One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Juicy chicken breasts simmered in a fresh tomato basil sauce, served atop creamy garlic mashed potatoes made in the same pot for easy cleanup. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2 large (about 1.5 lbs), peeled and quartered russet potatoes
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided salt
- 1 tsp, divided black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then add to the pan and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 5 minced garlic cloves to the same pan and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in 1 can (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes with their juices and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, place 2 large peeled and quartered russet potatoes into a medium pot, cover with water, add 3/4 tsp salt, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes until fork-tender.
- Step 4: Return the chicken breasts to the tomato basil sauce in the skillet, cover, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until cooked through.
- Step 5: Drain the potatoes and mash them with 3 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup milk, and the remaining 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper until creamy and smooth.
- Step 6: Serve the chicken breasts topped with the tomato basil sauce alongside a generous scoop of garlic mashed potatoes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Mashed Potatoes 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 Mashed Potatoes?
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 Mashed Potatoes?
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 Mashed Potatoes 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 Mashed Potatoes?
American 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.
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