Slow-Simmered Tomato-Braised Chicken Thighs

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

Chicken thighs braised in a deep tomato-herb sauce until fall-apart tender, served with a vibrant fresh herb garnish. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, onion 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.

★ 4.4 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, flipping to cook 2 more minutes.
  2. Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside. Add 1 large diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until darkened.
  3. Step 3: Return chicken to the skillet, pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup crushed tomatoes, then stir in 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and additional salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken and set aside. Increase heat to medium and simmer sauce for 10 minutes to thicken. Return chicken to sauce and cook for 5 more minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato-Braised Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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-Simmered Tomato-Braised Chicken Thighs?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Tomato-Braised Chicken Thighs?

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-Simmered Tomato-Braised Chicken Thighs 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-Simmered Tomato-Braised Chicken Thighs?

Mediterranean one pot 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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