Easy chicken in tomato sauce is a one-pan meal that pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or creamy mashed potatoes. It’s quick, simple, and ideal for busy weeknights! I love serving it with a fresh salad for a complete, satisfying meal.
If you love fuss-free dinners, try this creamy spinach and pepper chicken or this easy Korean beef bulgogi bowl. Both are hearty, delicious, and ready in no time!
This chicken dish is perfect for busy days—quick, easy, and always a hit! Serve it as a main course, and it’s sure to please making it one of our favorite weeknight meals. For more easy dishes, try this zesty lemon chicken make 15-minute udon noodles or turkey mince noodles, for an Asian-inspired comforting bowl. For a veggie-packed Italian dish, try gnocchi with pesto and zucchini—it’s simple and delicious!
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💭Expert Tips
- Marinate: Let the meat sit in the seasoning for at least 15 minutes to lock in flavour and keep it juicy.
- Cook with Lid On: Simmer the protein with the lid on to ensure it stays tender and cooks evenly.
- Add Tomato Sauce Later: Stir in the tomato sauce after the meat is cooked to prevent it from becoming tough.
💗 Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under an hour, with just 5 minutes of prep.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples for a fuss-free meal.
- Family-Friendly: Nutritious and loved by both kids and adults.
- Versatile: Serve over Lebanese rice with vermicelli, traditional Romanian polenta, or Turkish bulgur pilav.
🥘 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a lean, high-protein base. Organic or free-range options are a great choice.
- Tomato Juice: Go for high-quality, low-sodium tomato juice for a rich, tangy sauce. Freshly blended tomatoes work well too.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, minced finely work great, avoid pre-minced garlic.
- Olive Oil: Use extra-virgin olive oil for sautéing—avoid blends.
- White Wine: A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works best.
- Parsley: Fresh flat-leaf parsley is perfect for garnish.
♻️ Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts: Swap for thighs (bone-in or boneless) for a juicier option, or use turkey breast for a lean alternative.
- Tomato Juice: Replace with canned crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, or passata. Freshly blended tomatoes also work well.
- Garlic: Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or ½ teaspoon of garlic paste per clove.
- Olive Oil: Substitute with avocado oil, sunflower oil, or any neutral cooking oil.
- White Wine: Replace with chicken or vegetable broth mixed with 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar or lemon juice for acidity.
- Smoked Paprika: Use regular paprika, a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat, sumac for a tangy twist, or pul biber for a smoky, slightly spicy kick.
- Parsley: Use fresh cilantro, basil, or chives.
📋 Variations
- Creamy Tomato Sauce: Stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream or coconut milk during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a rich, creamy sauce.
- Mediterranean Twist: Add ½ cup of chopped olives, capers, and a handful of spinach when you add the tomato juice for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
- Vegetable-Packed: After cooking the meat for 10 minutes, toss in diced zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms and let them simmer in the sauce until tender. You'll like this creamy chicken with spinach and peppers.
- Pollo Alla Pizzaiola: Add 1-2 tablespoons of capers and a sprinkle of Italian seasonings (like oregano, basil, and thyme) when you add the tomato juice. Top with thin slices of low-moisture mozzarella during the last 5 minutes of cooking and let the cheese melt slightly for a cheesy, Italian-inspired twist.
- Lemon Lover? Try this easy lemon chicken recipe with garlic and herbs.
- Creamy Boursin Fan? Swap the tomato sauce for a creamy Boursin cheese sauce—check out my creamy Boursin chicken for inspiration.
How To Make Easy Chicken in Tomato Sauce
This one-pan dish is a winner that’s as easy as it is delicious! Perfect for busy days, it’s a stress-free family dinner. If you love quick meals, try this creamy tomato orzo with salmon or this hearty bacon and veggie stir-fry for more one-pan magic!
Step 1: Prep the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Season and mix well.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken: Let the seasoned chicken sit for 15 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the marinated meat pieces to the skillet.
Step 4: Add Wine: Pour white wine into the pan and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Cover with a lid and cook for 20 min.
Step 5: Add Crushed Tomatoes: Remove the lid and stir in crushed tomatoes. Simmer uncovered until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
Step 6: Finish and Serve: Stir in chopped parsley, cover, and let sit for 2 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or your favourite side.
Pro Tip: For an extra boost, add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while it simmers. It adds a subtle kick!
❓FAQs
Sear the chicken breasts first to lock in flavour, then simmer them in the tomato sauce for about 20 minutes until fully cooked. This ensures tender, juicy meat and a rich, flavorful sauce.
Yes! Cooking raw chicken directly in the tomato sauce is safe and easy. Just make sure the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Let the chicken and sauce cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too much.
Creamy Chicken in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 2 cups finelly chopped tomatoes (1 can) or blended whole canned tomatoes
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
Prep the Meat:
- Place the chicken breasts on a wooden cutting board and cut them into bite-sized pieces (about 1-1.5 inches).4 chicken breasts
- Add the chicken pieces to a bowl and season with 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Grate 3 garlic cloves directly into the bowl using a fine grater (this releases more flavor!). Stir to coat the meat evenly. Let it marinate for 15 minutes.4 garlic cloves
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.3 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and pour in the wine. Let it simmer until the alcohol evaporates, about 2 minutes.¼ cup white wine
- Pour in 1 cup of water, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
Make the Sauce:
- Remove the lid and add 2 cups of crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine.2 cups finelly chopped tomatoes (1 can)
- Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and reduces slightly.
Finish and Serve:
- Turn off the heat and stir in a handful of freshly chopped parsley.1 small bunch fresh parsley
- Cover the skillet and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite side.
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Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too much.
- Freezing: Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Pair with a fresh salad or steamed veggies for a complete meal.
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Substitutions:
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Replace tomato juice with canned crushed tomatoes or passata.
- Swap white wine for chicken broth with a splash of lemon juice.
Sonja says
Such a lovely, flavorful and easy dinner option! Never cooked chicken in a tomato sauce and absolutely adored this one.
Erin says
This chicken was easier and tastier than I expected! Really fantastic and will be making again soon. Thank you!
Liz says
I'm always on the look out for new chicken recipes for family dinners. This was easy, flavorful and yummy!
Gloria says
What a great and simple chicken recipe. Perfect for any night of the week. That sauce is delicious over rice, potatoes, noodles and more.
Juyali says
Delicious dinner in under one hour. Thank you for the delicious recipe. Everyone went for seconds.
Krystle says
We were looking for something unique to do with chicken and this delivered. The white wine and tomato juice are a great combo
Brittany F. says
What a great use for the tomato juice I had! This recipe was so delicious and easy to follow. The chicken turns out so tender!
Lisa says
This recipe makes a really great, delicious, hearty weeknight meal. The whole family gobbled it down.
Ashley says
Wow! The sauce made from tomato juice and wine is so light and delicious! I'm going to add some burst cherry tomatoes to it next time.
Nicole says
Such a delicious recipe!! Perfect for the whole family. I will definitely be adding this to my weeknight rotation.
Stephanie says
Such a delicious chicken meal - perfectly spiced and tender chunks of chicken. Great for serving with mashed potatoes or rice!