Easy One-Pan Tuscan Chicken Recipe: A Healthy, Flavorful Weeknight Meal
It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating the holidays, and suddenly two weeks have flown by since my last blog post. I truly embraced the festive season, dedicating my time to family, relaxation, and indulging in some much-needed downtime. It was an absolutely incredible break! My in-laws visited for a week, filling our home with laughter and joy. We managed to catch a couple of fantastic movies, engaged in spirited game nights, cheered on our favorite football teams, savored an abundance of delicious food, and even celebrated my birthday amidst all the holiday cheer. This time off was a wonderful reset, leaving me refreshed and eager to dive back into creating new and exciting recipes.
Today marks the return to our regular routines, and I must admit, I feel genuinely ready to get back to work. I’m well-rested, completely rejuvenated, and brimming with fresh ideas to share with all of you! I sincerely hope that your Christmas and New Year celebrations were equally memorable and that you’re looking forward to an amazing year ahead.
Start the Year Right with This Delicious Tuscan Chicken
As the new year kicks off, the resolution to “eat better” often tops everyone’s list, and I’m certainly no exception. After enjoying all those holiday treats, it feels great to reset and focus on healthier eating habits. However, for me, this journey has to be realistic and sustainable. Drastic changes, like switching from a normal diet to an all-veggie regimen overnight, rarely last. That’s why I advocate for moderation and simply making smarter, more flavorful choices. This Easy One-Pan Tuscan Chicken recipe embodies that philosophy perfectly.
This dish is designed to be a satisfying, flavor-packed meal that you can enjoy any night of the week without feeling like you’re sacrificing taste for health. It features tender chicken breasts bathed in a vibrant tomato sauce, infused with a medley of aromatic herbs. While it’s not overloaded with “superfoods” or excessive veggies (though you can certainly add more!), it’s wholesome, comforting, and incredibly delicious. This recipe proves that eating well can be both simple and incredibly enjoyable, helping you stick to your goals with ease.
The Magic of One-Pan Cooking: Why You’ll Love This Recipe
One of the biggest appeals of this Tuscan Chicken recipe is its simplicity and the minimal cleanup it requires. This is a true one-pan wonder, meaning everything cooks in a single skillet, from browning the chicken to simmering the luscious sauce. This convenience makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want a home-cooked meal without the hassle of piles of dishes afterwards. The magic happens as the flavors meld together in the pan, creating a rich, cohesive dish that tastes like it took hours, but only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Beyond the ease, this recipe truly shines with its incredible depth of flavor. The combination of savory chicken, sweet diced tomatoes, and a robust blend of Italian herbs transports your taste buds straight to the heart of Tuscany. It’s a dish that feels gourmet yet is incredibly accessible for any home cook. Plus, chicken breast is a lean protein source, making this a healthy option that doesn’t compromise on satisfaction.
Elevating Flavors with Gourmet Garden Herbs
Last year, I had the pleasure of teaming up with Gourmet Garden, and I’m thrilled to share another fantastic recipe featuring their incredible herbs. If you haven’t yet discovered Gourmet Garden, you are truly missing out on a kitchen game-changer! I used to dread buying fresh herbs because I’d rarely use the entire bunch before they wilted, leading to frustrating waste.
Gourmet Garden solves this common culinary dilemma. Their herbs come in convenient tubes, readily available in the produce section of your grocery store, and stay fresh in your fridge for several weeks. This means you always have fresh, vibrant flavor at your fingertips, exactly when you need it, without the pressure of using them up immediately. They are incredibly easy to use and perform beautifully in any recipe where you would typically use dried or fresh herbs, providing a burst of authentic taste.
For this delightful Tuscan Chicken, I relied on three of my favorites: the garlic paste, Italian Herbs blend, and oregano paste. These concentrated flavors infuse the chicken and sauce with an authentic Mediterranean essence, making every bite incredibly satisfying. It’s truly amazing how much flavor you can achieve with just a few squeezes of these high-quality, fresh-tasting herbs.
Tips for Perfect Tuscan Chicken Every Time
Achieving a perfectly cooked, flavorful Tuscan Chicken is simpler than you might think. Here are a few tips to ensure your meal is a resounding success:
- Pat Your Chicken Dry: Before seasoning and searing, always pat your chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture, allowing for a better sear and a beautiful golden-brown crust, which locks in flavor.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: When browning the chicken, make sure not to overcrowd your skillet. If you have too many pieces, the temperature of the pan will drop, and the chicken will steam instead of sear. Cook in batches if necessary, ensuring each piece gets ample space.
- Building the Flavor Base: The finely diced onion and minced garlic are crucial for building the foundational flavors of this dish. Sautéing the onion until tender and translucent, then adding the garlic for just a minute, releases their aromatics without burning them. This step is key to a rich sauce.
- Allow Tomatoes to Break Down: When you add the diced tomatoes, oregano, and Italian seasoning, give them time to simmer. This allows the tomatoes to soften and break down, releasing their natural sweetness and creating a more cohesive and flavorful sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Ensure Chicken is Cooked Through: After returning the chicken to the pan with the sauce, continue to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. This ensures the chicken finishes cooking through, absorbing all the wonderful flavors of the sauce. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Optional Creaminess: While this recipe keeps it light, if you desire a richer sauce, consider stirring in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of cream cheese at the very end, just before serving. This adds a delightful creamy texture without overpowering the Tuscan flavors.
More One-Pan Dinner Recipes to Simplify Your Life
If you love the convenience and deliciousness of this Tuscan Chicken, you’re in for a treat! One-pan dinners are truly a lifesaver for busy individuals and families, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor. I’ve gathered some other fantastic one-pan recipes that I think you’ll absolutely adore. Each offers a unique flavor profile and the same beloved ease of preparation:
Sausage Tortellini Skillet: A hearty and comforting meal featuring savory sausage and tender tortellini, all cooked in one pan with a rich tomato sauce. It’s perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Chicken in Artichoke Pan Sauce: This elegant yet simple dish combines succulent chicken with tangy artichokes in a flavorful pan sauce, creating a sophisticated meal with minimal effort.
20 Minute Skillet Monterey Chicken by Mom on Timeout: A super quick and cheesy chicken dish that comes together in just 20 minutes, making it an ideal last-minute dinner solution.
Sirloin Steaks with Creamy Onion Sauce by Comfortably Domestic: While not chicken, this one-pan steak recipe offers a luxurious creamy onion sauce that will make you feel like you’re dining out.
Tuscan Chicken
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Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 teaspoons Gourmet Garden garlic paste)
- 1 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, (or 2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano (or 2 teaspoons Gourmet Garden oregano paste)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or 2 teaspoons Gourmet Garden Italian Herbs paste)
- Parmesan cheese, optional, for serving
Instructions
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In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Carefully add the seasoned chicken to the hot pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it (cook in batches if necessary). Sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until beautifully browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and cover loosely with foil to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
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To the same skillet, add the finely diced onion. Sauté the onion over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes tender and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic (or Gourmet Garden garlic paste) and cook for just 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
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Pour the diced tomatoes into the skillet. Stir in the dried oregano (or Gourmet Garden oregano paste) and Italian seasoning (or Gourmet Garden Italian Herbs paste). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down and the sauce thickens slightly. Return the browned chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Continue to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
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Serve the Tuscan Chicken hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of pasta, rice, crusty bread, or a simple green salad.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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** I am partnering with Gourmet Garden to bring you this recipe. I was compensated for my time to create the recipe. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that I love, and make Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts possible.