I’ve been enjoying some fantastic meals lately, and I’m so excited to share two of my favorite chicken skillet recipes with you today. Both of these creamy tomato basil chicken dishes are incredibly simple to make and packed with delicious flavors that everyone will love. I think you’ll find them perfect for any day of the week.
Whether you’re looking for a classic, comforting version or a low-carb keto-friendly option, I’ve got you covered. These easy skillet meals are quick to prepare and create minimal cleanup, which is always a win in my kitchen!
Jump to Recipe:
Easy Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet
This creamy chicken skillet recipe brings together tender chicken, sweet tomatoes, and fresh basil in a rich, comforting sauce. It’s a fantastic meal that comes together quickly, making dinner easy and delicious for your family.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Creamy Chicken
- Chicken Thighs: I prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because they stay juicy and cook evenly in the skillet.
- Heavy Cream: This is what gives the sauce its wonderfully rich and smooth texture. For the best creamy result, I recommend using full-fat heavy cream.
- Fresh Basil: Add the fresh basil right at the very end of cooking. This helps keep its bright, aromatic flavor from fading.
What You Need for Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs 2 tbsp olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes 2 tbsp tomato paste 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Salt and black pepper to taste Optional: Cooked pasta or rice for serving ⏱️ Time: 30 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings How to Make Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Step 1: Sear the Chicken Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside. Step 2: Build the Tomato Sauce Lower the heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and tomato paste. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors blend. Step 3: Make it Creamy and Finish Pour in the heavy cream and stir until well combined. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce. Stir in the fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. 📝 Final NoteThis creamy tomato basil chicken is wonderful served over pasta, rice, or with some crusty bread to soak up all that yummy sauce. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Easy Keto Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet
If you’re looking for a low-carb chicken option, this keto skillet delivers all the same great flavors without the extra carbs. It’s just as creamy and satisfying, making it a perfect choice for your healthy eating plan.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Keto Chicken
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes: When choosing canned tomatoes for a keto recipe, always check the label to make sure there’s no added sugar.
- Full-Fat Cream Cheese: This helps thicken the sauce and adds extra richness and fat content, which is great for a keto diet.
- Serve with Zucchini Noodles: Instead of pasta, zucchini noodles are a wonderful low-carb alternative that pair perfectly with this sauce.
What You Need for Keto Tomato Basil Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes (no sugar added)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh spinach or zucchini noodles for serving
⏱️ Time: 35 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make Keto Tomato Basil Chicken
Step 1: Prep and Cook Chicken
Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, until no longer pink and lightly browned. Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Tomatoes
Lower the heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Create Creamy Keto Sauce
Add the softened cream cheese to the tomato sauce, stirring until it’s fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. If using, add a handful of fresh spinach and let it wilt into the sauce.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Stir in the fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, perhaps with zucchini noodles or a side salad.
📝 Final Note
To make this keto tomato basil chicken even quicker, you can cut your chicken ahead of time. It reheats well too, making it great for meal prep during the week!
