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There are nights when plain chicken just does not cut it, and this is exactly the recipe you pull out when you want something a little dramatic without actually trying too hard. This Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is rich, saucy, and full of bold flavour, but still very much a weeknight dinner situation.

It is the kind of chicken with sundried tomatoes that feels restaurant-worthy, yet uses simple ingredients and one pan. Creamy, comforting, and guaranteed to make someone ask if you followed a recipe or just “know how to cook like that.”

Top view image of Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Parmesan Chicken on a baking tray

Why People Love This Recipe (And Keep Making It)

This Sun Dried Tomato Chicken earns repeat status because it delivers big payoff without unnecessary steps.

  • Juicy Chicken With Real Colour: A light coating helps the chicken brown properly, sealing in moisture and giving the sauce something to cling to instead of sliding straight off.
  • Creamy Without Feeling Heavy: Evaporated milk creates a silky sauce that feels indulgent without tipping into too-rich territory.
  • Sun Dried Tomatoes That Carry The Dish: Their intense, savoury tang cuts through the creaminess and keeps the flavours balanced and interesting.
  • A Sauce That Actually Coats Everything: Parmesan and gentle thickening create a sauce that hugs the chicken instead of pooling on the plate.
  • Easy To Serve With Anything: Pasta, rice, mash, or vegetables all work, making this chicken with sundried tomatoes incredibly flexible.

What Goes Into Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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Top shot of ingredients: Mushrooms, pepper, salt, parmesan cheese, basil, sun dried tomato oil, tapioca flour, Italian herbs, garlic, cornstarch with milk, sun dried tomato strips in oil, chicken breasts, and evaporated milk.

This Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is made with everyday ingredients that come together to create a creamy, flavorful dish without any heavy cream. Here are the key elements that make it work:

  • Chicken Breasts: Tender, boneless fillets are lightly coated with flour and parmesan, giving them a golden crust and extra flavor.
  • Sun Dried Tomatoes: The star of the dish, they bring tangy, savory depth and pair perfectly with the creamy parmesan sauce.
  • Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms add a rich, earthy flavor and soak up all the goodness of the sauce.
  • Evaporated Milk: A lighter alternative to heavy cream that still creates a velvety sauce, keeping the dish indulgent yet balanced.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

Add-Ins And Substitutions (Because Flexibility Matters)

This Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is already doing a lot, but it also plays very nicely with a few thoughtful tweaks.

  • Spinach Or Kale: Stir in at the end for a pop of colour and a fresh contrast to the creamy sauce.
  • Chicken Thighs: Boneless thighs work beautifully if you want extra juicy, more forgiving chicken.
  • White Wine Splash: A small amount added after the garlic brings brightness and extra depth to the sauce.
  • Chilli Flakes: Perfect if you want a subtle heat to balance the richness without overpowering the dish.

How To Make Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Dredging chicken with flour mixture.
  1. Mix and Dredge: Combine flour, parmesan, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken fillets evenly, shake off excess, and set aside.
Searing chicken in a pan.
  1. Heat and Sear: Warm 1 tablespoon tomato oil until hot. Sear chicken until golden on both sides and cooked through Transfer to a warm plate.
Sautéed garlic with tomatoes and mushrooms.
  1. Sauté and Soften: Add remaining oil to skillet. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add tomatoes and mushrooms, and cook until mushrooms are just tender.
Added the evaporated milk into the pan.
  1. Pour and Simmer: Reduce heat to low. Pour in evaporated milk and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Added parmesan cheese in the pan.
  1. Thicken and Melt: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer while stirring until the sauce thickens. Add parmesan and cook for 1 minute until melted and smooth.
Close-up shot of Sun Dried Tomato Chicken.
  1. Return and Serve: Nestle chicken back into sauce and spoon sauce over top. Sprinkle with basil and pepper if you like. Serve over pasta, rice, or vegetables.

This creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of comforting sides. For a low carb twist, try it alongside Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats, which balance the richness of the sauce with a light and hearty base. Add a classic vegetable side like Stove Top Green Bean Casserole for extra texture and flavor. And for the ultimate comfort meal, nothing beats serving it over Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes to soak up every drop of that delicious sauce.

Pro Tips That Make A Difference

  • Halve chicken breasts evenly so they cook at the same rate and stay juicy.
  • Let the chicken develop colour before flipping. Browning equals flavour.
  • Keep the heat low once the milk goes in to avoid splitting the sauce.
  • Taste before seasoning heavily since parmesan and sun dried tomatoes vary in saltiness.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead Of Breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe. They are juicier and a little more forgiving if you overcook them slightly.

Do I Have To Use Evaporated Milk?

Not at all. You can use regular milk, half and half, or even a dairy free milk alternative. If using regular milk, just remember to include the cornstarch slurry so the sauce thickens.

How Do I Make This Recipe Dairy Free?

Simply leave out the parmesan cheese and swap the evaporated milk for your favorite non dairy milk such as almond, oat, or coconut milk. The sauce will still be creamy and flavorful.

Watch Me Make This On Video!

