{"id":7035761,"date":"2026-08-09T22:26:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T22:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/budget-food\/creamy-tomato-chicken-budget-bytes\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T22:26:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T22:26:17","slug":"creamy-tomato-chicken-budget-bytes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7035761","title":{"rendered":"Creamy Tomato Chicken – Budget Bytes"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Dinner always feels a little easier when this Creamy Tomato Chicken is on the menu! I slice two large chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make four thinner cutlets, then coat them in a velvety tomato sauce made with fridge and pantry staples. The sauce comes together in the same skillet I use to sear the chicken, starting with tomato paste for deep, concentrated flavor and finishing with fresh tomatoes for tender, juicy pieces throughout. And instead of heavy cream, I make a quick roux with oil and flour, then whisk in milk and seasonings for a sauce that\u2019s every bit as creamy for a fraction of the cost!<\/p>\n

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All recipes are rigorously tested in our Nashville Test Kitchen<\/a> to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Juicy Chicken in a Creamy Tomato Sauce<\/h2>\n

Weeknight dinners can be tough. Everyone\u2019s busy, everyone\u2019s hungry, and somehow you\u2019re expected to come up with something new every night. This creamy tomato chicken recipe may just be the answer. Once everything is prepped, it cooks in about 20 minutes and is packed with bold tomato flavor that tastes like it took much longer to make.<\/p>\n

It all starts by searing the chicken over medium-high heat until it\u2019s golden brown. Then, I turn the heat down before sauteing the onions and garlic until soft and fragrant in all those flavorful pan drippings. I keep the seasonings simple with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, but you can easily add onion powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne to make it your own. By the time the juicy chicken goes back into the skillet, the sauce is savory, creamy, and full of rich garlic and tomato flavor, with plenty to spoon over your favorite sides! Prefer your tomato chicken without <\/em>the creamy sauce? Try our tomato basil chicken<\/a>, which is fresh, tangy, garlicky, and completely dairy-free.<\/p>\n

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Melissa Nolan preparing her creamy tomato chicken in our Nashville test kitchen!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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  1. Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to make four even cutlets. <\/strong>This helps them cook at the same rate, so one piece doesn\u2019t dry out before another is ready. I always check the thickest part with a meat thermometer and remove the chicken once it reaches 165\u00b0F rather than relying on its color alone.<\/li>\n
  2. Give the chicken room to brown.<\/strong> I sear the cutlets over medium-high heat to develop a nice golden crust, but they need a little space around them to do that. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and cook it in batches if your skillet feels crowded. Once the chicken is out, turn the heat down to medium before starting the sauce so the onions and garlic can soften without burning.<\/li>\n
  3. Build the sauce in stages. <\/strong>Cooking the tomato paste for 1-2 minutes helps to deepen its flavor. Once the oil and flour are added, keep stirring for another minute to cook out the raw flour taste. The mixture will look thick and paste-like at this point, and that\u2019s exactly what you want. This simple roux thickens the milk and creates a creamy sauce without the added cost of heavy cream.<\/li>\n
  4. Let the sauce thicken before adding the tomatoes.<\/strong> Whisk in the milk and seasonings, then cook until the sauce is smooth and visibly thickened before folding in the fresh tomatoes, which may release a little extra liquid. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits. I add a splash of milk if it gets too thick or let it simmer gently over low heat if it needs more time. Don\u2019t let the sauce boil or the dairy may split!<\/li>\n
  5. Use what you have and taste as you go.<\/strong> Mushrooms, asparagus, or peas would all be delicious additions here! Saut\u00e9 mushrooms or asparagus with the onion, then stir peas in closer to the end. I also think Parmesan and fresh basil would be delicious sprinkled over the finished skillet, similar to the flavors in our Marry Me chicken<\/a> recipe. Make sure to taste the sauce once the chicken and its juices are back in the pan, then adjust the salt, pepper, or seasonings as needed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

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    Creamy Tomato Chicken<\/h2>\n

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    \n Cost <\/span>$6.15 recipe \/ $1.54 serving<\/span>
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    This easy Creamy Tomato Chicken recipe is ready in 35 minutes with golden chicken, fresh Roma tomatoes, and a silky one-skillet sauce. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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