Name: Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 3 boneless (skinless chicken breasts); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 28 oz crushed tomatoes; 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (shredded); 4 oz mozzarella cheese (sliced); 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)

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This delicious tomato basil chicken skillet combines juicy chicken, tangy tomatoes, and fragrant basil. A tasty, easy-to-make dish for any occasion!

Close up of mozzarella cheese rounds in a bed of tomato sauce covering chicken in a cast iron skillet topped with fresh chopped basil.

I’m sure you are with me when I say that it can be a real challenge to find recipes that the entire family can agree on. Everyone has their favorite foods.

Depending on the day, some of us are pickier than usual. It can all feel just a bit much. Well, today I have a recipe to share with you that will help solve this problem.

Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!

Mozzarella cheese rounds in a bed of tomato sauce covering chicken in a cast iron skillet topped with fresh chopped basil.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Juicy chicken breasts are smothered in a quick homemade tomato sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese for a delicious take on chicken parmigiana. Everyone will love it!

Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

This creamy tomato basil chicken recipe is just the kind of 30-minute meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. The dish has all of the classic Italian flavors we all love – tomato, fresh herbs, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

The lack of breading makes this dish a little lighter too, which I like. Using thin chicken breasts also means that they cook up much faster.

Wooden serving spoon scooping a mozzarella cheese round from a bed of tomato sauce covering chicken in a cast iron skillet topped with fresh chopped basil.

Serve this tender chicken over pasta, with a loaf of garlic bread for soaking up all that creamy sauce. For a low carb option, try it with zucchini noodles.

Garnish with a few extra fresh basil leaves and you have yourself a restaurant quality meal at home. Let’s get started!

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt & pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
Cloves garlic, minced
Crushed tomatoes – I like the ones that have less sodium.
Italian seasoning – or a blend of dried oregano, basil and parsley.
Heavy cream – I use heavy cream, but you can also use cream with a lower fat percentage.
Parmesan cheese, shredded
Mozzarella cheese, sliced
Fresh basil, chopped

Three chicken breasts on a speckled plate.

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.

2. Cut each breast in half horizontally into two thinner cutlets. Alternately, place the chicken under a layer of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness.

3. Season chicken breast with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

4. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to a large skillet.

5. Heat over medium until the oil starts to sizzle.

Raw chicken breast with seasoning in a cast iron skillet.

6. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.

Cooked chicken breast with Italian seasoning in a cast iron skillet.

7. Flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

8. Remove the cooked chicken to a tray and cover to keep warm.

9. Repeat with any remaining cutlets.

10. Add garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant.

Tomato sauce swirled with cream and seasoning in a cast iron skillet.

11. Combine tomatoes, seasoning, basil, and parmesan in the pan.

Creamy tomato sauce in a cast iron skillet.

12. Stir and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.

13. Add chicken and plate juices back to the pan and spoon the sauce over the chicken.

A cast iron pan with tomato sauce topped with rounds of mozzarella cheese.

14. Place the mozzarella on top of the sauce and put the skillet into an oven heated to 375 F.

15. Cook for 10 minutes, until the chicken is heated through and the cheese has melted.

Serve over noodles, cauliflower rice or garlic rice.

Variations

If you like it spicy, add in some red pepper flakes.
While I think fresh garlic cloves are best, you could try garlic powder instead. Adjust the amounts according to your tastes.
Add fresh spinach or chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Use your favorite grocery store marinara sauce.
Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving.

Tips and Tricks

Try this easy recipe with boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
If your sauce gets too thick, you can add a splash of extra cream, chicken broth, or water to thin it out.
Be sure your chicken is fully cooked, check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
Store any leftover chicken in the fridge in an airtight container.

Whip up this creamy tomato chicken skillet for a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy!

More Easy Chicken Skillet Recipes

Try one of these recipes for a quick weeknight dinner!

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