Description
Tomato Basil Pasta with Chicken is a fresh and flavorful dish combining tender chicken pieces, ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a quick, protein-packed weeknight meal that balances ease with elegance.
Ingredients
Protein
- Chicken breasts or thighs (boneless, skinless) – about 1 lb (450g)
Vegetables & Herbs
- Fresh tomatoes (plum or cherry) – 2 cups, diced
- Fresh basil leaves – 1 cup, roughly chopped
- Garlic cloves – 3 cloves, minced
Pasta
- Pasta of your choice (spaghetti, penne, or linguine) – 8 oz (225g)
Fats & Oils
- Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
Dairy
- Parmesan cheese – ½ cup, grated
Seasonings
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional) – ¼ teaspoon or to preference
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and dice fresh tomatoes, roughly chop basil leaves, and mince garlic cloves. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make the Tomato Basil Sauce: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes and cook until softened and juices release, about 5 minutes. Stir in chopped basil, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Return chicken to skillet and add drained pasta. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce. Cook for 2 more minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve with a Sprinkle of Cheese: Plate the pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients such as ripe tomatoes and fresh basil for best flavor.
- Do not overcook chicken; cook until just done to keep it juicy.
- Reserve pasta water to help create a sauce that clings well to noodles.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to match your preferred spice level.
- Allow the tomato basil sauce to rest a few minutes before combining to deepen flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Tomato basil pasta, chicken pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, gluten free pasta, chicken dinner, fresh basil recipe
