Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish where tender chicken breasts are simmered in a luscious tomato-basil cream sauce. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner yet elegant enough to serve for guests. Pair it with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up every bit of the delicious sauce!
📋 Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 🍗
- Salt and pepper, to taste 🧂
- 2 tablespoons olive oil 🛢️
- 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 🍅
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes 🍅
- 1/2 cup heavy cream 🥛
- 1/2 cup chicken broth 🍲
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 🌿
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 🌿
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
- Optional: red pepper flakes, for a bit of heat 🌶️
📝 Instructions:
1. Prepare and Cook the Chicken:
- Season the chicken:
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
2. Make the Sauce:
- Sauté garlic:
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tomatoes:
- Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
- Add seasonings:
- Stir in the dried Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Make it creamy:
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is smooth.
3. Combine and Serve:
- Add the chicken:
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let them simmer in the sauce for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- Finish with basil:
- Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the chicken and sauce, mixing gently.
- Serve:
- Serve the Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Garnish with additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
⏱️ Cooking Time: 20 minutes
⏱️ Total Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4 servings
🔥 Calories: Approximately 400-450 kcal per serving
This Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and delicious meal that combines the freshness of basil with the richness of a creamy tomato sauce. It’s an easy recipe that’s sure to impress and become a regular favorite on your dinner table! 🍅🌿🍗