One-Skillet Chicken with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce: Your New Favorite 30-Minute Weeknight Meal
Are you ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine? Imagine a dish that’s rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor, yet requires only one skillet and is ready in just 30 minutes. Stop dreaming, because this One-Skillet Chicken with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce is here to make that a reality. This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a culinary triumph designed for busy home cooks who refuse to compromise on taste or quality. Perfect for those evenings when you’re craving something extraordinary but have limited time, this dish promises a restaurant-quality experience with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Adore This One-Skillet Wonder
We’ve all been there: it’s the middle of the workweek, you’re exhausted, and the thought of cooking a complex meal feels utterly daunting. This is precisely why “One-Skillet Wednesday” should absolutely be a thing! This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a weeknight savior. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- Unbeatable Convenience: True to its name, this dish cooks entirely in a single skillet, drastically cutting down on cleanup time. Fewer dishes mean more time for relaxation and less time scrubbing!
- Lightning Fast: From prep to plate, you’re looking at about 30 minutes. This makes it faster than most takeout options, and infinitely more satisfying.
- Incredible Flavor Profile: The star of the show is undeniably the rich, velvety tomato basil cream sauce. Infused with aromatic garlic, sun-dried tomato pesto, and a hint of red pepper flakes, it’s a symphony of savory, tangy, and creamy notes that perfectly complements the tender chicken.
- Versatile Chicken Choice: Whether you prefer the lean goodness of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or the succulent richness of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, this recipe works beautifully with either. This flexibility allows you to tailor the meal to your preference or what you have on hand.
- Effortlessly Impressive: Despite its simplicity, this dish looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated. It’s the kind of meal you can proudly serve to guests, or simply enjoy as a luxurious treat for yourself and your family.
This recipe builds on the success of my popular One-Skillet Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce, offering a delightful new twist on the one-pan concept. Because everyone needs more than one fantastic chicken dinner in their arsenal, right? With this recipe, we’re keeping the one-pan magic alive, but introducing a whole new world of flavor that will leave your taste buds singing.
The Heart of the Dish: Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Cream Sauce
The soul of this chicken dinner lies in its incredibly rich and flavorful cream sauce. This isn’t just any sauce; it’s a vibrant, aromatic concoction built around the exquisite taste of sun-dried tomato basil pesto. If you haven’t ventured into the world of sun-dried tomato pesto before, prepare to be amazed! It offers a concentrated burst of sweet, tangy, and savory notes that elevate the entire dish. You can easily find it in most grocery stores, usually alongside the traditional basil pesto in the pasta sauce or deli aisle. Alternatively, for an even fresher flavor, you can whip up your own homemade version with my simple recipe here.
But what do you do with any leftover pesto? It’s incredibly versatile! Beyond this chicken dish, it makes a fantastic sandwich spread, a vibrant addition to scrambled eggs, or a flavorful stir-in for pasta salads. And, as a special tip, if you loved my Homemade Minestrone Soup, try stirring a spoonful of this pesto into it for an extra layer of depth! Everyone who has tried it absolutely raves about the added complexity.
Gathering Your Simple Ingredients
One of the beauties of this recipe is its straightforward ingredient list. You likely have many of these staples in your pantry already, making this a perfect impromptu meal. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Chicken: Four boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs form the protein base. Pounding them to a ½-inch thickness ensures even cooking and tenderness.
- Aromatics: Diced red onions (or shallots for a milder flavor) and minced garlic create a foundational layer of aromatic flavor, building depth from the very first step.
- The Sauce Essentials: Chicken broth provides the liquid base, while sun-dried tomato basil pesto delivers that signature tangy-sweet complexity. Heavy cream is added at the end for luxurious richness, and a touch of butter enriches the texture.
- Flavor Boosters: Red pepper flakes introduce a gentle warmth, adjustable to your preferred spice level. Freshly chopped parsley or basil adds a pop of color and herbaceous freshness, perfect for garnish.
- Optional Game Changer: Capers! I can’t stress enough how much capers elevate this dish. Their briny, slightly salty, and tangy bite provides a wonderful contrast to the creamy sauce, cutting through the richness beautifully. Trust me on this one; once you add capers, you won’t go back!
With these simple yet powerful ingredients, you’re well on your way to creating a truly memorable meal. The synergy between them is what makes this tomato basil cream chicken so incredibly irresistible.
