Tomato Basil Chicken

This healthy Tomato Basil Chicken is ready in less than thirty minutes and made with just a few ingredients. The rich tomato sauce with fresh basil and butter is so good. Serve it with freshly cooked pasta, creamy polenta, cauliflower rice, or roasted veggies. 

Last week, the fridge looked pretty barren, but I was determined not to order takeout, so I did a quick once-over of the fridge and pantry.

I decided chicken breasts, canned San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh basil were the perfect pantry staples to make a cozy meal.

I started by pounding the chicken and coating it with salt, pepper, and oregano. Then, I threw it in a skillet until it was golden brown.

Now, it was time for some sauce. I started with lots of fresh garlic and my favorite San Marzano tomatoes. After adding the tomatoes and letting them simmer for a bit, something was still missing. It was a bit too acidic and lacked richness.

That's when I decided to add butter! The resulting sauce was cozy, rich, and so delicious. We were spooning it out of the pan. Tossed with some fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, this chicken is a dish you will want to make again and again.

Love the flavor of tomato and basil? Don't miss this Roasted Tomato Basil Soup, One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta, and Italian Salmon with Tomato Basil Salsa.

Ingredients and Swaps

Think about this recipe as a blueprint for quick skillet creamy tomato basil chicken protein. 

• Chicken: Although I made this with chicken breasts, it would also work with chicken thighs, tenderloins, or cutlets. You could also make the recipe with pork tenderloin, salmon, halibut, or tofu. This sauce tastes amazing on everything.
• Oregano: Dried oregano, kosher salt, and fresh black pepper add flavor to the chicken. You can also swap in Italian seasoning, dried basil, poultry seasoning, or other spices. 
• Garlic: For the best-tasting tomato sauce, use fresh garlic cloves. If you don't have fresh, frozen cubes are the next best thing.
• Tomatoes: I always have canned San Marzano tomatoes in the pantry. These Italian tomatoes are sweeter and less acidic than traditional canned diced tomatoes. That said, you can make this recipe with canned, whole, or stewed tomatoes. You can use fresh ripe tomatoes, like cherry or Roma tomatoes, but you may need a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are very acidic. 
• Butter: Butter is essential for making this sauce rich and indulgent. You could swap in olive oil, but it won't have the same rich flavor.
• Basil: Fresh basil and tomatoes are a classic combination. Feel free to add fresh herbs like parsley, oregano, thyme, or rosemary. 
• Make it creamy: For a creamier sauce, you can finish the sauce with heavy cream, cream cheese, or ricotta cheese. 
• Garnish: Finish the dish with fresh Parmesan cheese, goat cheese, Pecorino Romano, fresh mozzarella, or pine nuts.  Drizzle with balsamic glaze. 

How to Serve Tomato Basil Chicken

Almost every time I make this dish, I serve it over a bed of rice, pasta, or polenta, as I want something to soak up the sauce. Crusty bread would also be delicious. 

• Pasta: Go with classic Italian flavors and cook a big pot of regular, whole wheat, or alternative pasta on the side. Consider using medium pasta shapes like rigatoni or penne that can soak up the sauce.
• Veggie noodles: For a lower-carb option, go with spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles. These palming noodles are also becoming increasingly popular.
• Polenta: Polenta is an overlooked side dish that is quite simple to make, and all you need is some corn grits. Another option is pre-cooked polenta tubes.
• Vegetables: For side dishes, add some roasted like this Parmesan Roasted Broccoli or Cauliflower. It's also delicious with a simple green salad.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

There are many ways to customize this recipe based on what you have at home or your preferences. Here are some ideas:

• Tomatoes: If you can find San Marzano tomatoes, then use those. They are sweeter and less acidic than regular canned tomatoes. However, regular canned tomatoes will work if you don't have any. You may need to add a teaspoon of sugar to balance out the acid. Just taste and adjust as needed. 
• Fresh tomatoes: You can make this dish with fresh tomatoes; it will just take some extra work since you will need to cook the tomatoes until they are tender and have released the juice to make a sauce.  If the tomatoes are't juicy enough, add some chicken broth. 
• Make it spicy: If you like spicy things, add some red pepper flakes while adding garlic. You can also add some Calabrian chili paste. 
• Change the protein: If you don't have chicken breast, you can make this with chicken thighs, pork cutlets or chops, and white fish or shrimp. Just adjust the cooking time so the protein doesn't overcook. 
• Roasted red peppers: For a slightly different flavor, add some roasted red peppers to the sauce as well. Just chop them up and stir them into the tomatoes. This adds a delicious smoky element and some sweetness.
• Add more veggies: If you want more veggies, wilt some spinach into the sauce before serving or saute some zucchini, kale, or cauliflower to fold into the final dish. 
• Beans: Add a can of white beans or chickpeas to the dish for added fiber and flavor.
• More Italian flavor: Add more layers of flavors with artichoke hearts, capers, olives, or a few spoonfuls of pesto.