Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken and Rice Skillet

This creamy tomato basil chicken and rice skillet is a quick and easy one-pan meal that's full of flavor. With juicy chicken breasts, tender rice, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy tomato basil sauce, it's a comforting and delicious dinner the whole family will love.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you'll need:

• Chicken breasts - boneless and skinless, pounded to an even thickness
• Rice - white or brown, uncooked
• Olive oil
• Onion - diced
• Garlic - minced
• Tomato sauce
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Fresh basil - chopped
• Spinach
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Parmesan cheese - grated
• Salt and pepper

For the chicken:

Start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even 1/2 inch thickness. This helps them cook quicker and more evenly. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

For the rice:

Use white or brown rice, whatever you prefer. The cooking time might vary slightly depending on the type you use.

Instructions

Here's how to make this easy one-pan dinner:

Cook the chicken:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and almost cooked through.

Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Cook the rice:

Add a bit more olive oil to the skillet if needed. Add the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.

Cook the veggies:

Stir in the onion and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Make the sauce:

Whisk in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, heavy cream, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

Simmer:

Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid and is tender.

Finish cooking:

Stir in the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes until wilted. Top with grated parmesan cheese. Replace cover and let sit for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Serve:

Spoon the creamy tomato basil chicken and rice into bowls. Garnish with extra basil and parmesan if desired. Enjoy!

Tips

Here are some tips for making perfect creamy tomato basil chicken and rice:

• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness so they cook quickly.
• Chop the sun-dried tomatoes to help them blend into the sauce.
• Stir the rice frequently while cooking to prevent sticking.
• Let the rice simmer until almost all the liquid is absorbed for perfect tender rice.
• Stir in the spinach at the end so it wilts but doesn't overcook.
• Use a large skillet with tall sides to contain the sauce.
• Garnish with extra parmesan and basil for flavor.

Substitutions

You can customize this recipe with your favorite flavors:

• Instead of spinach, use kale, arugula or swiss chard.
• Substitute rosemary, oregano or thyme for the basil.
• Use diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce.
• Try pecorino romano or parmigiano cheese instead of parmesan.
• For a lower carb option, use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
• Use milk or half and half instead of heavy cream.

Storage

This creamy tomato basil chicken and rice skillet stores well for meal prep and leftovers. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits.

To freeze, let cool completely, then transfer to freezer bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through.

More Skillet Recipes

If you love quick and easy one-pan skillet meals, try these delicious recipes:

• Tuscan Chicken Skillet - chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, white wine, parmesan.
• Fajita Skillet - chicken or steak, peppers, onions, Mexican spices, avocado, cheese.
• Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skillet - spicy andouille sausage, shrimp, peppers, rice.
• Chicken Fried Rice Skillet - chicken, rice, carrots, peas, eggs, soy sauce.
• Cheesy Chicken and Rice - gooey cheese, chicken, tomatoes, broccoli.

Enjoy the Flavors

This creamy tomato basil chicken and rice skillet makes an easy, comforting dinner the whole family will love. Juicy chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes pair perfectly with the creamy tomato basil sauce and fluffy rice. With simple prep in just one skillet, this is a go-to weeknight recipe. Enjoy all the delicious and fresh flavors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of rice works best?

White or brown rice works great in this recipe. Stay away from rices like jasmine or basmati that have longer cook times. The rice simmers in the skillet until tender.

Can I use frozen spinach?

Absolutely! Thaw it first and squeeze out excess moisture before adding to the skillet.

How spicy is this dish?

This recipe has mild spice from just garlic and black pepper. Add cayenne or hot sauce if you want to turn up the heat.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the ingredients ahead. Store the rice separate from the sauce. Reheat gently before serving.

What sides go well with this?

Try a fresh salad, crusty garlic bread, or steamed broccoli florets. A chilled white wine would be nice too.

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Chicken thighs work great too. Just increase cook time by a few minutes until cooked through.

Do I need to use sun-dried tomatoes?

Regular tomatoes or diced tomatoes can be subbed. The sun-dried tomatoes add a nice brightness.

Can I make it spicy?

Absolutely! Add 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño for some heat.