Slow-Roasted Tomato and Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slow-roasted chicken thighs bathed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with sweet roasted tomatoes and fresh basil. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, cherry tomatoes, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 15 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300°F. Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place them skin side up on a roasting pan.
  2. Step 2: Scatter 2 cups cherry tomatoes around the chicken thighs and drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over everything. Roast uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes until the chicken is tender and the tomatoes are bursting.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 6 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  4. Step 4: Remove the butter from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
  5. Step 5: Once the chicken is done, spoon the garlic butter sauce over the thighs and tomatoes, letting the hot sauce seep into the meat. Serve warm with pan juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Tomato and Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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 Slow-Roasted Tomato and Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

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 cherry tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Tomato and Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

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 Slow-Roasted Tomato and Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce 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 Slow-Roasted Tomato and Basil Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Mediterranean 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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