What's For Dinner Wednesday: Tomato Basil Chicken

On Monday I shared a great meatless recipe for a cheesey baked spaghetti squash with tomatoes and basil. Since I'm on vacation this week, I thought it would be great to keep the recipes easy breezy for you this week. Today's recipe is another quick and easy dinner recipe that incorporates some of the same ingredients-- a perfect way to stretch your groceries a little further over the course of the week.

This tomato basil chicken is a dinner filled with some of my favorite healthy ingredients. Chicken is a blank slate for flavorful elements like tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar: a tried and true flavor combination. The sweet and savory tomato basil pan sauce dresses up a simple chicken breast nicely without tons of fat, calories, or carbs. And that makes me happy.

I really like serving this chicken over creamy polenta. It would also be delicious served with pasta or orzo, or even over some simple steamed rice.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 Tbs. butter
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 8 basil leaves, thinly sliced

Heat a medium skillet over medium high heat. Melt butter and olive oil in the pan and swirl to coat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides and saute in the pan until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to a plate.

Add shallots to the pan and saute, stirring frequently so that they soften, but don't brown. Cook for 3 minutes and then add garlic, cooking and stirring constantly for another 2 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and balsamic vinegar and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly. Add grape tomatoes to the pan and cook for another 8 minutes. The tomatoes should be softened, but not disintegrating.

Add chicken breasts back to the pan and cook in the sauce for 3 more minutes. Plate chicken breasts over pasta, rice, or polenta, and ladle the tomato mixture over the top. Sprinkle chopped basil on top and serve.


Looking for more easy chicken recipes? Try Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken or Lemon Grilled Chicken!