Chicken with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce – an 80’s throwback! I like to pack in a lot of sun dried tomato flavour here by using the oil from the jar to cook the chicken. Why throw away free flavour??
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce for Chicken
Sun dried tomatoes don’t feature as much anymore as they should. Back in the 80’s they were ALL THE RAGE!
But they never went out of fashion in my world. Throw a small amount into almost any meal and you get a wonderful burst of extra flavour. I use them to make a super quick 12 Minutes Sun Dried Tomato Couscous Salad, in creamy chicken pasta, I stuff ’em inside chicken breast and Chicken Meatloaf and I use then for pasta salads.
The added bonus is the oil that the sun dried tomatoes are marinated in. Free flavour! Using the oil from the jar to cook the chicken really drives home the sun dried tomato flavour in the overall dish.
I never toss out the oil that olives and other antipasto things come in. I recycle them – either cook with it, or I use it to marinate cubes of feta or char grilled vegetables. Have to you ever tried that? Super thrifty – and extra flavour!
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce ingredients
Here’s what you need for the creamy sun dried tomato sauce. I’ve used chicken thighs here, but it’s just as great made with chicken breast.
Quick dinner – 15 Minutes!
If you have a skillet large enough to cook all the chicken in one batch, then you’ll get this on the table in around 15 minutes. Chicken thighs should take around 6 -7 minutes to cook, and the creamy sun dried tomato sauce takes about 5 minutes.
I usually prep the sauce ingredients which the chicken is browning, so there’s really not much extra prep time.
Serve this with mashed potato OR, to make this a sensational low carb meal, with Creamy Mashed Cauliflower. It’s also great with pasta, or even just some crusty bread, dinner rolls or even focaccia to mop up the sauce! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Chicken with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
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!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published July 2015, updated July 2019 with new photos, new video, new process photos, new writing. And the recipe has been spruced up a wee bit too!
Life of Dozer
I went to the loo, came back and he’d made himself at home on MY cashmere blanket!
10/10 Nagi! Served it with mashed potato, steamed broccoli and asparagus, it was so damn good ☺️
Sounds like you nailed it Natalie!
I made it tonight and it is FANTAStiC! There is so much flavor. Every family member loved it. I will just simply cook chicken in a skillet in the sundried tomato oil. It is delicous even without the sauce
This was delicious, with so much flavor. Also very colorful on the mashed potatoes. My husband said “a gourmet meal on a weeknight!” Thank you, Nagi!
It’s such a great hack isn’t it Michele!!
Done it. Damn good! And my wife was a food critic for a newspaper for 10 years! She loved it.
I made this and everyone loves it! It’s so creamy! I’m not a fan of anything tomato really but it was so tasty. Making again this week. Used chicken breast and had warmed pitta bread with it. It’s a meal in itself so didn’t need anything extra. Also swapped basil for fresh chives. Divine!
Sounds like you nailed it Denise!
OMG…just made this dish. Wasn’t rushing but still was eating in 20 minutes. I love thighs and used them but will probably recommend to my hardcore boneless breast friends to use them. Every ingredient was easily found at my supermarket. Best meal ever. Exactly why I love your recipes. Thanks Nagi
You’re so welcome Trish!
This took a lot longer than was stated. Would I cook it again??? ABSOLUTELY… this delivered all of the flavours. This was sooo yummy
Hi Jo, sorry it too a little longer than expected, but I hope it was worth it!! – N x
I’m a fan! The easy to follow instructions makes this a go to meal. I’m out of fresh basil, so I’m subbing my homemade pesto and frozen spinach served over pasta. Wish me luck.
Perfect, enjoy!
Hi Nagi! I’ve tried several of your recipes and they have all been superb. We had this for dinner tonight and it was fantastic – the sauce is amazing! Thank you for sharing such easy to follow recipes with everyday ingredients.
You’re so welcome Michelle 🙂
Hi there! Just wondering, is there any sub for Parmesan and heavy cream? I can’t have dairy sorry thanks so much!
Hi Starshine, sorry this is all about that parmesan and cream, I haven’t tried with any alternatives – N x
Hey what if we don’t want to add wine, is there any alternative to that or can we just skip that part? Please do suggest. Thanks xx
Hi Eesha, the sub is listed in the recipe – N x
Every time we cook this recipe i always get compliments from my workmates and just from the smell too! I have been following Nagi for years never disappoint <3
That’s awesome Aleka!
Hi Nagi, I am so cooking this tonight! I love all your recipes, every single one has turned out delish! Is this ok to freeze as I like to keep my elderly Father-In-Law’s freezer filled?
Hi Carol, the only issue you may have is the sauce splitting when defrosted – N x
Thanks Nagi, I thought so. We loved this meal and will take to my Father-In-Law for tomorrow night. Thanks so much for all your recipes X
I have made this for my family and we absolutely love it. I’ve served it with mash and vegies and pasta. Your recipes are so delicious and so easy to make. Loving this new cooking website!!!
I’m so glad you loved it Natasha, thanks so much for taking the time to let me know! N x
Fresh basil is not available near me, will spinach be a good substitute?
Yes definitely Rhonda! I hope you love it – N x
Great recipe!!! My partner and I enjoyed this very much. I served it with smashed potatoes (recipe from here as well) and steamed green beans. I’m not a very good cook but managed to follow this recipe quite easily and turned out a yummilicious dish. Will definitely make this over and over again. Thank you!! ♡♡
I’m so glad you loved it Jovynne, sounds like you nailed it!
Love this recipe at home, my mum makes a very similar dish but she swaps the basil for tarragon and I think it’s even better. Give it a try if you have chance!
Sounds great Adam!
Excellent recipe, flavor is amazing. Served over vegetable noodles. Will make again!!!
I’m so happy you loved it Pamela!
Another winner from Nagi! Pinned to my favourites. Thank you.
Wahoo! That’s great to hear Sue – N x
I’ve just made this. It was amazingly tasty! We loved it!
Your recipes are awesome and so easy to follow. 😁
Thanks so much Diane!!
I am so pleased I found your blog. My cooking has improved so much! I have made several of your recipes now and they never fail to impress. Whenever I don’t know what to cook I check your site first, then I am inspired. Thanks Lynda
That’s great to hear Lynda ❤️