Zesty Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Herb Sauce

Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Continental
Course: Main Course
Diet: High Protein, Non-Vegetarian

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken Marinade

1. Wash and clean the chicken: Start by thoroughly washing the chicken breasts and pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. Marinate the chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken breasts, mixed herbs, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Toss everything together until the chicken is well coated. Set aside and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the tomato basil sauce.

Step 2: Pan-Searing the Chicken

1. Heat the skillet: Place a skillet or frying pan on medium-high heat and drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil.
2. Sear the chicken: Add the marinated chicken breasts to the skillet. Sear each side for about 1 minute until you see a light golden-brown color. The goal is to lightly cook the chicken and give it a nice crust. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Making the Tomato Basil Sauce

1. Prepare the aromatics: In a separate saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and onion. Sauté until the onions soften and turn translucent, and the garlic releases a fragrant aroma.
2. Add fresh basil and tomato puree: Once the onions are soft, stir in the freshly torn basil leaves, followed by the homemade tomato puree. Stir well to combine.
3. Season the sauce: Add the mixed herbs, red chilli powder, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Stir the sauce and bring it to a brisk boil, allowing the flavors to meld. Let the sauce simmer for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 4: Cooking the Chicken in the Sauce

1. Add the seared chicken: After the tomato basil sauce has come together, carefully add the pan-seared chicken breasts to the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan.
2. Simmer and absorb flavors: Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes. This step ensures that the chicken absorbs the rich flavors of the basil-tomato sauce and is cooked through completely.

Step 5: Serving the Tomato Basil Chicken

1. Plate the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened to your liking, turn off the heat. Carefully transfer the Tomato Basil Chicken to a serving platter.
2. Garnish and serve: Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves for added freshness and color. Serve hot.

Suggested Serving Ideas

This flavorful Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside:

• Garlic Bread with Herb Butter for a rustic touch
• Herbed Buttered Rice with Green Peas for a comforting side dish
• A refreshing Fizzy Pomegranate & Mint Mocktail for a balanced drink
• And for a lighter contrast, serve with a Savory Melon Salad (Spiced with Ginger & Mint) to add a fresh, sweet-tangy balance to the meal.

Tips & Tricks:

• Marination Time: You can marinate the chicken for longer (up to 2 hours) if you want deeper flavors.
• Homemade Tomato Puree: For the freshest taste, use homemade tomato puree made by blending ripe tomatoes. If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought puree.
• Adjust Spice Levels: Depending on your heat preference, you can adjust the amount of red chilli powder or use crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.
• Serving for a crowd: This dish can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more guests. Just make sure to adjust the sauce quantities accordingly.

Enjoy this Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe with family and friends for a delightful and aromatic dining experience that will elevate your meal to a new level of flavor.