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One-Pan Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta

One-Pan Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta
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A quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining tender chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and perfectly cooked pasta with a rich tomato sauce, ready in under 30 minutes and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables & Herbs

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, whole or halved
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Pasta & Liquids

  • 8 oz dry pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 splash water (if needed to cover pasta)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Dairy

  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and almost cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to keep juicy.
  2. Sauté Aromatics and Tomatoes: In the same pan, add remaining olive oil if needed, then toss in minced garlic. Cook about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add whole or halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices, forming a fresh tomato sauce base.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Add dry pasta directly to the pan with the tomatoes. Pour in chicken broth and a splash of water if necessary to cover pasta completely. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 12–15 minutes.
  4. Combine & Finish: Return cooked chicken to the pan and stir to blend. Tear fresh basil leaves and add them in, allowing their aroma to infuse as pasta finishes cooking. Off heat, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and stir gently. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and tender texture.
  • Avoid over-stirring during pasta cooking to allow better liquid absorption and texture development.
  • Add fresh basil at the end for the brightest flavor.
  • Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  • Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best sauce flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan, chicken pasta, tomato basil, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/one-pan-tomato-basil-chicken-pasta/