There’s something about a bowl of creamy tomato chicken pasta that makes the day feel less heavy. I’ve made this dish on busy weeknights when my brain felt fried, and it came together faster than my coffee order. The sauce clings to the pasta in all the right ways, wrapping the chicken in a cozy coat of flavor. This recipe sits on my list of homemade dinner recipes that I keep coming back to. It doesn’t need a long ingredient list or hours of prep, just a pan, some pantry staples, and a little patience. If you’ve ever wanted a homemade recipe that feels special without needing to pull off a restaurant trick, this is it. I’ve served this with garlic bread, but honestly, a dinner rolls recipe homemade easy batch on the side makes it even better. It’s hearty, it’s quick, and it’s one of those dinners recipes you’ll be glad you made.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
- 4) How to Make Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
- 5) Tips for Making Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
- 6) Making Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
- 8) Try these Dinner Recipes next
- 9) Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- Creamy tomato sauce coats tender chicken and short pasta for a quick weeknight meal that feels relaxed and warm.
- Pantry tomatoes and cream keep the prep simple while garlic and Parmesan bring depth and a little swagger.
- The method fits busy evenings and works for easy homemade dinners with steady results.
- Elena at Elena Cooks shares clear steps on https://www.elenacooks.com so you can cook with calm confidence.
2) Easy Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe
We start where comfort meets speed. This sits in my list of homemade dinner recipes and it shows up when the day runs long. I lean on it when I want homemade dinner recipes that taste rich yet feel light. The sauce turns silky and hugs every bite. We get tender chicken and pasta that holds the sauce well.
I cook this for friends and for us on quiet nights. The pot steams and the kitchen smells like garlic and tomato. You stir and the sauce thickens and you feel the stress drop. Dinner comes together with no fuss and no drama.
On Elena Cooks I keep this one at the ready so you can find it fast. If you crave easy homemade dinners that still feel special this fits. It belongs with simple homemade dinners that use what you have.
3) Ingredients for Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
Chicken breast bite size pieces cook fast and stay juicy in the sauce for soft and mild bites that take on flavor well.
Olive oil a slick in the pan helps browning and adds a round fruit note that plays well with tomato and garlic.
Yellow onion finely chopped onion turns sweet as it softens and builds a soft base for the sauce.
Garlic minced cloves bloom in warm oil and give the sauce a clean bold aroma that lifts each forkful.
Italian seasoning a small pinch brings herbs that link the tomato with the cream and the chicken.
Red pepper flakes optional heat adds a tiny spark that wakes up the sauce without stealing the show.
Crushed tomatoes canned tomatoes give steady flavor all year and make a bright base for the cream.
Heavy cream a small pour makes the sauce lush and smooth so it clings to pasta and chicken.
Parmesan cheese finely grated cheese melts in and adds nutty depth with a gentle salty edge.
Penne pasta short ridged pasta holds sauce in every groove and keeps the bite balanced.
Fresh basil chopped leaves add a clean finish with a soft pepper hint that brightens the bowl.
Kosher salt and black pepper steady seasoning keeps flavors clear and bold from start to finish.
4) How to Make Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
Step 1 Bring a pot of water to a steady boil. Salt it well. Drop the pasta and cook to a firm bite. Drain and hold.
Step 2 Warm oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add chicken and sear to light golden edges. Move the chicken to a plate.
Step 3 Add onion to the same pan. Stir until soft. Add garlic and the seasoning. Let the aroma rise.
Step 4 Pour in crushed tomatoes. Simmer until the edges thicken and the bubbles slow. Stir in cream.
Step 5 Return chicken to the pan. Toss with the sauce. Add pasta and fold until every piece wears a coat.
Step 6 Pull from heat. Stir in Parmesan. Taste for salt and pepper. Finish with basil and serve warm.
5) Tips for Making Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
Use a pan that gives the chicken room to brown. Crowding steams the meat and dulls the flavor. Dry the pieces so they sear fast and stay tender.
Cook the pasta to a firm bite so it holds shape in the sauce. Save a small cup of pasta water. A splash loosens the sauce if it turns too tight.
Grate the Parmesan fresh for a clean melt and bold flavor. For weeknight homemade dinners you can swap basil for parsley and still keep balance.
6) Making Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Ahead of Time
I build the sauce in the morning and chill it. At dinner I warm it and add fresh pasta. The texture stays smooth and the flavor holds.
Store the cooked chicken and the sauce together so the meat soaks up flavor. Keep the pasta separate so it does not drink all the sauce.
This fits simple homemade dinners when you need speed. A plan like this turns a busy night into a calm plate with no rush.
7) Storing Leftover Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
Cool leftovers fast then pack in a tight container. The sauce stays smooth for two to three days in the fridge.
Reheat in a pan over low heat and add a splash of water or cream. Stir until the sauce loosens and the pasta turns warm again.
For easy homemade dinners on day two top with fresh basil and a touch of Parmesan. The bowl feels new and bright.
8) Try these Dinner Recipes next
9) Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta | Homemade Dinner Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz penne pasta
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Remove chicken from skillet. Add onion and garlic to the same pan and sauté until soft.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and let simmer until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the pan, add cooked pasta, and toss everything together.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan and garnish with fresh basil before serving.
10) Nutrition
A standard bowl gives a steady mix of protein carbs and fat. The chicken keeps you full. The tomatoes and herbs bring brightness.
If you count numbers think of a range near five hundred calories per serving with balance that fits a regular dinner plate.
For lighter meals use a splash of milk in place of some cream. For longtail needs like dinners recipes and dinner rolls recipe homemade easy you can tweak portion size and still keep joy.
Author Elena at Elena Cooks shares this recipe on https://www.elenacooks.com and keeps it ready for readers who want Dinner Recipes that feel doable and calm.
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