Description
Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken cutlets simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and fragrant basil. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients to create a luxurious meal bursting with Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- Flour (for dredging)
Cooking Fat:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 small handful fresh basil, chopped or torn
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner cutlets. Sprinkle the cutlets evenly with garlic powder, and season generously with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the floured chicken cutlets and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Make the sauce base: Lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well and let the mixture bubble for about 30 seconds while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This step enhances the sauce’s flavor by incorporating those caramelized bits.
- Create the creamy tomato basil sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, chopped tomato, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle bubble. Return the chicken cutlets to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer for about 5 more minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid boiling aggressively. Taste and season with extra salt and pepper if necessary.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and Greek yogurt, but the sauce won’t be as rich.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor, but dried basil can be used if fresh is unavailable, adding about 1 teaspoon instead of a small handful.
- Serve this dish over cooked pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer uncovered before adding the chicken back in.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to maintain a nice sear.
