Creamy Tomato Chicken Skillet with Fresh Parmesan
This Creamy Tomato Chicken Skillet with Fresh Parmesan is a quick, one-pan dinner that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, creamy tomato sauce enhanced by fresh Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, it offers a comforting and flavorful meal that’s easy to customize and sure to please the whole family.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
- Prepare and Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Build the Sauce: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the canned diced tomatoes with their juices, stirring well to scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Create the Creamy Tomato Base: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continuously stir until the Parmesan melts fully and the sauce becomes creamy and silky. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.
- Return Chicken to the Skillet: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the sauce in the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken, cover the skillet, and cook on low heat for 7-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil and/or extra Parmesan cheese over the top. Serve immediately alongside your favorite sides to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking and tender texture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better flavor and melting texture.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken to lock in juices and develop caramelized flavor.
- Simmer chicken gently in the sauce to keep it juicy and tender.
- For a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the richness will lessen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: creamy tomato chicken, skillet chicken recipe, Parmesan chicken, one-pan dinner, quick chicken recipe, creamy chicken sauce, Italian chicken skillet