Quick & Flavorful Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes: An Easy Skillet Dinner for Busy Weeknights

Tired of the endless “What’s for dinner?” debate? Say goodbye to mealtime guesswork with this incredibly easy and delicious Balsamic Chicken With Tomatoes recipe. Crafted using simple pantry staples like canned tomatoes, this one-pan skillet chicken dinner is designed for two and can be on your table in under an hour, from start to finish. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave a homemade, flavorful, and satisfying meal without the fuss.

The Dinner Dilemma: A Relatable Weeknight Struggle

In our increasingly fast-paced lives, finding time to prepare a wholesome dinner can feel like a luxury. We’ve all been there: the end of a long day arrives, and suddenly, dinner plans are non-existent. You might have thought, “Oh, I’ll figure it out later,” only for “later” to arrive, leaving you with no inspiration and the tempting call of takeout or a cobbled-together, less-than-healthy meal. This cycle often repeats itself day after day, leading to mealtime stress and culinary fatigue.

Does this scenario resonate with you? If so, you’re certainly not alone. It’s a common challenge, and the best way to break free is by building a repertoire of reliable, favorite meals. These are the recipes you can whip up almost instinctively, week after week, without ever getting tired of their delicious simplicity. This Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes recipe is designed to be precisely that kind of staple for your kitchen.

Why This Balsamic Chicken and Tomato Recipe Will Become Your Go-To

For years, this balsamic chicken with tomatoes has been a consistent hit in my kitchen, primarily because it relies on ingredients I almost always have on hand: chicken and canned tomatoes. This makes it an incredibly convenient option, eliminating last-minute grocery runs and ensuring a satisfying meal is always within reach.

This dish truly shines during the summer months when the thought of turning on the oven is unbearable. Being a skillet chicken recipe, it keeps your kitchen cool while still delivering a warm, comforting meal. But its versatility extends far beyond summer; thanks to canned tomatoes, you can enjoy its rich flavors all year round. It features tender, boneless, skinless chicken breast cooked to perfection on the stovetop, enveloped in a vibrant pan sauce made with balsamic vinegar and tomatoes.

If you prefer the succulent richness of dark meat, feel free to substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They absorb the flavors beautifully and maintain incredible moisture. Balsamic vinegar is a star ingredient here, lending a delightful sweet and tangy complexity that makes this stove-top chicken incredibly addictive. Its unique flavor profile is what allows you to enjoy this dish repeatedly without it ever feeling redundant.

Unlike more involved dishes, this is an easy chicken recipe for two that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight schedule. From prep to plate, it typically takes less than an hour, making it far quicker than most takeout options and infinitely more rewarding. While it’s casual enough for any weeknight, its elegant flavors and presentation also make it suitable for a romantic dinner for two at home, perhaps paired with a glass of your favorite red wine.

Despite chicken breast sometimes getting a bad rap for being dry, this recipe ensures it stays moist and flavorful. The key is proper browning on the outside to lock in juices and, crucially, avoiding overcooking. Serve it alongside a crisp green onion salad or a hearty Italian Potato Salad for a complete and utterly satisfying weeknight dinner experience.

Ingredients For Balsamic Chicken With Tomatoes

To create this flavorful chicken and tomato recipe, gather the following essential ingredients:

• Chicken breast: Opt for boneless, skinless breasts. Ensure they are completely thawed and thoroughly patted dry before cooking. This crucial step helps them brown beautifully and prevents excess water from steaming the chicken in the skillet. For a richer flavor, boneless skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative.
• Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and the sauce. Kosher salt is often preferred for its coarser texture and milder taste.
• Olive oil: Used for browning the chicken to achieve a beautiful golden crust and for sautéing the aromatics that form the base of your delicious sauce.
• Onion and garlic: These aromatics are the cornerstone of flavor for the balsamic tomatoes. Diced yellow or white onion and minced garlic will provide a fragrant and savory depth to the sauce.
• Canned tomatoes: The secret to enjoying this dish all year round! Canned tomatoes offer consistent flavor and convenience. Look for petite diced tomatoes; their smaller cut integrates wonderfully into the sauce, providing bursts of tomato flavor without being overly chunky. Fire-roasted diced tomatoes can add an extra layer of smoky depth.
• Chicken broth/stock: This liquid element is essential for bringing the pan sauce together, deglazing the skillet, and adding a savory foundation to the sauce.
• Balsamic vinegar: The definitive star of the dish, providing its signature sweet, tangy, and slightly acidic notes. The higher quality balsamic vinegar you use, the more complex and nuanced the flavor of your sauce will be.
• Butter: A touch of unsalted butter swirled in at the end adds a luxurious richness and a beautiful sheen to the sauce. It also helps to balance the acidity from the tomatoes and vinegar, creating a perfectly harmonious flavor.
• Basil: Fresh basil is added at the end to impart a vibrant, fresh, and aromatic finish, tying together all the Italian-inspired flavors of this dinner.

