One-Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta (Easy 30-Minute Meal)

Craving a rich, satisfying pasta dish without the mountain of dishes? This One-Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta is your new weeknight hero. Imagine tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a velvety, luscious tomato cream sauce all coming together in a single skillet in just 30 minutes. It’s the kind of comforting, flavorful meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare, but is simple enough for even the busiest of days. Say goodbye to kitchen chaos and hello to your new favorite dinner.

Why This One-Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe Works

You’ll fall in love with the simplicity and flavor of this dish. Cooking everything in one pan isn’t just about saving time on cleanup; it’s a technique that builds incredible depth of flavor. The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all the savory notes from the chicken, garlic, and tomatoes. The starches released from the pasta naturally thicken the sauce, creating a restaurant-quality creamy texture without any complicated steps. It’s a truly efficient and delicious way to cook.

This recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt it to your family’s tastes or what you have in the fridge. It’s a fantastic base recipe that proves you don’t need complex ingredients to create something truly special. For another amazing one-pan meal, you have to try this One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken.

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this dish lies in its simple, accessible ingredients that combine to create something spectacular. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, provide the lean protein.
• Pasta: A short pasta like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni works best as it holds the creamy sauce beautifully.
• Garlic & Onion: The essential aromatic base that builds the first layer of flavor.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes break down to create a sweet, vibrant sauce. If you love tomato-based sauces, our Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce is another must-try.
• Chicken Broth: This is the primary cooking liquid for the pasta, infusing it with savory flavor.
• Heavy Cream: The key to that ultra-creamy, luxurious texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty finish that thickens the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: A simple blend of dried herbs that adds classic Italian flavor.
• Spinach: Fresh spinach is stirred in at the end for a pop of color and added nutrients.
• Olive Oil & Butter: For sautéing the chicken and aromatics, creating a rich flavor foundation.
• Salt & Pepper: To season every layer.

How to Make One-Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta

Follow these simple steps to create a perfect one-pan meal. It’s all about layering flavors in the same skillet.

1. Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
2. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Build the Sauce: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, pressing down on them gently with a spoon to help them burst and release their juices.
4. Cook the Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the dry pasta, ensuring it’s mostly submerged. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Make it Creamy: Uncover the skillet and stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and cooked chicken. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the pasta.
6. Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.

Tips for the Perfect Creamy Tomato Sauce

A few simple tricks can elevate your sauce from good to unforgettable.

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a large, wide skillet or Dutch oven. This gives the ingredients space to cook evenly and allows the sauce to reduce properly.
• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. A block of fresh Parmesan will melt into a much smoother sauce.
• Full-Fat Cream is Key: For the richest, creamiest sauce, use heavy cream. Lighter options won’t provide the same luxurious texture and may curdle. If you’re looking for lighter crockpot meals, check out these low-fat slow cooker meals.
• Let the Sauce Simmer: After adding the cream and cheese, give the sauce a few minutes to simmer gently. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Delicious Chicken Dinners You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this one-pan wonder, you’ll love exploring our other easy and delicious chicken recipes. Perfect for busy weeknights, these dishes are family-tested and approved!

• Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
• Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

One-Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta

FL Recipes

One-Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta (Easy 30-Minute Meal)

This One-Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta is the ultimate 30-minute meal. Tender chicken and pasta are cooked in a luscious, velvety tomato cream sauce for a delicious weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup. A family favorite!

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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: 650

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 tbsp Butter unsalted
• 1 small Onion finely chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic minced
• 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes halved
• 3 cups Chicken Broth low sodium
• 8 oz Penne Pasta or other short pasta
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
• 2 cups Fresh Spinach packed
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven A 12-inch skillet is ideal.
• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 Chef's Knife

Method

 

1. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
2. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, pressing down on them gently with a spoon to help them burst and release their juices.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the dry pasta, ensuring it's mostly submerged. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
5. Uncover the skillet and stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and cooked chicken. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
6. Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalProtein: 40gFat: 30gFiber: 5g

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
Pasta Choice: Use any short pasta you like, but note that cooking times may vary slightly. Check the package directions as a guide.

Keyword creamy chicken pasta,one pan pasta,tomato cream sauce,weeknight dinner

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