Description
Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender, seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich and velvety tomato basil cream sauce. This ultimate recipe guide shows you how to make a delicious dinner that’s perfect over pasta or with a side of crusty bread, combining classic Italian flavors with a creamy twist for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Cooked pasta (such as spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine), for serving
- Fresh mozzarella balls, for topping
- Spinach, added to the sauce in the last few minutes of cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or inside a large zip-top bag. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken evenly to about 1/2 inch thickness for consistent cooking.
- Season the Chicken: Mix garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Generously sprinkle this spice blend evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts, pressing gently so it adheres well.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet without overcrowding. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove and Set Aside: Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a plate and loosely cover with foil to keep warm while you make the sauce.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and heat over medium. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing for 3-5 minutes until onions are soft and translucent but garlic hasn’t burned.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in sugar, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer the Sauce: Lower heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors and thicken slightly.
- Add Cream and Basil: Stir in the heavy cream and fresh chopped basil. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes more, being careful not to boil to avoid curdling the cream.
- Return Chicken to Skillet: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the creamy tomato basil sauce in the skillet.
- Coat the Chicken: Spoon sauce over each piece thoroughly ensuring the chicken is well coated.
- Simmer Together: Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 5-10 minutes to heat through completely and allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Plate the creamy tomato basil chicken over your choice of cooked pasta, garnish with extra fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Optionally top with fresh mozzarella balls and spinach added in the last minutes of sauce simmering for a vibrant touch.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to 165°F (74°C).
- Pounding chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking and prevents dryness.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
- Do not boil the sauce after adding cream to avoid curdling.
- Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a full meal experience.
- Fresh basil added at the end keeps the bright flavor and aroma.
- Spinach can be stirred into the sauce in the final minutes for added nutrition and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy tomato basil chicken, chicken breast recipe, tomato cream sauce, Italian chicken dinner, easy chicken recipes, stovetop chicken, pasta sauce chicken
