Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- One 4-ounce can tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 pound extra-long mafaldine-type noodles
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino-Romano, plus more for garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Boil the Water
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.Cook the Chicken
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it into crumbles, for 7 to 9 minutes until browned.
Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Remove the chicken and set aside.Sauté Aromatics
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet.
Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning.
Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.Add Tomato Paste
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until it turns a deep red and begins to caramelize.Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in the chicken stock and deglaze the skillet by scraping up any browned bits.
Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
Season with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly.Cook the Pasta
Add the mafaldine noodles to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions.
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.Finish the Sauce
Add butter and heavy cream to the chicken mixture.
Simmer gently to combine.Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the cooked pasta and ¼ cup reserved pasta water to the skillet.
Toss well to coat.
Add more pasta water if needed for a silkier sauce.Add Cheese and Serve
Remove from heat. Stir in Pecorino-Romano cheese.
Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with extra cheese and fresh basil leaves.Serve Hot and Enjoy!
Notes
Pros:
- Rich, creamy, and flavorful sauce
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Balanced with protein, pasta, and vegetables
- Beautiful presentation with basil and Pecorino
- Great for romantic or family dinners
Cons:
- High in calories and saturated fat due to cream and cheese
- Let me know if you’d like this in JSON-LD schema or for a WordPress recipe plugin!
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT30M
- Category: Main course
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: Approx. 650–750 per serving