Do I need to pound out my chicken breast?

Chicken breast is a fantastic choice for skillet dinners because it cooks relatively quickly. However, chicken breasts are often thicker in some areas than others. Pounding them out to an even thickness ensures they cook uniformly and rapidly. If they’re too thick, there’s a risk the outside will overcook or even burn before the center reaches a safe internal temperature.

Aim to pound your chicken breasts to about 1/2 inch thick. A meat mallet is ideal for this, but don’t worry if you don’t have one; a rolling pin, the bottom of a heavy pan, or even a sturdy can of green beans can work in a pinch!

For those who prefer dark meat, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative. They typically cook more evenly due to their natural thickness and higher fat content, so they usually don’t require pounding if laid completely flat in the skillet.

How To Make Balsamic Chicken With Tomatoes

Follow these straightforward steps to prepare your flavorful tomato chicken recipe:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by pounding your chicken breasts (if using) to an even 1/2 inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and tenderness. Generously season both sides of the chicken with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the seasoned chicken to the hot oil, top side down. Cook for about 5 minutes, undisturbed, until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms. This searing step is key for flavor.
3. Finish Cooking Chicken: Flip the chicken and continue cooking for approximately another 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a clean plate and loosely tent it with aluminum foil to keep it warm and allow the juices to redistribute.
4. Sauté Aromatics: If your skillet appears dry, add a small drizzle more of olive oil. Add the diced onion to the skillet with a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan as you cook – these are packed with flavor!
5. Build the Sauce: Pour in the drained petite diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the sauce has thickened slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding up to 1/2 teaspoon more salt if needed. If your tomatoes are particularly acidic, a tiny pinch of sugar can help balance the flavors.
6. Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the unsalted butter until it melts into the sauce, giving it a rich, glossy finish. Add the fresh chopped basil and any clear juices that have accumulated on the plate from the resting chicken. Give the sauce one final taste and adjust for salt if necessary. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the luscious balsamic tomato sauce over it. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days, making this a great meal prep option.

Tips for a Perfect Skillet Dinner Every Time

Achieving a restaurant-quality meal at home is easier than you think with a few simple techniques:

• Pound Chicken Evenly: As mentioned, this is crucial. Uniform thickness ensures your chicken cooks through at the same rate, preventing dry edges and raw centers. Use a meat mallet or a heavy pan to get those breasts to about half an inch.
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Overcrowding your skillet lowers the pan’s temperature and steams the chicken instead of searing it. For perfectly browned chicken, ensure there’s enough space around each piece. If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches and combine them later.
• Quality Balsamic Matters: While you don’t need the most expensive aged balsamic, a good quality vinegar will make a noticeable difference in the depth and sweetness of your sauce. Avoid overly thin or harsh-tasting balsamic for the best results.
• Seasoning Throughout: Season your chicken generously before cooking, and taste the sauce as it simmers to adjust salt and pepper. A little seasoning at each stage builds layers of flavor.
• Let Your Chicken Rest: After cooking, allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes under foil redistributes the juices, resulting in more tender and moist meat. Don’t skip this step!
• Deglaze with Purpose: When you add the broth and vinegar to the skillet after cooking the chicken and aromatics, use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the pan. This is where a lot of the dish’s incredible flavor comes from.

Serving Suggestions & Wine Pairings

This Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to create a complete and satisfying meal:

• Green Onion Salad: A fresh and vibrant salad, like the green onion salad, offers a crisp contrast to the rich chicken and sauce.
• Italian Potato Salad: For a heartier side, an Italian Potato Salad complements the Mediterranean flavors beautifully.
• Pasta or Rice: Serve the chicken and its luscious sauce over a bed of al dente pasta (like linguine or fettuccine), creamy polenta, or fluffy white or brown rice to soak up every drop of that deliciousness.
• Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty baguette is perfect for mopping up the last bits of the balsamic tomato sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables: Simple roasted asparagus, green beans, broccoli, or zucchini make excellent healthy and easy accompaniments.
• Simple Side Salad: A basic mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a good choice.

For wine pairings, consider a medium-bodied red like a Chianti, Pinot Noir, or a Sangiovese, which will complement the rich tomato and balsamic flavors. If you prefer white wine, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Rosé would also be delightful.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes For Two

Craving more fantastic chicken dinners for two? Explore these other easy and delicious chicken recipes:

• One-Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Skillet
• Mushroom Rice Stuffed Chicken Breast
• Lemon Parmesan Chicken Rice Casserole
• Mediterranean Roasted Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
• Classic Chicken Pot Pie For Two
• Hearty Buffalo Chicken Chili

Originally published October 30, 2017. Updated and re-optimized for freshness and clarity.