Tomato-Basil Chicken Pasta

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

Tender chicken breast simmered in a rich tomato-basil sauce and tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs chicken breast, olive oil, garlic 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 lb, diced into 1-inch pieces chicken breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 12 oz spaghetti

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through; remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped onion. Sauté for 3 minutes until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add diced tomatoes, dried basil, Italian seasoning, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
4. Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, add heavy cream, and stir to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce is creamy. Toss with cooked spaghetti and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.