This creamy tomato chicken pasta recipe makes the best dinner. Juicy chicken breast paired with a flavorful sauce and your favorite pasta is fancy enough for date night but easy enough for a quick weeknight meal.
Hi friends!
I’ve got a new creamy chicken pasta with tomato sauce recipe for you today. Chicken is definitely the protein we eat most in our house so I almost always have some on hand. Plus we’re coming into tomato season soon so this recipe is the perfect way to use up some of those cherry or grape tomatoes you’ll likely have on hand all summer long.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
This creamy tomato chicken pasta dish is extremely versatile and ready in under 30 minutes. It’s easy enough for a quick family dinner but also fancy enough that you could serve it for a date night in! It also reheats well – I would store the pasta separate – so you can prep it ahead of time quick weekday lunches.
Easy Chicken Recipes
Looking for more easy chicken recipes? Try one of these:
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
- Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade
Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Ingredients
To make this creamy tomato chicken pasta recipe you just need a few simple ingredients:
- Chicken – I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Be sure to cut them in half lengthwise or pound to an even thinness so they cook quickly.
- Seasonings – I share my favorite combination but feel free to improvise and use what you have
- Chicken broth – Vegetable broth also works
- Butter and garlic – For flavor.
- Tomato paste – This sauce has a mild tomato flavor thanks to this addition
- Heavy cream – You could also use half and half
- Parmesan – Freshly grated is best!
- Mix-ins – I use baby spinach and cherry tomatoes
- Pasta – Use your favorite kind!
How To Make Creamy Tomato Sauce Chicken Pasta
This rich, velvety tomato sauce is easy to make and full of flavor! Here’s how you make it:
- Season the chicken breasts and saute them in the pan.
- Deglaze the pan with some chicken broth.
- Add butter, garlic and tomato paste, then sprinkle in some flour.
- Slowly add the broth and let the sauce thicken.
- Stir in some heavy cream and parmesan, then add several handfuls of baby spinach and some halved tomatoes.
- Return the chicken to the pan to coat with sauce and serve over your favorite pasta!
Want to try a different cream sauce? Try this Super Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta or this Easy 10-Minute Tomato Cream Sauce.
Best Pasta to Pair with Creamy Tomato Sauce
This creamy tomato chicken pasta recipe is flexible in that you can definitely choose your favorite pasta! If you prefer longer noodles, try fettuccine. If you like bite-sized pasta, try penne, rigatoni, fuseli etc.
Want more pasta recipes? Try:
Optional Mix-ins
I’ve added cherry tomatoes and spinach to this recipe but you’re welcome to add additional mix-ins as well based on preferences or what you have on hand. Try:
- Roasted red peppers
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Artichoke hearts
- Green beans
Protein variations
Don’t want to sear your chicken in the pan? No problem! You could cook it in the air fryer, throw it on the grill or you could even try switching up the protein and try making this with shrimp or pork.
What To Serve with Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
Pretty much any vegetable from roasted veggies to salad would make a great side dish. So would garlic bread!
Try one of these:
- Maple Glazed Carrots
- Easy Spinach Balls
- Curry Roasted Acorn Squash
- Kale and White Bean Salad
- Roasted Cabbage Wedge
Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Recipe
PrintCreamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
This creamy tomato chicken pasta recipe makes the best dinner. Juicy chicken breast paired with a flavorful sauce and your favorite pasta is fancy enough for date night but easy enough for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise to make thinner)
- 2 Tbsp oil
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
For the sauce:
- 1.75 cups chicken broth (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 3 Tbsp tomato paste
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2–3 cups fresh baby spinach
4 servings of pasta to serve with chicken and sauce
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Place Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder and salt in a small bowl and mix.
- Rub seasoning mixture into both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
- Add seasoned chicken breasts and cook on each side for 5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Add 1/4 cup chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan with silicone or wooden spatula to deglaze.
- Add garlic, butter and tomato paste and stir to combine until butter is melted.
- Sprinkle with flour.
- Slowly add remaining chicken broth, whisking constantly and let sauce thicken.
- Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream and Parmesan stirring constantly.
- Stir in tomatoes and spinach and let sauce simmer 4-5 minutes.
- Return chicken to your pan and cover with sauce.
- Serve over pasta!
Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta FAQs
How do I store and reheat creamy tomato chicken pasta?
Store in a glass tupperware container. You can store it all together or store the pasta separately. Reheat in the microwave.
Can I make creamy tomato chicken pasta without heavy cream?
If you want to lighten this up slightly, you could use half and half or whole milk. I would not recommend leaving the cream out of this recipe.
What’s the difference between tomato cream sauce and vodka sauce?
Vodka sauce uses vodka to help emulsify the tomatoes and cream which can lead to a sauce that its a bit creamier and smoother. Tomato cream sauce is just a mixture of broth, heavy cream and tomatoes. If you’re looking for a vodka sauce recipe, try Penne Alla Vodka.
How do I keep the sauce from curdling when adding cream to tomatoes?
Start with cream that is room temperature and add slowly to the pan over low heat, stirring constantly to help it mix in and adjust to the temperature of the tomatoes.
Can I use leftover grilled chicken in this pasta recipe?
Yes! The sauce in this recipe is a great way to transform leftover grilled chicken into something new and delicious!
How do I adjust the spice level in tomato cream pasta?
You can add some cayenne pepper to the spice mixture you put on the chicken before searing or add some to the sauce when tasting the seasonings at the end!
How do I thicken creamy tomato pasta sauce without flour?
You can use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce at the end instead of starting with a roux using butter and flour.
What herbs or seasonings go best with creamy tomato and chicken pasta?
I the combination of Italian seasoning, garlic powder and paprika but feel free to use a combination of basil and parsley or even a general chicken seasoning.
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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I made this for supper today. It was delicious! Definitely adding to my meal planning. Thanks for sharing.
The perfect recipe for the whole family. Balanced and yummy. Everybody loves pasta and the chicken on top will provide the right amount of proteins.