Oven Baked Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

This Oven Baked Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is the kind of dinner that makes the whole kitchen smell amazing. Juicy chicken breasts are baked in a rich, creamy tomato sauce with garlic, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, and fresh basil.

The sauce turns wonderfully creamy in the oven while the chicken stays tender and flavorful. Serve it over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or with warm crusty bread for soaking up every drop of sauce.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of tomatoes, cream, Parmesan, garlic, and basil creates a rich sauce with a bright Italian-inspired flavor. Baking everything together keeps the preparation simple while allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.

A quick sear before baking adds a beautiful golden crust and deeper flavor, while the creamy tomato sauce keeps the chicken moist.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, optional

How to Make Oven Baked Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Pat the chicken breasts dry. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Brown the chicken for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, Parmesan, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes if using.
Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Return the chicken to the skillet or place it in the prepared baking dish and pour the sauce over it.
Sprinkle mozzarella over the top if desired.
Bake uncovered for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.
Cook until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F.
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
Scatter fresh basil over the top and spoon the creamy tomato sauce over each serving.

How to Keep the Chicken Juicy

Chicken breasts vary considerably in size, so cooking time will depend on their thickness. For more even cooking, gently pound thicker breasts to a similar thickness before seasoning.

Use an instant-read thermometer rather than relying only on cooking time. Remove the chicken once the thickest part reaches 165°F.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work especially well in this creamy tomato sauce. They are naturally juicy and bring a richer flavor to the dish.

Adjust the baking time according to the size of the thighs and cook until they reach a safe internal temperature.

What to Serve with Tomato Basil Chicken

This creamy chicken pairs beautifully with pasta because the sauce coats the noodles. Fettuccine, penne, spaghetti, and bow-tie pasta all work well.

For a lighter meal, serve it with roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, green beans, or a crisp garden salad.

Warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is also perfect for scooping up the creamy tomato sauce.

Easy Variations

Add sliced mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for extra vegetables. Sun-dried tomatoes also bring a delicious concentrated tomato flavor.

For more heat, increase the red pepper flakes. For a richer cheese flavor, add extra Parmesan immediately before serving.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered skillet over low heat. A small splash of cream or chicken broth helps loosen the sauce if it thickens in the refrigerator.

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