Creamy Tomato Chicken (Ready in 30 Minutes!)

Craving a restaurant-quality meal without the fuss? This Creamy Tomato Chicken is your answer. It’s a luscious, comforting, and incredibly flavorful one-pan dish that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner hero.

We combine tender, golden-brown chicken breasts with a rich and velvety tomato cream sauce, infused with garlic, Italian herbs, and a hint of spinach. It’s a simple recipe that delivers a truly impressive result. You’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner!

This dish is designed for busy home cooks who refuse to compromise on flavor. Let’s dive in and make a meal your whole family will request again and again.

Why This Creamy Tomato Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try

If you need more convincing, here’s why this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen:

• One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means minimal cleanup. It’s the perfect solution for a hassle-free cooking experience.
• Ready in 30 Minutes: From prep to plate, this entire meal is ready in half an hour. It’s faster than takeout and infinitely more satisfying.
• Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to create the rich, luxurious sauce. No complicated steps or hard-to-find items here.
• Incredibly Versatile: This chicken is perfect over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, and you can easily customize it with different veggies or spices. For a truly seamless meal, check out this one-pan creamy tomato chicken pasta version.

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.

For the Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Two large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally to create four thinner cutlets. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
• All-Purpose Flour: Just a light coating for dredging. It helps create a beautiful golden crust and slightly thickens the sauce.
• Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to season the chicken perfectly.
• Olive Oil & Butter: A combination of extra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter for pan-searing the chicken, providing the best flavor and a golden-brown crust.

For the Creamy Tomato Sauce

• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor.
• Crushed Tomatoes: One can of high-quality crushed tomatoes provides the perfect sauce base.
• Heavy Cream: This is the key to the sauce’s luxurious, creamy texture.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that adds classic Italian flavor.
• Fresh Spinach: A few handfuls of fresh spinach wilt beautifully into the sauce, adding color and nutrients.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce, adding a salty, nutty flavor that ties everything together.

How to Make Creamy Tomato Chicken Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps to create a stunning one-pan meal.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel. In a shallow dish, mix the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the chicken cutlets. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
3. Start the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Build the Flavor: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Make it Creamy: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Combine and Finish: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until it has wilted into the sauce. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.

Tips for the Best Creamy Tomato Chicken

Want to elevate your dish even further? Here are a few expert tips:

• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure each piece gets a beautiful, even sear.
• Use Fresh Parmesan: For the smoothest sauce, use a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
• Let the Chicken Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving keeps it juicy and tender.
• Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic.

Delicious Variations to Try

• Sun-Dried Tomato Twist: Add 1/4 cup of chopped, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce along with the garlic for a deeper, tangier flavor profile, similar to a classic Tuscan chicken dish.
• Mushroom Medley: Sauté sliced cremini mushrooms in the skillet after removing the chicken and before adding the garlic.
• Add White Wine: For a touch of elegance, deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio) after cooking the garlic, and let it reduce by half before adding the tomatoes.

What to Serve with Creamy Tomato Chicken

This versatile dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve it over pasta (like penne or fettuccine), fluffy white rice, or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. For a lighter meal, it’s fantastic with zucchini noodles or a side of steamed vegetables. For an extra pop of flavor, consider serving it with a simple roasted cherry tomato sauce on the side.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store any leftover creamy tomato chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Delicious Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love exploring other easy and delicious chicken dinners. For another fantastic one-pan option, try this One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken. Or, for a cozy and comforting meal, this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is a guaranteed winner.

Enjoy Your Masterpiece!

We hope you love this Creamy Tomato Chicken as much as we do. It’s a testament to the fact that simple, high-quality ingredients can create something truly special. If you make this recipe, we’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest. Happy cooking!

Creamy Tomato Chicken Recipe

FL Recipes

Creamy Tomato Chicken (Ready in 30 Minutes!)

This Creamy Tomato Chicken is the ultimate 30-minute, one-pan meal. Tender chicken cutlets are simmered in a rich, velvety tomato cream sauce with garlic, herbs, and spinach for a restaurant-quality dinner any night of the week.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian-American

Calories: 580

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced horizontally into 4 cutlets
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 cups fresh spinach packed
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Shallow Dish For dredging the chicken.

Method

 

1. Pat the chicken cutlets dry. In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the mixture, ensuring a light and even coat.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
6. Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted. Return the chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer for 2-3 minutes to heat through before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalProtein: 38gFat: 42gFiber: 3g

Notes

Tip 1: For the smoothest sauce, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded varieties can sometimes result in a grainy texture.
Tip 2: Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken; cook in batches if needed to get a perfect golden-brown crust.
Tip 3: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a subtle kick of heat.

Keyword 30 minute meals,creamy tomato chicken,one pan chicken

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