The Best Garlic Basil Chicken with Tomato Butter Sauce

The Ultimate Garlic Basil Chicken Recipe

What if I told you that you could create a restaurant-quality pasta dish, bursting with the fresh, vibrant flavors of a Mediterranean summer, in under 30 minutes? It sounds almost too simple to be true, doesn’t it? I used to believe that a truly spectacular sauce required hours of simmering. That all changed one evening when, faced with a handful of ripe Roma tomatoes and a craving for something both quick and luxurious, I discovered the magic of a tomato butter sauce. This garlic basil chicken recipe is the stunning result of that happy accident. It’s a testament to the idea that simple, high-quality ingredients can create something truly extraordinary.

This isn’t just another chicken and pasta dish; it’s a masterclass in flavor efficiency. We’re talking about tender, pan-seared chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta enveloped in a luscious, silky sauce made from fresh tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fresh basil, all brought together with the richness of high-quality butter. Get ready to add a new, surprisingly simple, and elegant dish to your weeknight rotation.

Your Simple Toolkit for a Stunning Meal

The beauty of this recipe lies in its short but mighty ingredient list. Each component plays a starring role in creating a symphony of fresh, summery flavors.

Timing Your Quick & Elegant Dinner

This gourmet-tasting meal comes together in a flash, making it an ideal choice for a sophisticated weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend lunch.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes

This recipe is remarkably efficient. For a complete, from-scratch chicken and pasta dish, it takes approximately 40% less time than many traditional baked pasta or multi-pot recipes, delivering a restaurant-worthy meal with impressive speed.

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta and Chicken

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown, cooked through, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board to rest.

Step 3: Build the Luscious Tomato Butter Sauce

In the same skillet you cooked the chicken in (don’t wipe it out!), reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced Roma tomatoes and the minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—this is pure flavor!

Step 4: The Magic of Butter and Basil

Add the salted butter to the skillet, allowing it to melt into the tomatoes and garlic, creating a silky, emulsified sauce. Once the butter has melted, stir in the fresh basil ribbons. Let the sauce simmer for another minute to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

By now, your pasta should be cooked. Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of the starchy pasta water. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the tomato butter sauce. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to help the sauce cling to the noodles. Slice the rested chicken breasts and serve them over the pasta, or toss the sliced chicken in with the pasta and sauce.

this now & bake later ❤️

Nutritional Insights

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving, assuming the recipe serves four:

• Calories: ~650 kcal
• Protein: ~35g
• Carbohydrates: ~55g
• Fat: ~30g
• Fiber: ~4g
• Sodium: ~600mg (will vary based on butter and added salt)

This dish offers a wonderful balance of macronutrients, with lean protein from the chicken, energy-providing carbohydrates from the pasta, and healthy fats from the olive oil.

Healthier Alternatives to Consider

While this dish is a beautiful balance of fresh ingredients, you can easily adapt it to meet specific dietary goals.

• Whole-Grain Goodness: Substitute the traditional pasta with a whole wheat or legume-based pasta (like chickpea or lentil pasta) to significantly boost the fiber and protein content.
• Go Lighter: To reduce the fat content, you can reduce the amount of butter and olive oil by a tablespoon or two each. The sauce will be less rich but still flavorful.
• Veggie-Packed: Feel free to add more vegetables to the sauce. Sliced zucchini, bell peppers, or a handful of spinach would be delicious additions. Sauté them along with the tomatoes and garlic.

Sensational Serving Suggestions

This garlic basil chicken is a complete and satisfying meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a few simple sides.

• With a Crisp Green Salad: A simple arugula or mixed green salad with a light lemon vinaigrette provides a fresh, peppery contrast to the rich sauce.
• Crusty Bread for Dipping: A slice of warm, crusty baguette or ciabatta is the perfect tool for sopping up every last bit of the incredible tomato butter sauce.
• A Glass of White Wine: A crisp, dry white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio beautifully complements the fresh tomato and basil flavors.
• A Sprinkle of Parmesan: For an extra layer of salty, umami flavor, finish the dish with a generous grating of fresh Parmesan cheese.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For a flawless dish every time, be mindful of these simple but important details:

• Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken breasts can go from juicy to dry in an instant. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 165°F (74°C) and then let them rest before slicing.
• Burning the Garlic: Burnt garlic will make the entire sauce bitter. Add it to the pan with the tomatoes and keep the heat at a medium level to ensure it cooks gently and becomes fragrant.
• Forgetting to Reserve Pasta Water: That starchy water is liquid gold! It helps to emulsify the butter and oil, creating a smooth sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
• Using Dried Basil: The magic of this dish lies in the fresh, aromatic quality of fresh basil. Dried basil has a completely different flavor profile and won’t deliver the same summery brightness.

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Meal

Leftovers of this dish are a fantastic treat for lunch the next day.

• Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Gently reheat the pasta and chicken in a skillet over low heat. You may need to add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce, as the pasta will absorb some of it upon cooling.
• Freezing: While you can freeze the cooked chicken, pasta with this type of sauce is best enjoyed fresh, as the texture can change upon thawing and reheating.

Your New 30-Minute Culinary Masterpiece

This garlic basil chicken with tomato butter sauce is the epitome of simple elegance. It proves that you don’t need a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen to create a meal that is both deeply comforting and impressively sophisticated. The fresh, vibrant flavors of tomato and basil, married with the richness of high-quality butter, create a truly memorable dish that is destined to become a favorite.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this simple recipe a try and experience just how extraordinary a few fresh ingredients can be. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more easy, elegant, and delicious recipes!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cherry tomatoes instead of Roma tomatoes?

Yes, absolutely! About a pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved, would be a perfect substitute and will create a slightly sweeter sauce.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Certainly. You can simply omit the chicken and have a delicious tomato basil pasta. To make it a heartier vegetarian meal, you could add a can of cannellini beans or some sautéed mushrooms.

Is it necessary to use a European-style butter?

While not strictly necessary, European-style butters have a higher butterfat content, which creates a richer, creamier, and more flavorful sauce. It adds a touch of luxury that really elevates the dish.

My sauce seems a bit oily. What did I do wrong?

This can happen if the sauce doesn’t emulsify properly. This is where the reserved pasta water is key. Whisking in a few tablespoons of the starchy water will help the oil and water-based ingredients (tomato juice) bind together into a smooth, cohesive sauce.