This Easy Chicken in Tomato Sauce recipe is fast, fresh and healthy! Juicy seared chicken breasts covered with tomato sauce…with just a touch of cream to make it silky and delicious!
Chicken breasts do not have to be boring…I repeat, not boring! We eat so much chicken around here I’m surprised we don’t grow feathers and cluck. But it’s lean, quick cooking and a canvas for just about anything!
This is one of our favorite week night meals. We use canned tomatoes, which you probably already have in your pantry and serve it along side a bit of spaghetti or rice.
I was feeling skinny and decided to use a bit of cream. 1/8 of a cup is all it takes. We used heavy cream but half and half will do the trick. Or just omit entirely and go basic. Either way, you are going to love this easy ONE PAN MEAL!
How to make this Tomato Sauce and Chicken Dinner:
Sear your chicken using my quick method. Rub the oil right on the chicken rather than pour excess oil into the pan. Much less splatter and less fat in the pan.
The trick to perfectly seared chicken is to NOT TOUCH IT until it is ready. It will tell you when it’s time, chicken is so smart. If you try to turn it and it sticks.. it’s not ready. Pretty simple. Once you try this technique you will never go back to adding oil directly to the pan.
Remove the chicken after searing. It will not be completely cooked but will continue it’s journey in the tomato sauce.
Now add a tablespoon of olive oil into the skillet to saute your onion and garlic. Add your tomato puree and roasted red tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
Once your tomato sauce has been simmering for a bit, add your Italian herbs, salt ,pepper and that bit of cream. Taste for seasoning! Salt? Pepper? It will vary based on how much salt your canned tomatoes have…so tasting is the only way!
Place your seared partially cooked chicken back in the skillet to finish cooking. Chicken is perfect at 165 degrees. If you don’t have a digital thermometer put it on your list of must haves! It’s cheap and cheerful and will help you from overcooking all chicken, steak and fish.
We like to serve this with a side of spaghetti or rice and a simple side salad.
We have been making this dish for years and have yet to get tired of it!
Great add-ins are chopped carrot, peppers and roasted red peppers.
A few of our favorite chicken breast recipes are this simple Chicken Breasts with Easy Mushroom Pan Sauce
or this Seared Chicken in Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Sauce that you mix up in a blender using store bought jarred roasted red peppers! It’s one of my personal favorites!
To Easy Chicken Dinners!
Clink!
Kathi
What do you think about this recipe?Have questions?Comment below!Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, and connect with us on Instagram and tag your @Laughingspatula recipes with #laughingspatula,while you’re at it…We love to see your pics!
Hey and check out this video of us making this easy one pan meal!
Easy Chicken in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 large garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 14 ounce can crushed tomatoes tomato sauce can be substituted
- 1 14 ounce can roasted diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/8 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 2 teaspoons italian seasoning or 1 tsp dried basil and oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 12 ounces cooked spaghetti or rice prepared according to package directions
Instructions
- Heat large skillet on medium high heat.
- While skillet heats, rub chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
- Place prepared chicken into skillet and do not touch for 3-4 minutes or until chicken releases easily from the pan and forms a nice crust.
- Remove seared to chicken and set aside. (the chicken will not be fully cooked but will continue to cook in the tomato sauce later).
- Reduce heat of skillet to medium. Add one tablespoon of olive oil. Add onion and saute until translucence. 3-4 minutes. Add chopped garlic and cook an additional minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, drained diced roasted tomatoes, heavy cream and italian seasoning to skillet. Bring to a simmer. Add chicken back to pan and simmer for 20 minutes or until chicken reaches 165 degrees.
- Prepare pasta or rice according to package directions and serve with sauce and chicken. Sprinkle with grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might receive a very small commission, at no additional cost to you, should you chose to purchase that linked item. I only link to items I know and trust. Clink!
Do you only sear one side?
Hi Sue – sear both sides. I’ll update the recipe to make it easier to understand. Thanks for the note!
Found your recipe by chance as searched for chicken and tomato to use up some odds and ends. So glad I found this! It’s a super family meal and even fussy 14 year old finished the lot. So quick and easy to make even for a 70 year old who can only cook by following recipes. Will definitely do this again.
So glad you liked it Malcom, truly appreciate the 5 stars and nice note!
I just tried the recipe.. love it!!! Totally!! Absolutely easy and delightful to cook. Thankyou so much!!
Thank you Priya! I used the same recipe last night with fish and it was delicious! So glad you liked it.
This recipe is perfect family lived it and it was nice for me to cook a meal for a change great advice 100000/10
Just made this dish tonight – everyone in the family loved it – 14 year old son and 18 year old daughter actually were impressed! Thank you! In these tough times of Covid-19 it lifted my spirits to make something new that was easy to make, tasted and looked delicious and that my family really enjoyed! ????
Thank you Rosemary! What a nice note to wake up too. Stay safe and healthy!
Any substitutes for cream? Unfortunately can’t take dairy except yogurt 🙁 but love this recipe!
A dollop of yogurt would work! There are lots of non dairy options out there now!
Ha, I love the phrase “cheap and cheerful” that you used to describe a kitchen tool. LOL And the chicken looks amazing. I am pinning this one for the next time I find myself staring at chicken breasts and wondering what the heck I should make
I stole ‘cheap and cheerful’ from Rachael Ray…shhh, don’t tell! LOL! Thanks for the note!
This looks perfect for busy moms like me! You had me at easy and in one pan. I love these types of meals that will fill my kids up and not take too much time.
This will make a perfect weeknight meal. We like one pot meals especially this time of year when things tend to be so busy. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the note Kelly!
What a great cosy dish! This would be a great family favourite for sure!
This looks like the easiest and tastiest weeknight dinner ever. I love having options like this for busy weekdays when I’m doing a ton of driving! And that’s pretty much every night. Can’t wait to try it
Thank you! We make this often…great flavor and not too bad on the calories!
When do you add the cream and seasonings?
Hi Jillian! With the tomatoes, before you add the chicken back to the pan.