Name: Basil Garlic Chicken with Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Pink sea salt, to taste; Cracked black pepper, to taste; 1 tablespoon of olive oil; 3 large tomatoes on the vine, diced; 2 large cloves of garlic, minced; 1 bunch of fresh basil, diced; 2 tablespoons of salted butter; 4 ounces of spaghetti

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This basil garlic chicken is an easy skillet dinner featuring tender chicken breasts in a buttery, fresh tomato basil sauce. Made with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and plenty of garlic, it’s a flavorful meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.

Fresh summer tomatoes and basil give the sauce its bright flavor, while butter creates a rich finish that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread for soaking up every last drop.

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Ingredients for basil garlic chicken

The ingredients are really pretty simple. The recipe calls for:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pink sea salt, to taste
Cracked black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon of olive oil
3 large tomatoes on the vine, diced
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 bunch of fresh basil, diced
2 tablespoons of salted butter
4 ounces of spaghetti

Fresh herbs add so much flavor to a recipe. I used an entire bunch of basil in this creation. I used herb scissors to chop my basil so it would be ready when I need it.

To get the most out of the flavor, I added it right at the end of the cooking time. Since basil is the main seasoning for this dish, I wanted the flavor to shine.

How to make basil garlic chicken

All fresh…full of flavor, but still very simple tastes that go together beautifully. The recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Prepare the chicken breasts

This meat tenderizing step is important. First, it means that the chicken will cook more quickly. Second, (and most important), it means that the chicken will cook evenly.

Place the chicken on a silicone baking mat and cover with plastic wrap.
Pound each breast with a meat tenderizer to about 1 inch in thickness, evenly.
Season the chicken with pink sea salt and cracked black pepper to your taste.

Cook the chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the chicken for several minutes on each side, until it is cooked through and lightly browned (about 10-12 minutes total).
Set the chicken aside.

Cook the pasta

While the chicken is cooking, boil water in a large pot.
Cook the pasta according to package directions.

Make the basil garlic sauce

Let the oil cool in the frying pan for a few minutes.
Add the tomatoes.
Simmer the tomatoes until you end up with a chunky texture – about 10 minutes or so.
Stir in the garlic and butter and cook until the butter has melted.

Finish the recipe

Return the chicken to the pan and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
Just before serving time, stir the basil into the sauce.

Serving the basil garlic chicken

Drain the pasta and divide it evenly into two serving bowls.
Place the chicken breasts on top of the cooked pasta.
Spoon the sauce over the tip and enjoy!

The flavor is subtle but gets loads of flavor from the fresh tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil.

Truly worthy of any special occasion, and also perfect for a busy weeknight.

Pretty and tasty! Dig in!

You can enjoy this recipe on a gluten-free diet by substituting gluten-free pasta.

This recipe is so tasty it’s sure to become a regular rotation in your list of easy weeknight meals!

More chicken recipes

Looking for more easy chicken and pasta recipes? Try one of these:

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe – Pasta in a creamy garlic sauce.
Easy Weeknight Chicken Scallopini – Easy 30-minute meal
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken – Comfort Food Penne Pasta Recipe

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For a reminder of this recipe for buttery chicken in a basil tomato sauce, just pin this photo to one of your Pinterest cooking boards.

Admin note: This recipe for basil garlic chicken first appeared on the blog in 2016. This post has been updated with new photos, a printable recipe card, and a slideshow video.

Yield: 2 servings of basil garlic chicken

Basil Garlic Chicken with Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce

5.0 Stars (3 Reviews)

Tender chicken is simmered in a buttery, fresh tomato basil sauce with plenty of garlic for an easy skillet dinner that's ready in about 30 minutes.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pink sea salt, to taste
Cracked black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon of olive oil
3 large tomatoes on the vine, diced
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 bunch of fresh basil, diced
2 tablespoons of salted butter
4 ounces of spaghetti

Instructions

Place the chicken on a silicone baking mat and cover with plastic wrap. Pound each breast to about 1 inch in thickness, evenly.
Season the chicken with pink sea salt and cracked black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the chicken for several minutes on each side, until it is cooked through and lightly browned (about 10-12 minutes total).
Set the chicken aside.
Boil water and cook the pasta according to package directions.
Let the oil cool for a few minutes and add the tomatoes. Simmer the tomatoes until you end up with a chunky texture - about 10 minutes or so.
Stir in the garlic and butter and cook until the butter has melted.
Return the chicken to the pan and cook for a few more minutes.
Right before you are ready to serve the meal, stir the basil into the sauce.
Drain the pasta and divide it evenly into two serving bowls.
Place the chicken breasts on the cooked pasta and spoon the sauce over all. Enjoy!

Basil Garlic Chicken with Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce

Ingredients for basil garlic chicken