Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Succulent chicken tossed with pasta in a fresh tomato and basil sauce. A simple, satisfying Italian-inspired dish.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli
02 - Salt for pasta water

→ Chicken

03 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Tomato Basil Sauce

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 28 oz canned diced tomatoes with juice
10 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjusted to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed and roughly chopped

→ Finishing

14 - 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
15 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
03 - Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic.
04 - Pour diced tomatoes with juice, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes into the skillet. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
05 - Stir in chopped basil and cooked chicken. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese.
07 - Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one skillet while the pasta bubbles away, meaning minimal cleanup
  • The sauce comes together with pantry staples but tastes like it simmered all day
  • Perfect for that sweet spot when you want something comforting but do not want to spend hours cooking
02 -
  • Reserve that half cup of pasta water before draining, it is liquid gold for bringing your sauce together
  • Do not let the garlic brown or it will turn bitter, just 30 seconds is enough to release its fragrance
  • The sauce thickens as it stands, so if it looks too loose give it another minute or two
03 -
  • Use the best quality canned tomatoes you can find, they make all the difference in a simple sauce like this
  • Let the chicken pieces get properly golden in the pan, those browned bits add depth to the final dish
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