Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta

Tender chicken breast and penne pasta tossed in a velvety, mild tomato cream sauce with fragrant basil, providing a comforting and easy-to-digest meal.

• Prep: 10 min
• Cook: 20 min
• Total: 30 min
• Servings: 6
• Cuisine: Italian
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $2.39/serving

Dietary

• Low-Residue
• Nut-Free
• Soy-Free
• Egg-Free
• Low-Sugar
• High-Protein

Tags

• quick
• one-pot

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1.5 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounce tomato sauce (smooth)
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.25 cup fresh basil (chopped)

Instructions

1. Cook 1 pound penne pasta according to package directions until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. While pasta cooks, season 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast pieces with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, until cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add 1 (15-ounce) can smooth tomato sauce and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Cook for 2 minutes, until heated through. Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Season with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure basil is finely chopped. For a smoother sauce, you can briefly blend the tomato sauce before adding cream.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 470
• Protein: 37.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fat: 16.5 g
• Fiber: 2.8 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg