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Chicken Pomodoro is an easy recipe with the delicious taste of Italy. Season and sear the chicken, then make a flavorful tomato sauce with onion, garlic, chicken broth, ripe tomatoes, and plenty of fresh basil. Pair with pasta, veggies, or a salad for a mouthwatering dinner that’s ready in less than 30 minutes!
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Chicken Pomodoro is a quick and easy, flavorful dish that’s made with simple, healthy ingredients. In Italian, Pomodoro translates to the word “tomato”, and this saucy chicken is just that! Season and cook the tender chicken, then make a tasty tomato sauce with minimal ingredients. You’ll love all of the bright, delicious flavors and it’s light and not too heavy.
Chicken skillet meals like this one are great for weeknight dinners. Fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil make this a perfect last minute dish because it only takes about 30 minutes, including prep time. Top with some parmesan cheese and fresh basil, then serve with spaghetti or a side of roasted veggies and wait for the rave reviews to start rolling in!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick & easy: This meal could not be simpler to whip up. It can be on your dinner table in less time than it would take to grab takeout!
- Super flavorful: You will love the fresh, Italian flavors in this chicken recipe! So simple, yet so tasty, and just like something you might order from a fancy Italian restaurant.
- Light & healthy: This meal is packed with lean protein and nutritious ingredients that contain many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For a low-carb, low-calorie option, serve with zucchini noodles or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients needed
You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this chicken Pomodoro recipe. You probably already have most of them in your kitchen! Here is everything that you’ll need:
- Chicken: You’ll need 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts. You could use boneless skinless chicken thighs if preferred.
- Seasonings: Season the chicken with kosher salt, black pepper and dried basil.
- Olive oil: For cooking the chicken and sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Onion and garlic: Sautéed onion and garlic add a delicious savory taste to this meal.
- Chicken broth: Creates the consistency of the sauce while adding flavor.
- Tomatoes: Using fresh vine tomatoes always makes tomato sauce taste much more homemade and adds complex flavor.
- Fresh basil: Fresh chopped herbs like the basil in this recipe add so much freshness!
How to make chicken pomodoro
This meal takes very little prepping! Season the chicken, chop the veggies, and get everything cooking. Dinner will be served in no time at all! Here’s how everything comes together:
- Prep chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and dried basil on both sides.
- Cook chicken: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden and almost cooked through. Set aside.
- Cook onion & garlic: Sauté the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth and cook until mostly reduced.
- Finish cooking all ingredients: Return the chicken to the pan and add the tomatoes and basil. Cook for 5 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165ºF.
Expert tips
- Similar-sized chicken: It’s best if your chicken breasts are similar in size to ensure that they all cook at the same rate.
- Check for doneness: To ensure your chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat, check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. Use an instant-read meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast to check. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can poke the thickest part and make sure that the juices run clear and you don’t see any pink.
- Make it spicy: For just a little kick of heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Different protein: Try swapping the chicken with other types of protein like shrimp or salmon. Just be aware that cook times will vary.
- Add veggies: Feel free to add in more vegetables. Artichokes, broccoli or zucchini would be delicious.
Frequently asked questions
“Pomodoro” means “tomato” in Italian, and that’s exactly what this is — a fresh tomato sauce served over juicy chicken breast. Pomodoro sauce is simple and light. It’s made from a combination of fresh tomatoes, garlic, onion, and fresh basil. Since there are so few ingredients in this recipe, you’ll want to use only the best quality ingredients for amazing taste. I highly suggest tomatoes from a garden or farmer’s market, fresh basil and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
It is very important to not cook the chicken on high heat and try to speed up the process. It is better to cook the chicken on medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. Also, be sure not to overcook the chicken, which will cause it to dry out and get a more rubbery texture.
Do not cook on high heat, instead cook on medium heat. Consider flattening the chicken before cooking. To do so, slice the chicken in half lengthwise first before flattening. Cook on medium to low heat on each side before flipping.
Serving suggestions
One of the best things about this chicken pomodoro is that it’s versatile and pairs well with a variety of different sides. Here are some delicious serving options:
- Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
- Sauteed Green Beans
- Homemade Dinner Rolls
- Parmesan Oven-Roasted Asparagus
- Baked Hasselback Potatoes
- Baked Greek Fingerling Potatoes
- Creamy Vegan Lemon Pasta
Storage recommendations
- Storing: Store the leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat your leftovers in the microwave for 60-90 seconds or until heated through.
More easy chicken recipes to try
- Chicken Puttanesca
- Chicken Fajita Pasta
- Chicken Artichoke Pasta
- Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Creamy Chicken Stew
- Chicken Corn Chowder
- Grilled Chicken Kafta
- Baked Chicken Alfredo
- Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken
- Baked Harissa Chicken
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Chicken Pomodoro
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
- cutting board
- Sharp Chef's knife
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4-6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 4 medium vine tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and dried basil on both sides.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden and almost cooked through. Set aside.
- Sauté the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth and cook until mostly reduced.
- Return the chicken to the pan and add the tomatoes and basil. Cook for 5 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165ºF.
Video
Notes
- Storing: Store the leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat your leftovers in the microwave for 60-90 seconds or until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
