bite into a piece of garlic either
- Fry the chicken in the same pan you will make the sauce in - otherwise you're missing out on lots of great taste
- Frying the tomato paste deepens the taste - don't skip it!
- Don't overcook the pasta - it will finish cooking in the sauce
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1 minute increments
Recipe FAQ
What can I use instead of crème fraîche?
Instead of crème fraîche you can use cream. If you still want the acidic touch, add some lemon juice as well - about 1 tablespoon 1 cup (240 ml) of cream.
Can I use flavored crème fraîche?
Yes - this recipe is great with flavored crème fraîche, and it makes it even quicker & easier. Try to match the flavors of the recipe and skip the dried herbs and tomato paste.
Can you use sun dried tomatoes for cooking?
Yes, sun dried tomatoes are great for cooking! They're delicious in pasta sauces, frittatas, stuffed in chicken, in salads - and much much more.
More delicious crème fraîche pastas
Love the lighter feel of a crème frîche pasta? Then try these recipes!
- Creamy Chicken Pasta with Feta Cheese & Basil
- Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta
- 15-minute Creme Fraiche Carbonara with Bacon
- Quick & Easy Smoked Salmon Pasta
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta with Crème Fraîche
Print RateServings: 4
Calories: 759kcal
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- ⅔ lb penne pasta cooked 1 minute less than instructed on package
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and slightly crushed, but still in one piece
- 1 lb chicken thigh filets or chicken breasts, cut in bite-size pieces
- ½ teaspoon fine table salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried basil + more to serve (optional)
- 1 tablespoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups crème fraiche
- 1 cups sun-dried tomatoes chopped
Instructions
- Melt the butter over medium heat then add in the garlic and fry for 1 minute.1 tablespoon butter, 2 garlic cloves
- Add in the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until just cooked through, 4-5 minutes. Then remove the chicken and garlic from the pan and set aside for now.1 lb chicken thigh filets, ½ teaspoon fine table salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Start cooking the pasta, and cook it 1 minute less than instructed on the package.⅔ lb penne pasta
- Place the pan back over the heat with the melted butter and chicken juices still in it. Raise the heat to medium-high and add in tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes.2 tablespoon tomato paste
- Add dried basil, paprika powder, onion powder and oregano and mix well.1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon paprika powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Add in the crème fraîche and mix well until the crème fraîche has melted. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to medium, and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes or until you're ready to add in the pasta.2 cups crème fraiche
- Remove the garlic cloves from the chicken, then mix in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and the cooked chicken with the sauce. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce as well. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes.1 cups sun-dried tomatoes, ⅔ lb penne pasta
- Taste test, season if needed with salt and ground black pepper, top with some dried basil, and serve!
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Video
Notes
- Pasta - choose your favorite kind, I like a short kind like penne or fusilli for this recipe
- Sun-dried tomatoes - I always use the kind that comes in oil. You can use dry as well but then you need to rehydrate them first by covering with hot water and allowing to soak for an hour or more.
- Use whole garlic cloves for subtle flavor that's not overpowering - as well as no garlic breath!
- Fry the chicken in the same pan you will make the sauce in - otherwise you're missing out on lots of great taste
- Fry the tomato paste to deepen the flavor
- Don't overcook the pasta - it will finish cooking in the sauce
Storing, freezing and reheating
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days. Freezing: Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months. Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1 minute increments.Nutrition
Calories: 759kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 183mg | Sodium: 550mg | Potassium: 1702mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 2073IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 217mg | Iron: 6mg
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!
Anastasia
Hi! 🙂
I really want to make this recipe, so I’m thinking of dividing it in three. In that case, I will need about 150 ml of creme fraiche, but I only have 60 - 70 ml of creme fraiche. Is there anything I can substitute the rest of the creme fraiche with? I have milk and sour cream in my fridge right now. Thank you for replying:))
Anastasia
Hi, can I use freshly cut tomatoes instead of sundried ones? That’s what I have right now. Thank you for replying:)
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Anastasia! Yes, you could do that - I would add a bit more tomato paste and a bit more salt though (after tasting). Let me know how it turns out! /Emmeline
Noirin
I just made this dish it was loved by all the family including my 2 year old! Just a quick note I added a tiny amount of honey and ginger just to counter the acidity of the tomatoe paste. It's a really easy and tasty dish I will make it again
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Noirin! Happy to hear you liked it! I find the dish is well balanced without any added sugar, I highly recommend you to try it as written next time! /Emmeline
Ana
Hi! 🙂
I’m thinking of making this recipe, and dividing it in three. In that case, I will need about 150 ml creme fraiche, but I think I only have 60 - 70 ml of creme fraiche. Is there anything I can substitute the rest of the creme fraiche with? I have milk and light sour cream in my house right now. Thanks for replying :))
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Ana! You could substitute with milk, the sauce won't be as thick but I think you will be fine as the sauce is pretty thick when made with creme fraiche only. /Emmeline
Sonja
(Looks like there is a typo in the recipe where it says “Meanwhile get Then”.... are we missing a step in the recipe? What are we supposed to do meanwhile?
