Go Back
For Tomato Basil Chicken Penne, gather these items: - 2 cups penne pasta - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1 small onion, finely chopped - 3 garlic cloves, minced - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon sugar - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese You can swap some ingredients if needed: - Use whole wheat penne for a healthier pasta choice. - Chicken thighs can replace chicken breasts for more flavor. - Canned diced tomatoes work if you don’t have crushed tomatoes. - Fresh garlic can be swapped with garlic powder; use 1/8 teaspoon. - If you lack fresh basil, dried basil can work; use 1 tablespoon. Make sure to measure correctly: - For perfect pasta, always salt your water. - The chicken should be cooked until it’s no longer pink. - Adjust the sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. - Taste as you go; add salt and pepper as needed. - You can add more cheese if you like a cheesier dish. This dish is simple yet bursting with flavor. Enjoy the process of cooking and savor each bite! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add 2 cups of penne pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This usually takes about 10 minutes. When it’s done, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside. Next, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes until it is browned and cooked through. When finished, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add 1 small finely chopped onion. Sauté it for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Then, add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant. Now, stir in 1 can of crushed tomatoes, 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. If you like spice, add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. This helps the flavors blend well. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir it into the sauce to coat well. Now, add the drained penne pasta and toss everything together until well mixed. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat everything through. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup of torn fresh basil leaves. This adds freshness to the dish! Serve it hot and top with ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Enjoy your meal! To cook chicken right, cut it into bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook faster and evenly. Use a hot skillet with olive oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper before cooking. Cook until the chicken turns golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Make sure it is no longer pink inside. This method keeps it juicy and tasty. When cooking penne, start with a big pot of salted water. Bring it to a boil before adding the pasta. This helps the pasta cook evenly. Stir the pasta occasionally while it cooks. Follow the package instructions for the right cooking time. Test the pasta for doneness by tasting it. You want it al dente, which means soft but still firm. Drain it well, but don’t rinse! Rinsing washes away the starch that helps sauce stick. Using fresh ingredients makes a big difference in flavor. Always opt for fresh basil over dried. Tear the leaves to release their oils and aroma. Fresh cherry tomatoes add sweetness and texture to the dish. You can also use fresh garlic instead of jarred. This will give the sauce a bright taste. Lastly, feel free to add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor. Pro Tips Perfect Pasta: Always cook your pasta al dente to ensure it holds its shape when mixed with the sauce. Chicken Cooking: For the juiciest chicken, avoid overcrowding the skillet and cook in batches if necessary. Fresh Herbs: Add basil at the end of cooking to preserve its vibrant flavor and color. Cheese Choice: Grate your Parmesan cheese fresh for a creamier texture and richer flavor in the dish. {{image_2}} You can easily make a vegetarian version of Tomato Basil Chicken Penne. Simply replace the chicken with hearty vegetables. Good choices are zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. You can also use chickpeas for protein. Sauté the veggies just like you do the chicken. This way, they get tender and flavorful. If you want to change the protein, try shrimp or tofu. Shrimp cooks quickly and adds a nice touch. Just sauté the shrimp until pink and then follow the same steps as with chicken. For tofu, use firm or extra-firm tofu. Cut it into bite-sized pieces and sauté until golden. Tofu soaks up the sauce flavors well. You can switch up the sauce for more fun. Try adding pesto for a fresh taste. Mix in some cream for a rich, creamy sauce. You can also add spinach or arugula for extra greens. For a bit of crunch, toss in pine nuts or walnuts. Each change can bring a new twist to your meal. To store your Tomato Basil Chicken Penne, first let it cool. Place it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. If you want to enjoy it later, freezing is a great option! When you're ready to eat, reheat the pasta. You can use a microwave or a stove. If using a microwave, heat in short bursts. Stir after each burst to avoid hot spots. If using the stove, add a splash of water. This keeps it from drying out. Heat until warm. If you want to freeze your dish, portion it into smaller containers. Make sure to leave some space at the top. The sauce may expand while freezing. Label your containers with the date. When you're ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat as mentioned before. Enjoy your delicious meal later! You can serve this dish with a simple salad. A side of garlic bread works well too. You might like a light vinaigrette to balance the flavors. A glass of white wine pairs nicely. Fresh fruit can be a great dessert option. Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Cook the penne and chicken, then store them separately. Keep the sauce in another container. When ready to eat, reheat the sauce and combine everything. This way, the pasta stays firm and does not get soggy. To adjust the spice level, you can add or remove red pepper flakes. For mild flavor, skip the flakes. If you like it spicy, add more to taste. You can also add fresh ground black pepper for extra kick. Experiment until you find your perfect balance! This blog post covers everything you need for Tomato Basil Chicken Penne. We listed ingredients, gave substitution options, and shared clear measurements. You learned step-by-step cooking methods, from pasta to chicken, and made a flavorful sauce. Tips for perfect chicken and pasta helped ensure success. You can even try variations like vegetarian options or different proteins. Lastly, we provided helpful storage and reheating tips. With this guide, you can make a great meal, enjoy leftovers, and impress your friends. Cooking can be easy and fun with fresh, quick dishes like this one.

Basil Bliss Tomato Chicken Penne

A delightful pasta dish featuring chicken, tomatoes, and fresh basil.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, oregano, sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  • Return the chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Add the cooked penne and toss until well combined. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to warm through.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the torn basil leaves. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
Keyword basil, chicken, pasta, tomato