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Tomato Basil Chicken Thighs Recipe

5 from 747 reviews

This Tomato Basil Chicken Thighs recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs seared to golden perfection in a skillet, then simmered with grape tomatoes, fresh basil, and a flavorful garlic-shallot broth. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a simple yet delicious dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 8 to 10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ cup flour (or more as needed)

Cooking Fat

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or oil of your choice)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Sauce and Vegetables

  • 2 large shallots, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ⅓ cup chicken broth (plus more for additional sauce)
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves (or more)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, coat the chicken thighs evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then, dredge each thigh in flour ensuring a light, even coating. Set aside.
  2. Heat the Skillet: Place a cast iron or heavy-bottom skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and butter to the skillet, heating until the butter is fully melted and hot.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs smooth side down in the hot skillet. Cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes or until the chicken easily releases from the pan and is golden brown. Flip the thighs and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the other side is browned and chicken is cooked through.
  4. Remove Chicken and Sauté Aromatics: Transfer the chicken to a clean plate. Add minced shallots and garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat, adding more butter if needed to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
  5. Deglaze the Pan: Pour a splash of chicken broth into the skillet and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the caramelized bits stuck to the pan. This dissolves those flavorful browned bits into the sauce base.
  6. Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the halved grape tomatoes and remaining chicken broth. Let the mixture simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, and continue deglazing if necessary to incorporate all flavors.
  7. Combine and Finish: Nestle the cooked chicken thighs back into the skillet among the tomatoes. Scatter roughly chopped or torn fresh basil leaves over the top. Let everything warm together for a minute, then serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can substitute boneless chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
  • If you want a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth or simmer longer to concentrate flavors.
  • Fresh basil adds the best flavor; for dried basil, use about 1 teaspoon.
  • Serve with a side of rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Using a cast iron skillet enhances the sear and flavor but a heavy non-stick skillet works as well.

Keywords: chicken thighs, tomato basil chicken, skillet chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, garlic chicken, basil tomato sauce