This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Tomato Basil Chicken is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels effortless yet tastes like something special. Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts are smothered in buttery blistered tomatoes, fresh basil, and a hint of garlic for a dish that’s as aromatic as it is satisfying. This garlic tomato basil chicken recipe shows just how simple ingredients can create bold flavor, and you can even turn it into a creamy tomato basil chicken variation if you’re craving extra richness.

Top view of Garlic Tomato Basil Chicken in a pan

What Makes This Recipe Work

This Tomato Basil Chicken is all about fresh, bold flavors coming together in under 30 minutes. Juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared until golden, then paired with garlic, sweet blistered tomatoes, and plenty of fresh basil to create a dish that feels both comforting and light. It’s a simple yet elevated tomato basil chicken recipe you’ll keep on repeat.

What really makes this dish shine is its versatility. You can enjoy it as a classic garlic tomato basil chicken with a buttery sauce or add cream to transform it into a decadent creamy tomato basil chicken that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Either way, it’s a no-fuss meal that looks and tastes like it took far more effort than it did.

What Goes Into Tomato Basil Chicken

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Flat lay photos of ingredient shot of olive oil. chicken breast fillets, grape tomatoes, garlic powder, fresh basil, garlic, salt, pepper, butter

This Tomato Basil Chicken recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that bring out the best of fresh summer flavors.

  • Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken fillets are the hearty base of this dish, seared until golden and juicy.
  • Grape Tomatoes: When cooked, they blister and release their natural sweetness, creating a buttery sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
  • Fresh Basil: Adds a fragrant, peppery freshness that balances the richness of the chicken and tomatoes.
  • Garlic: Whether minced or in larger slices, garlic infuses the dish with bold, savory depth that makes every bite irresistible.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

How To Make Tomato Basil Chicken

Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  1. Prep and Pound: Place chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment paper and pound them lightly until even in thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high. Cook the chicken for 6 minutes per side until golden.
  1. Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high. Cook the chicken for 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
Add the remaining butter and oil to the pan and cook the garlic.
  1. Cook the Garlic: Add the remaining oil and butter to the pan and let melt together. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly golden.
Add the grape tomatoes and cook.
  1. Blister the Tomatoes: Add the grape tomatoes and cook for two minutes, stirring occasionally. They should just begin to soften and release some of their juices.
Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the tomato and garlic mixture over the top.
  1. Combine Everything: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the tomato and garlic mixture over the top. Stir through the basil and season with a little more salt and pepper if needed.
Transfer the chicken to plates with plenty of the tomato basil sauce on top.
  1. Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the chicken to plates with plenty of the tomato basil sauce on top. Serve with rice, pasta, salad, or garlic bread, and add a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired.

A slice of Shrimp Avocado Garlic Bread makes an unexpected but irresistible side. The creamy avocado and tender shrimp add richness that soaks up the buttery tomato basil sauce perfectly, giving you a restaurant-worthy pairing that still feels simple and comforting at home.

If you’d rather keep things light, pair the chicken with Spinach and Ricotta Zucchini Cannelloni or a refreshing Avocado Tomato Corn Salad. Both sides echo the freshness of the blistered tomatoes while adding their own creamy, vibrant textures that balance the savory garlic flavors in the dish.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead Of Breasts For Tomato Basil Chicken?

Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully in this tomato basil chicken recipe. They’re juicier and more forgiving, just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they cook through.

What’s The Best Way To Blister The Tomatoes?

Cook the tomatoes in butter and olive oil over medium-high heat until they just begin to soften and burst. This gives your garlic tomato basil chicken its signature sweetness and depth.

What Pasta Goes Best With Tomato Basil Chicken?

This dish pairs well with spaghetti, penne, or even creamy orzo. The sauce clings beautifully to pasta, making it a complete meal without much effort.

Zoom in image of Garlic Tomato Basil Chicken
5 from 37 votes

Garlic Tomato Basil Chicken

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 serves
Grape tomatoes burst and cook through a buttery garlic sauce in this Garlic Tomato Basil Chicken recipe! You'll have dinner on the table in minutes!
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 
 

  • 4 chicken breasts fillets skinless and boneless
  • 1 pinch salt to season
  • 1 pinch pepper to season
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon butter divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil divided
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil shredded
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic minced, or 6 large cloves of garlic

Instructions 

  • Lightly pound chicken breasts between 2 sheets of parchment paper until they are all the same thickness. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons of oil and 2 teaspoons of butter in a skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Fry breasts on both sides until golden browned and completely cooked through (about 5-6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your fillets). Once cooked, transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
  • Heat remaining butter and oil in the pan. Fry garlic until fragrant (about one minute). Add the tomatoes and cook for two minutes, or until they just begin to soften. Turn off the heat and stir through basil.
  • Season with any extra salt and pepper, if needed. Add the chicken back into the pan, and spoon the pan juices and tomato/garlic mixture all over the chicken!
  • Perfect to serve with a salad, garlic bread, rice or pasta! 
    Serve with balsamic glaze for extra flavour! (Use store bought, or bring 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar to a simmer over low heat until thickened.)

Notes

*If your chicken breasts are larger than 200 grams each (or 6 ounces), you will need only two chicken breasts. Halve them horizontally to make four fillets.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 1.035mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this? Leave a comment below!

You might also like

Karina in a white and black dress with her hair blowing back, standing in front of her cooktop, cooking salmon in a pan

Get a free eBook!

Subscribe to Cafe Delites FOR FREE and receive recipes straight into your inbox!

Karina eating butter chicken from a gold fork out of a bowl with a nann bread on the side.

Hey Good Food Lovers! It’s nice to see you! My name is Karina. Welcome to Cafe Delites, my beloved space for the last 10 years where my passion for food has flourished and connected millions!

5 from 37 votes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

44 Comments

  1. Lucilla says:

    5 stars
    Really tasty way to eat chicken. Had a glut of very ripe home grown tomatoes and basil. This was a great way to use them

  2. Jennifer M says:

    5 stars
    Excellent dish! Added the balsamic vinegar and my family loved it!

  3. CAROL HUFFSTETLER says:

    5 stars
    LOVED THIS. EVEN MY GRANDSON LOVED IT.THIS WILL BE A REPEAT FOR SURE.

  4. Lexi says:

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe! This was a meal that came together very quickly and was simple but was so flavorful. I love a healthy, high protein dinner that I can make quickly during the busy week. I made the recipe exactly as written and it turned out great. My husband loved it which always makes me happy! Will definitely make it again and again!

  5. Kari Owens says:

    5 stars
    This was absolutely amazing!! Simple to make yet gives off fancy restaurant vibes. 10/10 would definitely recommend, and will be putting this in our monthly rotation without hesitation. THANK YOU!!

  6. Jenna says:

    5 stars
    The Garlic-Tomatoe-Basil Chicken was absolutely DELICIOUS. Absolutely will being making this often!

  7. Tiffany says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I had so many tomatoes from our garden and we are leaving for vacation tomorrow so I wanted to use them up. We also added Burrata cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Definitely use fresh garlic! So much better than the store bought that comes chopped. Very easy and simple recipe

    Thank you!

  8. Karen says:

    5 stars
    I don’t comment on recipes very often but this was delicious. I used less tomatoes because I was afraid my boys (who don’t like tomatoes) would complain but they LOVED it. Everyone (my husband, four kids, and a visiting friend) wanted more but there was none left. Great job with this recipe!!

  9. Kathleen Rodriguez says:

    5 stars
    Just made this recipe for dinner. Amazing!! Thank you for sharing absolutely delicious!