Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

This Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breasts recipe from The Recipe Rebel is a fast and tasty one-pan dinner, ready in just about 25 minutes. Juicy chicken breast halves simmer in a rich tomato sauce, enhanced with garlic, basil, and a splash of cream, then finished with fresh basil and Parmesan for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp canola oil

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (~1 lb / 454 g)

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 Tbsp minced garlic (2–3 cloves)

• ¾ tsp salt

• ½ tsp dried basil

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 (14 oz / 398 ml) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs

• ¾ cup tomato pasta sauce (marinara)

• ¾ cup whipping cream + 1 Tbsp cornstarch (mixed into a slurry)

• Fresh basil (for garnish)

• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish) 

Directions

1. Prep chicken: Slice breasts in half lengthwise for thinner cutlets.

2. Brown: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear 2–4 min per side until golden; set aside.

3. Sauce base: In the same skillet, sauté garlic with salt, basil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes for about 1 minute.

4. Build sauce: Pour in diced tomatoes and marinara. Whisk in cream–cornstarch slurry.

5. Simmer: Return chicken to skillet. Reduce heat to medium–low, cover, and simmer until chicken reaches 165 °F (about 5–7 minutes).

6. Finish & serve: Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan. Serve over pasta, rice, or zucchini noodles.

Nutrients

(Per serving; makes 4 servings)

• Calories: 322 kcal

• Carbohydrates: ~7 g

• Protein: ~30 g

• Fat: ~20 g

• Saturated Fat: ~10 g

• Cholesterol: ~90 mg

• Sodium: ~700 mg

• Fiber: ~2 g

• Sugar: ~4 g