This creamy skillet tomato chicken brings together juicy chicken breasts, warm cherry and sun‑dried tomatoes, and a rich, luxurious cream sauce—all in one pan for effortless cooking and clean-up. With vibrant spinach wilted into the velvety sauce and a sprinkle of fresh basil and Parmesan, it’s a vibrant, comforting meal perfect any night of the week.
Versatile and quick to make, this dish marries bright Mediterranean flavors with cozy, homestyle richness. Serve it over pasta, rice, or alongside crusty bread to soak up every last drop—and watch it become a fast family favorite.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ lb)
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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2 Tbsp olive oil
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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½ cup sun‑dried tomatoes (in oil), drained & chopped
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½ cup dry white wine (optional)
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¾ cup chicken stock
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½ cup heavy cream
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¼ cup grated Parmesan
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2 cups fresh spinach
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2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Directions:
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Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Stir in cherry tomatoes and sun‑dried tomatoes, cook 2–3 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften.
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Pour in white wine to deglaze, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 1 minute.
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Add chicken stock and heavy cream; stir gently and let simmer 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Return chicken to skillet, nestle into sauce, add spinach, and simmer 2–3 minutes until wilted and chicken reaches 165 °F.
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Sprinkle Parmesan over top, garnish with fresh basil, and serve immediately.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Kcal: ~520 kcal per serving | Servings: 4
The Appeal of Skillet Tomato Chicken Breasts
Skillet tomato chicken breasts are a perfect example of comfort food meeting convenience. This dish combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with the bright, sweet flavors of cherry tomatoes and the intense umami of sun-dried tomatoes. Cooked all in one pan, it’s a meal that offers both depth of flavor and minimal cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual weekend dinners. The creamy sauce adds a luxurious texture and rich taste that transforms simple ingredients into something truly special.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its balance of ingredients. The acidity from fresh and sun-dried tomatoes cuts through the richness of the cream and Parmesan cheese, while the fresh basil and spinach add freshness and a pop of color. This layering of flavors makes every bite satisfying and well-rounded. It’s a dish that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to prepare.
Nutritional Benefits
Chicken breast is a lean protein powerhouse, providing essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair and overall health. Using skinless, boneless chicken breasts keeps the dish lower in fat, while still delivering hearty protein content. Tomatoes, both fresh and sun-dried, offer a generous dose of antioxidants, vitamins C and A, and lycopene—a powerful antioxidant linked to various health benefits including heart health and cancer prevention.
Spinach adds an additional boost of nutrients like iron, vitamin K, and folate, making this dish not only flavorful but also nutritious. The addition of cream and Parmesan contributes fats that aid in nutrient absorption and enhance satiety, helping you feel full longer. While this meal is indulgent in texture and taste, it can fit into a balanced diet especially when paired with whole grains or vegetables.
Versatility and Adaptations
One of the greatest strengths of skillet tomato chicken breasts is how adaptable the recipe is. The base flavors lend themselves well to numerous variations depending on your dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt, reducing the saturated fat content while maintaining creaminess. For a dairy-free alternative, omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese substitute. The wine used to deglaze the pan can be skipped or replaced with extra chicken stock if you prefer an alcohol-free dish.
Adding different vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini can further enhance the nutritional profile and introduce more textures. Herbs like thyme or oregano can replace or supplement basil to shift the flavor profile toward a more herbal or Mediterranean style. This flexibility means the recipe can easily be customized for a variety of tastes and occasions.
Cooking Tips for Best Results
To ensure the chicken breasts remain juicy and tender, it’s important not to overcook them. Searing the chicken over medium-high heat until golden on each side helps to lock in moisture. Finishing the cooking process by simmering in the sauce allows the flavors to meld while keeping the chicken succulent.
Using a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan can help distribute heat evenly, preventing hotspots that might cause burning. Allowing the sauce to reduce slightly before adding the chicken back into the pan ensures it thickens to a luscious consistency without becoming watery.
When it comes to seasoning, layering the salt and pepper both before and during cooking helps build complexity. Don’t be afraid to taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as it simmers. Fresh herbs like basil should always be added at the end to preserve their brightness and aroma.
Serving Suggestions
This skillet tomato chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Over a bed of al dente pasta or creamy mashed potatoes, it becomes a hearty main course. Serving it with crusty bread allows you to soak up every bit of the flavorful sauce, making the meal feel indulgent and satisfying.
For a lighter approach, serve the chicken alongside roasted or steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad. This makes the meal lower in carbs but still well-rounded and filling. Rice, quinoa, or couscous also complement the creamy tomato sauce nicely, offering textural contrast and additional bulk.
Garnishing the dish with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of good-quality olive oil, or a handful of toasted pine nuts can elevate the presentation and add interesting flavors and crunch.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Weeknights
Weeknight dinners often require a balance of speed, simplicity, and taste. This skillet tomato chicken recipe meets all these criteria. It requires minimal preparation and cooks quickly in one pan, significantly reducing cleanup time. The use of common pantry ingredients like canned or jarred sun-dried tomatoes, chicken stock, and cream means you can whip it up with little advanced planning.
Additionally, the dish is hearty enough to satisfy hungry family members or guests but refined enough to serve for casual entertaining. Its vibrant colors and fresh flavors make it appealing visually and on the palate, turning an everyday dinner into a meal that feels special.
The Role of Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes are a key ingredient in this recipe, contributing a concentrated tomato flavor that is sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky. Unlike fresh tomatoes, they offer an intense umami punch, which helps to deepen the flavor of the sauce without adding acidity. Because they are preserved in oil, they also add richness and a subtle fruitiness.
Incorporating sun-dried tomatoes balances the sweetness of fresh cherry tomatoes and complements the creamy texture of the sauce. Their chewy texture contrasts nicely with the tender chicken and wilted spinach, adding complexity to each bite. If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute with roasted red peppers or even a spoonful of tomato paste, though the flavor profile will differ slightly.
Conclusion
Skillet tomato chicken breasts are a quintessential dish that brings together ease, flavor, and nutrition in one harmonious package. The marriage of succulent chicken with sweet and tangy tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a creamy, cheesy sauce creates a meal that’s both comforting and vibrant. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or simply yourself, this recipe is flexible enough to accommodate different tastes and dietary needs.
Its one-pan simplicity makes it an ideal choice for busy nights, while the depth of flavor and elegant presentation make it worthy of sharing at the dinner table. With the ability to adapt ingredients and sides, this dish can easily become a staple in your weekly meal rotation. If you’re looking for a meal that’s delicious, satisfying, and effortlessly elegant, this skillet tomato chicken recipe is sure to become a favorite.