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Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breasts Recipe

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4.2 from 38 reviews

Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breasts is a quick and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful sauce made with diced tomatoes, tomato pasta sauce, fresh basil, and a luscious creamy base. This one-pan skillet meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner, offering a delightful blend of Italian-inspired flavors with an easy preparation and cooking method.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (roughly 1 lb or 454 grams)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (2-3 cloves)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 398 ml canned diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
  • ¾ cup tomato pasta sauce (marinara or other seasoned tomato sauce)
  • ¾ cup whipping cream (whole milk or half and half also work)
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil (or 1 tablespoon basil pesto as a substitute)
  • Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish (as desired)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Halve the chicken breasts lengthwise into two thin pieces each to ensure even cooking. Optionally, use four chicken breasts flattened to the same thickness if preferred.
  2. Heat Oil and Season Chicken: Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
  3. Brown Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in the skillet and brown each side for about 2-4 minutes until golden and partially cooked.
  4. Remove Chicken: Transfer the browned chicken breasts from the skillet and keep them covered to retain warmth.
  5. Cook Aromatics: Add minced garlic, salt, dried basil, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning the garlic.
  6. Add Tomatoes and Sauce: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with Italian herbs and tomato pasta sauce. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to enhance flavor.
  7. Mix Cream and Corn Starch: Whisk together the whipping cream and corn starch in a small bowl until smooth, then add the mixture to the pan and stir to combine thoroughly.
  8. Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the pan, bring the mixture to a low simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 6-8 minutes.
  9. Finish and Serve: Stir in the freshly chopped basil (or basil pesto substitute). Serve the chicken topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese as desired.

Notes

  • Halving the chicken breasts thinly ensures faster and even cooking.
  • You can substitute basil pesto for fresh chopped basil if fresh basil is unavailable.
  • Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your taste for heat.
  • Whole milk or half and half can replace whipping cream for a lighter sauce.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F for food safety.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Cook Time: 17 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/creamy-tomato-basil-chicken-breasts-recipe/