One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Rice
A comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken simmered in a fresh tomato basil sauce served atop fluffy garlic butter rice. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup, grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken for 4 minutes per side until golden; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juices and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, stirring to combine. Return chicken to the pan and pour in 1 1/4 cups chicken broth.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup long grain white rice, cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Rice?
Italian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Related recipes
One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic and Mozzarella
One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Parmesan
Pan-Fried Chicken Parmesan with Fresh Mozzarella and Marinara
Three-Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast with Roasted Broccoli
Italian Braised Chicken Thighs with Rosemary and Garlic
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Parmesan Chicken
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