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4.67 from 74 votes

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Parmesan Chicken (No Cream)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
A Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Parmesan Chicken with Mushrooms that is Gluten Free and made with NO HEAVY CREAM… or ANY cream… at ALL!
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Ingredients 
 

For The Chicken:

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts halved horizontally to make 4 fillets
  • 2 tablespoons Tapioca flour or all purpose or plain flour
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese finely grated fresh, do not include for dairy free option
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch cracked pepper

For The Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons sun dried tomato oil or olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons garlic minced
  • 7 ounces sun dried tomato strips in oil jarred, drained, reserve 2 tablespoons of oil for cooking
  • 1 cup mushrooms sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk reduced fat or full fat milk
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch cornflour mixed with 2 tablespoons of milk
  • cup parmesan cheese do not include for dairy free option
  • 2 teaspoons Italian herbs optional for added flavour
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil shredded, to serve

Instructions 

  • In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Dredge in the flour mixture; shake off excess and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the reserved oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Fry the chicken until golden on each side, cooked through and no longer pink (about 5-6 minutes each side, depending on the thickness of your chicken). Transfer onto a warm plate.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet; sauté the garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add the sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms; fry until the mushrooms are just soft.
  • Reduce heat to low heat, add the milk (or cream if using) and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to your taste and add the milk/cornstarch mixture to the centre of the pan. Continue to simmer while quickly stirring the mixture through until the sauce thickens. (Only use cornstarch if using milk for your sauce.)
  • Add in the parmesan cheese; allow sauce to simmer for a further minute until cheese melts through the sauce. Add the chicken back into the pan; sprinkle with the fresh basil and a little extra pepper (optional), and serve over pasta, rice or steamed veg.

Notes

*Substitute milk with almond, rice, oat, or coconut milk. Alternatively, use half and half or a reduced fat cream. If using cream in place of milk, do not add the cornstarch mixture. You won’t need it.

Nutrition

Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1075mg | Potassium: 1507mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1131IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 431mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this? Leave a comment below!
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4.67 from 74 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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102 Comments

  1. Brenda says:

    5 stars
    Made this last night when some friends came over, everyone LOVED IT!! Definitely adding this into regular rotation for dinner. Was easy to make, and had so much flavor. Thank you!!

  2. Kirstin says:

    Any recommendations on what to serve this with? Sides? or pasta?

    1. Karina says:

      Most salads are great or potatoes,. asparagus, even corn would work too. Pasta would taste great too! Enjoy!

  3. Darline says:

    5 stars
    I made this last night, delicious, easy, will definitely make this again. Prepared extra sauce, this evening we had Shrimp Pasta with the leftover sauce AWESOME! So, it’s wonderful with chicken or seafood. Thanks so much !

  4. Jan says:

    My husband really liked it. I added fresh baby spinach with the mushrooms and tomatoes. He went back for seconds

    1. Karina says:

      YAY!! Seconds for the WIN! That is great! Thanks for sharing!

      1. margaret woodford says:

        Aim add this also it it seemed like the gravy was grainy (.?) as if it was curdling…did I do some thing wrong

  5. Kathy Calder says:

    5 stars
    Tried this dish. So easy and its so tasty. Will be making it again and again.

  6. Jpas says:

    5 stars
    Excelent receipe. All my family loved it. Easy to cook and absolutely is a gourmet level.

    1. Tymeron Smith says:

      That is fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!

  7. Kelly Deaver says:

    5 stars
    I’ve probably made this ten times now because it has become a big-time favorite. I use the evaporated milk which gives it such rich flavor. I forgot to add the parmesan this last time I made it and it was missed, but still tasted awesome. I have found that when I use the evaporated milk the sauce doesn’t really combine well (the oil from the tomatoes and the evaporated milk) but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying it. Also, if you let the sauce get too hot and it starts to boil, eve lightly, it will break up the evaporated milk and make it appear grainy. STILL TASTES WONDERFUL! But for appearance, keep a really close eye on the simmering phase. Love this recipe!

  8. Kristi says:

    5 stars
    First of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe, and I make it with coconut milk and tapioca flour and no cornstarch (coconut milk is THICK ENOUGH – learned the hard way). But I am curious on the nutritional values you posted. When I put this into my fitness pal it gives me like 6 total carbs with 1 fiber carbs, so 5 net carbs. Yours has like almost 40 total carbs! Did you include a starch for serving over with your nutrition facts or maybe was there a mistake? I’ve tried going over my list but also there just isn’t a lot of carbs in this recipe to warrant such high carbs, unless you are counting rice or noodles or something! Just curious if I am missing something 🙂

  9. Liza says:

    5 stars
    I made this last night for my parents and picky fiancé. Everyone LOVED it. Very easy to make. I served it with a ceaser salad. The chicken was the perfect golden brown and the sauce was so flavorful. Definitely will be making again.

    1. Karina says:

      I’m so happy to hear that Liza!

  10. Diane says:

    Can you bake this in the oven? I am having 12 people over for dinner and want to make this.