Tomato Basil Chicken

5 from 10 votes

Tomato Basil Chicken is a cozy, one-skillet meal with juicy chicken, ripe tomatoes, basil and cream—fresh, hearty and comforting.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: 60 Minutes or Less, Mains, One Pot

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 60-Minute Meals, Chicken, Chicken Breasts, Dinner, Mains, One Pot Recipe, Tomato Sauce

Servings:

Calories: 418kcal

Author: Eva Filer

If your breasts are very thick, pound them down for more even cooking.
Season both sides of the chicken with salt, garlic powder, ground black pepper and onion powder.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon oil and sear chicken on both sides for about 3-4 minutes each; do not overcrowd the pan (if needed work in batches and add more oil).
Remove from heat and set aside on a plate.
Make tomato sauce by adding 2 tablespoon oil and cook tomato paste, shallots and garlic for 1 minute while scraping down brown bits.
Add crushed tomatoes, grape tomatoes and red pepper flakes.
Cook until the tomatoes soften and use a potato masher to crush them.
Add heavy whipping cream and stir until blended.
Place the chicken back to the skillet and bring to a simmer until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F (about 15 minutes).
Garnish with chopped basil and parmesan shavings.
Serve chicken with a scoop of tomato sauce over a bowl or spaghetti or on its own.

For quicker, more even cooking, lightly pound thicker parts of the chicken breast before seasoning.
Sear chicken in a single layer to get that golden crust; working in batches adds a few more minutes but is worth it!
Deglaze the pan and lift the browned bits for added flavor in your sauce.
Cooking the tomato paste briefly with the shallots and garlic deepens the flavor and adds a subtle sweetness to the sauce.
Crushing the grape tomatoes right in the pan creates a rustic texture and helps them break down into the sauce.
Always use fresh basil for best results, it’s worth the extra step.