This Tomato Basil Chicken will easily become a new favorite recipe for you during the week. It only takes 30 minutes to cook (including prep time). It’s made with a creamy tomato and basil sauce that pairs well with pasta and rice.
I love creating this creamy tomato basil chicken when I need a quick protein entrée during the week that the entire family will love. Besides being quick and easy to make, this creamy tomato chicken dish is a one-pot recipe. So, you can also enjoy an easy cleanup process.
If you need more one-pot Italian chicken recipe inspiration, consider making my Creamy Lemon Chicken or Creamy Chicken and Mashed Potatoes.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy – Using heavy cream and parmesan cheese in this tomato basil chicken dish helps create a creamy, delicious sauce.
- Tomato forward – A store-bought tomato basil sauce is the base for this yummy Italian basil chicken recipe.
- Decadent – Made with heavy cream and parmesan cheese, this recipe feels rich and restaurant-worthy.
- Easy – All you need for this basil chicken breast recipe is a Dutch oven and a stirring spoon.
- Simple – You likely already have the ingredients for this recipe in your fridge and pantry.
- Perfect for family lunches or dinners – This tomato and garlic basil chicken recipe makes four servings, perfect for a family meal during the week. It’s also easy to double or triple the recipe as needed.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Shallot: If you can’t find shallots at the store, you can use 1/2 of a small onion as a replacement.
- Chicken Broth: You can use a dry white wine instead of using chicken broth to deglaze the pan. This swap helps create a complex, acidic flavor that elevates the dish.
- Pasta Sauce: You can also use an Italian herb pasta sauce instead of tomato basil for this tomato basil chicken dish.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Tomato Basil Chicken
Quick Overview
- Melt the butter.
- Turn the heat off.
- Place chicken and seasoning in the pan.
- Arrange in a single layer.
- Sear chicken breasts.
- Remove chicken.
- Reduce heat.
- Sauté the shallot.
- Add garlic, seasoning, and flour.
- Deglaze the pan.
- Add tomato sauce and cream.
- Stir in parmesan cheese.
- Add chicken and cook through.
Step by Step Instructions
Turn the heat off when arranging the chicken to avoid an uneven cook.
Step 1: In a large skillet over low heat, melt the butter. Turn the heat off.
Step 2: Toss the chicken, salt, garlic, smoked paprika, and pepper in the butter. Arrange the chicken in a single layer.
Step 3: Increase the heat to medium. Sear each chicken breast for 6-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. The internal temperature should be almost 165 degrees. Cover if needed.
Step 4: Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Step 5: Add the shallot and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until softened.
Step 6: Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
Sear the chicken breasts before creating the sauce to help lock in the moisture.
Step 7: Deglaze the pan with the broth, scraping all of the brown bits off the bottom.
Step 8: Stir in the tomato sauce and cream.
Step 9: Stir in the parmesan and bring to a light boil.
Step 10: Add the chicken back in and cook until warmed through. Top each chicken breast with fresh basil.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Garnish this tomato basil chicken with fresh parsley, fresh basil, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or a combination of the four.
I love to serve tomato basil chicken over pasta, rice, or with bread to help soak up the sauce. Here are a few ideas:
- Instant Pot Basmati Rice
- Spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Easy Rustic Bread
- Garlic Bread in Air Fryer
Expert Tips
- Serve over a starch. You can create a more filling version of this tomato basil chicken recipe by serving it over pasta or rice. You can also serve this Italian tomato chicken recipe over mashed potatoes if you don’t have rice or pasta at home.
- Use white wine to deglaze. Using white wine instead of chicken broth to deglaze the pan helps take this dish to the next level. Since the alcohol cooks out as the sauce simmers, it’s okay to serve this version of the recipe to the entire family.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken. You can create even juicier chicken by searing the meat in butter or olive oil before cooking it in the sauce. Searing helps lock the moisture in and creates a beautiful golden-brown color on the outside of each chicken breast.
