One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken with Penne

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Simmered in a creamy tomato sauce with fresh basil and penne pasta for a comforting and quick weeknight meal. This Italian-inspired meal-prep recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs olive oil, yellow onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
2 cups chicken broth
8 oz penne pasta
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cut chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium chopped yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Step 3: Pour in 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes and 2 cups chicken broth. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Step 4: Add 8 oz penne pasta and the partially cooked chicken back into the pot. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook uncovered for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately or divide into containers for meal prep.