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you, Sonja! Good catch! You're not supposed to do anything meanwhile, it was just a typo 🙂
Lizet Bowen
Such lovely flavors! I love how easy it was to make, and it was so creamy. We will make it again.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Lizet, so happy to hear that!
Beth
This looks so delicious and yummy! My family is going to love this recipe!
Jacqueline and
I love the flavours in this and I always have leftover creme fraiche after making chilli wraps.
Lauren Vavala| Delicious Little Bites
Pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce is one of my favorite combinations ever. This recipe is so perfect!
Gina
Creme fraiche is such a great creamy addition to pasta dishes and so very much underused! Great recipe - we love it in our house for quick and easy dinners!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Totally agree! It adds so much flavor!
love faith more
I love chicken and pasta with a combination of these and additional ingredient flavors it will surely delicious. Thank you for this happy tummy dish.
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting! Yeah I agree there's just something about the chicken pasta combo...
Justyna Butler
The name of your blog is just the best and thi slook sso yummy
Emmeline
Thank you, Justyna! I had such troubles coming up with a name but now I'm very happy with it!
Kay
This looks so delicious. I'm sure it tastes as good as it looks even though it didn't turn out exactly how you initially planned. I would love to try this
Emmeline
Thank you, Kay! Yeah it's actually better than what I planned - love when that happens!
Ana
I'm fond of pasta and your sun-dried tomato chicken pasta looks incredibly delicious! It will be a great hit in my family. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us!
Emmeline
You are so welcome, Ana! Thanks for commenting!
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
I had no idea what crème fraiche was, LOL! DO you know what we could do to make this just a little creamier? SUn-dried tomatoes with a creamy combo are my favorite!
Emmeline
Haha might be more of a European thing! I use it all the time! It actually turns out really creamy with créme fraiche - for me at least - but you could also use cream of course. If you do I'd suggest adding some pasta water at the end with the pasta, so you get that starch and a super creamy sauce. Let me know how it turns out!
Helen Neale
Wow, I have never tried to make this recipe looks really delicious and easy. I will try to make this for my kids, thanks for sharing!
Emmeline
You’re very welcome! Hope they like it!
Clare Minall
My kids would absolutely love these. This would disappear in no time at our house! This is my kind of weekend treat.
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting! That sounds like good kids 😉
Khushboo Motihar
I would love to try making your Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Crème Fraiche with some tofu and fresh veggies! I am sure it would taste exceptional. Loved the wonderful photographs and the detailed instructions
Emmeline
Oh YES that sounds like an amazing twist! Please let me know if you try it & how it turns out!
Maartje van Sandwijk
This looks delicious <3 Definitely made me hungry...
Emmeline
Thank you! Hope you try it!
Rebecca Sanchez
Isn't it wild how sometimes the best meals come from 'oops'es - this one sounds excellent. Anything with crème fraiche has got to be delicious - I am going to try this over the weekend, thank you!
Emmeline
Yeah, so true! Or when you're just throwing stuff together at random and then when you try to recreate it you have no idea what you put in it the first time around... Thanks for commenting, so happy you liked it!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
I'm mad about creme fraiche, from living in France as there was no proper cream. This dish looks so comforting and will be on my Friday night list!
Emmeline
Ah yes creme fraiche is the best! Let me know if you try this! And thanks for commenting 😀
Beth Neels
Sometimes we find the best dishes by accident, in the kitchen! Thank God your found this one! I can't wait to try it!
Emmeline
Right?! It was an instant favorite and I know I'll be cooking it for years to come! So glad you liked it as well!
Traci
I absolutely LOVE chicken with sundried tomatoes and pasta! What a gorgeous recipe...especially with Crème Fraiche...bonus!!
Emmeline
So glad you liked it! Yep creme fraiche is soo good I love it!
Sues
This is my kind of pasta dish!! Creme fraiche is sooo good in everything and especially with intense flavors like sundried tomatoes. Yum!!
Emmeline
Creme fraiche is definitely my go to for creaming stuff up! Thanks for commenting and glad you liked it 🙂
Sharon Chen
I love pasta and this recipe looks really delicious!
Des
I love how creamy this dish comes out. Perfect for any night of the week when you are craving a delicious comforting dish.
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting! Yeah I was really happy with it - constant cravings for it now haha.