Description
This easy Tomato Chicken Pasta recipe is a quick, delicious, and comforting meal combining tender chicken, vibrant tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights and offers family-friendly flavors that are both mild and flavorful. With a simple ingredient list and customizable options, it’s a satisfying homemade dish full of rich taste and fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
Tomato Sauce
- 4 cups fresh tomatoes (chopped) or 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh basil or 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta of your choice (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
Garnish (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil drizzle
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and finely chop the onion and garlic. If using fresh tomatoes, chop them roughly or have canned crushed tomatoes ready.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed and sauté the onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the tomatoes, add herbs, and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken and develop flavors.
- Combine and Serve: Return cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce, stirring to combine. Toss in the drained pasta and mix until evenly coated. Cook briefly to warm through, then serve garnished with fresh basil and grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the chicken: cook just until no longer pink to keep it juicy.
- Save some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Add a pinch of sugar to balance acidity if tomato sauce tastes too tart.
- Use fresh basil at the end for the brightest flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg