This one-pan tomato basil chicken is ready in under 20 minutes for a protein-packed meal on busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and loads of flavor, this simple dish is great for the whole family.
Tomatoes, basil, and garlic are the perfect trio. From fresh bruschetta to warm pasta dishes, there’s just something about this combination that tastes phenomenal.
Naturally, a tomato basil chicken with garlic is going to be amazing! Paired with pasta or rice, this is the perfect meal for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Chicken: Juicy chicken breasts are the main ingredient in this easy one-pan meal. Be sure to buy boneless, skinless breasts that have roughly even thickness.
Fresh tomatoes: Cooking down fresh tomatoes gives this recipe a more vibrant flavor. I recommend grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, but you can also use diced fresh Roma tomatoes.
Canned tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes give this rich tomato sauce more body than just fresh tomatoes by themselves.
Garlic and onion: Fresh garlic and onion are essential for a flavorful, savory dish.
Fresh basil: Chopped fresh basil is the main flavor for this one-pot tomato basil chicken. You can use dried basil in a pinch, but fresh is best. This is a great way to use up a lot of fresh herbs if you have some that are going bad.
Red pepper flakes: These are always optional if you don’t like a little bit of spice, but they make this a great dish!
Variations
- Add some cheese to make this chicken even better. I would use parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese and add them in with the basil and chicken. You could even give this chicken a nice golden brown crust by broiling the parmesan on top before serving it.
- Make a creamy tomato basil sauce for this chicken. Add a splash of heavy cream while you’re sauteing the tomatoes.
- Add more veggies. Sauteed mushrooms or bell peppers would taste delicious in this dish and help you get your veggies in without a side dish.
- In addition to the basil, use more fresh herbs such as fresh parsley, oregano, or thyme. You could also drizzle this chicken with pesto to give it all of the basil flavor with a little something extra.
Serving Suggestions
This one-pan chicken is the perfect main dish when paired with a side or two! You can make the sides as simple or as complicated as you like. Here are just a few recommendations:
Add a carb: Serve this chicken on a bed of warm noodles or rice. It’s also delicious with a piece of crusty bread on the side. If you’re avoiding carbs, this chicken tastes great with zucchini noodles.
Add some veggies: Get extra vegetables into your meal with a simple side salad or warm veggie dish, such as green beans or broccoli rabe.
Add more yummy sides: There are so many tasty sides to pair with this versatile chicken! Serve it with caprese flatbread, mac and cheese, or homemade mozzarella sticks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tomato basil chicken good for meal prep?
Yes! Make a batch of this one-pan chicken, some veggies, and noodles or rice at the beginning of the week and you’ll have a great lunch. Pack single servings into a microwave-safe, airtight container to easily grab in the morning.
What is a one-pan dish?
“One-pan” or “one-pot” means that the dish only uses one pot to create! Rather than having a sink full of dirty dishes when you’re done cooking, one-pan meals produce very few (usually just the pan and a few utensils).
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One-Pan Garlic Tomato Basil Chicken | 20-Minute Meal
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
5 cloves minced garlic
½ yellow onion, minced
1 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste
Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the hot pan. Cook chicken breasts for about five minutes on each side, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same hot skillet, add more oil and saute onions until soft and translucent. Add garlic and saute for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, basil, and red pepper flakes and simmer over medium heat for a few minutes to cook down the cherry tomatoes. Add the basil and chicken and continue to simmer until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Serve with pasta, roasted veggies, or rice.
