1. 1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice the boneless, skinless chicken breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets, about 1/2-inch thick. This helps them cook faster and more evenly. Pat them dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture generously over both sides of the chicken cutlets.

2. 2. Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned chicken. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165 F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a cutting board. Once slightly cooled, slice or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

3. 3. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (firm to the bite). Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the rest of the pasta and set aside.

4. 4. Saute Aromatics: In the same skillet used for the chicken, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

5. 5. Build the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce slightly thickens. It should coat the back of a spoon.

6. 6. Combine and Finish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce and creates a smooth consistency. Add the cooked and sliced chicken pieces back into the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.

7. 7. Serve with Garnish: Serve immediately in shallow bowls. Garnish each serving generously with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.