Mastering the Cream Sauce: A Foolproof Method
Just look at that smooth consistency on the tomato basil cream sauce! It’s pure perfection, and I apologize if my excessive use of emojis seems over the top, but you’ll completely understand when you taste this for yourself. Achieving such a silky, luxurious sauce is surprisingly simple, but there’s one critical rule you absolutely must follow:
Remember how apprehensive I was about adding heavy cream to a lemon-based sauce in my previous recipe? The fear of a broken, curdled cream sauce was real, leaving me with icicles in my stomach every time! This time, with the acidity from the sun-dried tomato pesto, that fear lingered. However, I’ve conquered the cream sauce monster! Now, I laugh in the face of cream sauces everywhere, armed with the knowledge of this one simple trick:
THE TRICK: DO NOT LET THE SAUCE BOIL ONCE YOU’VE ADDED THE CREAM.
It truly is that simple. Once the heavy cream is incorporated, you want to gently heat the sauce, allowing it to warm through and thicken slightly, but never, ever let it come to a rolling boil. High heat and rapid boiling can cause the milk proteins in cream to separate, leading to a curdled, unappetizing texture. By keeping the heat low and whisking gently, your sauce will come out beautifully smooth and creamy every single time. It’s a game-changer, I promise! This foolproof method ensures a consistently luscious sauce that will impress everyone at your table.
Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings
This One-Skillet Chicken with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. My personal favorite way to serve this dish is over a generous bed of delicate angel hair pasta. The thin strands are perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce. But don’t limit yourself!
Consider these delicious alternatives:
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate comfort food pairing, allowing the rich sauce to mingle with fluffy potatoes.
- Fluffy Rice or Quinoa: A lighter option that still provides a great base for the sauce. Brown rice or quinoa adds extra nutrients.
- Crusty Bread: Absolutely essential for mopping up any leftover sauce – you won’t want a single drop to go to waste!
- Roasted Vegetables: A side of roasted asparagus, broccoli, or green beans provides a fresh, slightly crisp counterpoint to the creamy chicken.
- Simple Side Salad: A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the dish beautifully.
No matter how you choose to serve it, I’m envisioning lots of hugs, kisses, and high-fives in your future once your family tastes this masterpiece. Make yourself a little happy tonight with this tomato basil cream sauce-smothered one-skillet chicken dinner. It’s a meal that truly delivers on flavor, comfort, and convenience, making it ideal for any occasion.
One Skillet Chicken with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
Creamy, luxurious and made in one skillet! This tender skillet chicken is topped with a super creamy tomato basil cream sauce, infused with sun-dried tomato pesto and a hint of garlic. Make it with boneless chicken breasts or succulent chicken thighs, you just can’t go wrong with this quick, flavorful, and easy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomato basil pesto (homemade or store bought)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ cup diced red onions (or shallots)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon capers (optional, but highly recommended!)
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Using a meat mallet, gently pound down the chicken breasts or thighs into a uniform ½ inch thickness. This ensures even cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- In a 2-cup measuring cup or a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, sun-dried tomato basil pesto, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Whisk thoroughly until the pesto is mostly dissolved and well combined. Set aside.
- Position an oven rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
- Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron or stainless steel works best) over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and allow them to brown nicely for 2-3 minutes per side. Don’t worry if the chicken isn’t cooked through completely at this stage; it will finish cooking in the oven. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a clean plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced red onions (or shallots) to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until slightly softened and fragrant. Pour in the prepared chicken broth mixture. Using a whisk or a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any flavorful brown bits (this is called deglazing and adds immense depth to your sauce). Let the sauce simmer and reduce for about 8-10 minutes, or until approximately ⅓ of the sauce remains and it has visibly thickened.
- When the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the skillet from the flame. Add the butter and whisk vigorously until it melts completely and is incorporated into the sauce, making it extra silky. With the skillet still off the direct heat, add the heavy cream and whisk to combine until smooth. Place the skillet back over a very low flame for just 30 seconds to warm through, being extremely careful to NOT ALLOW THE SAUCE TO BOIL. Remove from heat immediately.
- Return the partially cooked chicken pieces to the pan, nestling them into the rich cream sauce. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the chicken. Stir in the capers, if using.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-8 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
- Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley or basil, and serve warm with your favorite sides.
Notes
- For the best and most even cooking results, it’s crucial to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs that are approximately the same thickness. Pounding them down to about ½ inch is highly recommended, as it ensures they cook evenly and remain tender. Thicker chicken pieces may require additional cooking time in the oven. Always check for an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) for safe consumption.
- When making the sauce, remember the golden rule: never let the cream boil. Gentle simmering is key to a smooth, uncurdled sauce.
- If you don’t have red onions or shallots, yellow onion can be used, but red onions or shallots offer a slightly sweeter, milder flavor profile that complements the sauce beautifully.
Have you made this recipe?
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Is this a good choice for you? Absolutely!
If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful, and easy dinner solution that promises minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction, then this One-Skillet Chicken with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce is unequivocally a perfect choice for you. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into even the busiest of schedules, proving that delicious home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Give it a try, and prepare to be delighted!