Additions & Variations
- Add sliced or shredded mozzarella on top – For a cheesier, more decadent tomato basil chicken recipe, add freshly shredded or sliced mozzarella on top of each chicken breast. Ensure the cheese is melted fully before serving. This addition will also help boost the protein in each serving.
- Garnish with fresh herbs – Since this dish is decadent, adding a few sprigs of herbs on top helps create a fresh flavor.
- Try boneless skinless chicken thighs – Instead of chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs will also work well in this recipe. This swap will provide even juicier chicken pieces.
- Add vegetables – Make this recipe more nourishing by including veggies in this dish. You can toss in fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, and other similar veg into this recipe. Saute the veggies for a minute before adding them to the sauce.
- Oven – You can also cook this recipe in the oven instead of a pan if you prefer, though you’ll need to ensure it does overcook to prevent dry chicken. To make baked chicken with tomatoes and garlic, preheat the oven to 375°F. The chicken will take about 20-30 minutes to cook through fully. Follow the other steps to make the sauce in a separate pan while the chicken bakes. Once the chicken is cooked, you can toss it in the sauce and serve it.
Recipe FAQs
Since this recipe is well-seasoned, you won’t need additional spices once the chicken is cooked. However, you can always add more salt/pepper if needed to cooked chicken. Other spices like onion and garlic powder also work well with cooked chicken.
As mentioned, searing the protein for this tomato basil chicken recipe helps keep it moist. You can use this method for other chicken recipes. Using a marinade before cooking will also help create a moist chicken breast.
Many herbs work well with chicken since it has a mild flavor. Some of the most popular herbs to use with chicken recipes include basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and tarragon.
More Chicken Recipes
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Tomato Basil Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 2 pounds
- 2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon EACH granulated garlic & smoked paprika
- fresh ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 shallot, diced finely*
- 7-8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water*
- 1 24-ounce jar tomato basil pasta sauce
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano
- fresh basil, for topping
Instructions
- In a large skillet over low heat, melt the butter. Turn the heat off.2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Toss the chicken, salt, garlic, smoked paprika, and pepper in the butter. Arrange the chicken in a single layer.4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 2 pounds, 2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt, 1 teaspoon EACH granulated garlic & smoked paprika, fresh ground black pepper
- Increase the heat to medium. Sear each chicken breast for 6-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. The internal temperature should be almost 165 degrees. Cover if needed.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add the shallot and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until softened.1 shallot, diced finely*
- Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.7-8 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 Tablespoon flour
- Deglaze the pan with the broth, scraping all of the brown bits off the bottom.1/2 cup chicken broth or water*
- Stir in the tomato sauce and cream.1 24-ounce jar tomato basil pasta sauce, 2/3 cup heavy cream
- Stir in the parmesan and bring to a light boil.1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano
- Add the chicken back in and cook until warmed through. Top each chicken breast with fresh basil.fresh basil, for topping
Notes
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Shallot: If you can’t find shallots at the store, you can use 1/2 of a small onion as a replacement.
- Chicken Broth: You can use a dry white wine instead of using chicken broth to deglaze the pan. This swap helps create a complex, acidic flavor that elevates the dish.
- Pasta Sauce: You can also use an Italian herb pasta sauce instead of tomato basil for this tomato basil chicken dish.
- Serve over a starch. You can create a more filling version of this tomato basil chicken recipe by serving it over pasta or rice. You can also serve this Italian tomato chicken recipe over mashed potatoes if you don’t have rice or pasta at home.
- Use white wine to deglaze. Using white wine instead of chicken broth to deglaze the pan helps take this dish to the next level. Since the alcohol cooks out as the sauce simmers, it’s okay to serve this version of the recipe to the entire family.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken. You can create even juicier chicken by searing the meat in butter or olive oil before cooking it in the sauce. Searing helps lock the moisture in and creates a beautiful golden-brown color on the outside of each chicken breast.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
