Creamy Tomato Chicken Recipe

balanced meal chicken with creamy tomato sauce Cooking creamy tomato chicken healthy high protein ingredients nutrition pantry staples Pasta Recipe reheating storage weeknight meal

Posted October 6, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

In less than half an hour, you can whip up this delectable one-pan dish featuring creamy tomato chicken, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are skillfully melded into a cheesy, creamy tomato sauce, creating a wholesome, high-protein meal that also yields fantastic leftovers.

If you’re on the lookout for a simple yet comforting dinner idea, look no further than this recipe for creamy tomato chicken. Combining elements of tomato sauce, tomato soup, and grilled chicken, this dish allows you to make the most of your pantry staples while having an enjoyable time in the kitchen.

What You’ll Need

To prepare this chicken in creamy tomato sauce, gather the following ingredients:

Chicken Breasts: Boneless chicken breasts are recommended, but chicken thighs can also be used with a slightly reduced cooking time.
Crushed Tomatoes: Opt for canned tomatoes for convenience, and consider fire-roasted crushed tomatoes for extra flavor.
Tomato Paste: Adds thickness to the sauce.
Olive Oil: Used for cooking the chicken and enhancing the flavor.
Heavy Cream: Essential for achieving a creamy sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: Enhances creaminess and imparts a savory bite to the sauce.
Onion and Garlic: Key components of tomato sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a hint of spiciness (optional).
Basil: Balances flavors and adds freshness.

For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding fennel seeds alongside the red pepper flakes.

How to Make Creamy Tomato Sauce for Chicken

Creating a creamy tomato sauce is a straightforward process using common kitchen and pantry staples. Here’s the step-by-step guide:

Brown the chicken breasts in a large skillet with olive oil to sear them, lock in the juices, and infuse flavor into the tomato sauce. Set them aside.
In the same skillet, add onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
Pour in the heavy cream, add parmesan cheese, and stir until the sauce becomes creamy.
Return the chicken to the pan and cook until it’s done.

For an extra creamy and flavorful touch, grate parmesan cheese over the top of the chicken and garnish with fresh basil. Creamy Tomato Sauce for Chicken

Nutrition Tip

When people see the word “creamy” associated with a recipe, there’s often an immediate assumption that it’s unhealthy. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, the addition of a small amount of heavy cream and parmesan cheese to this dish not only gives the sauce a velvety texture but also provides healthy fats.

What to Serve with Creamy Tomato Chicken

This creamy tomato chicken recipe is rich in protein and healthy fats. While it can be enjoyed on its own, pairing it with complex carbohydrates and fiber-rich vegetables can create a well-balanced meal with minimal effort. Here are some serving ideas:

Pasta and Baby Spinach
Potatoes and Broccoli
Rice and Asparagus
Couscous and Green Beans
Quinoa and Kale

If you’re serving the chicken with pasta, consider using penne, rigatoni, or fusilli, as they complement the sauce well. For the best results, remove the cooked chicken from the pan, add cooked pasta to the sauce, toss to coat, and then serve the pasta topped with a chicken breast.

Storage + Reheating

To Store: Allow the dish to cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: It’s not recommended to freeze this dish as cream sauces tend to separate upon reheating after freezing.

To Reheat: Reheat the dish in a skillet on the stovetop for 5-6 minutes or in a microwave-safe container for 1-2 minutes, with additional 30-second increments if needed to avoid overcooking the chicken.

Creamy Tomato Chicken

This quick, budget-friendly, high-protein recipe for creamy tomato chicken is ideal for casual dinners. Pair it with pasta for a well-balanced meal.

Ingredients

Gather the following ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken breasts, skinless, boneless
1 shallot or small onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup chicken broth or water
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted if possible
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more to serve</li >
Salt
Black pepper
Fresh basil, to serve

Instructions

Follow these steps to prepare the dish:

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
In a large skillet or pan, heat olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium. Add shallot or onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add red pepper flakes, tomato paste, and a pinch of salt, and cook until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth or water, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook until most of the liquid reduces.
Add crushed tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Reduce heat to a simmer, add heavy cream and parmesan cheese, and stir until the sauce is smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Return the chicken breasts to the pan, submerge them in the tomato sauce, and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh basil leaves and additional parmesan cheese to serve. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.