Description
This Garlic Basil Chicken with Tomato Butter Sauce is a flavorful and easy-to-make main course featuring tender seared chicken breasts in a rich, savory tomato butter sauce infused with fresh basil and garlic. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved horizontally)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the halved chicken breasts evenly on both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to ensure flavorful meat.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook the tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to break down and release their juices.
- Deglaze and simmer: Pour in the white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavors.
- Add butter and basil: Stir in the unsalted butter until it melts and the sauce becomes glossy. Mix in the chopped fresh basil, combining well.
- Combine and finish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the sauce evenly over them. Let everything simmer together for 2 more minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the chicken warm, spooning additional sauce over the top. Optionally, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and pair with your choice of pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
- For extra richness, swirl in an additional tablespoon of butter at the end of cooking.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle heat kick.
